As merchants search for ways to contend with the behemoth of Amazon – which accounted for about half of ecommerce sales in 2017 – many are focusing on the last mile, returns and outsourcing to battle back. This MCM Outlook report, based on our annual survey of Multichannel Merchant readers, looks at trends and stats in all three areas.
Moving from third-party fulfillment to opening an in-house ecommerce fulfillment center is a massive endeavor. This case study of how one DTC company got it done will provide useful examples as you evaluate the planning and startup challenges for your own new facility.
A perfect storm is forming that may batter your 2018 fulfillment strategy: The major federal tax overhaul, longer lead times for capital projects and the scarcity of warehouse space. To help you survive and thrive, here are 5 recommendations that will help you meet these challenges and turn them into opportunities.
Given both macro trends in the economy and micro trends in the direct-to-customer industry, there are things you need to be doing and keeping an eye on in terms of warehouse labor. Following these 3 imperatives will help set you up for success in 2018.
To avoid uncertainty and lessen the risk of disappointing customers, 30% of retailers opted not to provide a guaranteed shipping date for orders to arrive before Christmas 2017, according to a study conducted by Kurt Salmon, a unit of Accenture.
A strong-performing fulfillment provider can be a valuable partner, while a subpar provider can seriously impact your operations, taking a real toll on your merchant business and your bottom line. Here are some marks of a poor provider to help you avoid the pitfalls, as well as what to look for in a strong provider.
Successful merchant businesses learn quickly how to provide good customer service at the lowest possible costs. Here are 5 imperatives that emerging companies need to focus on to establish timely and efficient direct-to-customer fulfillment processes.
Relocating your fulfillment operations is disruptive and can be challenging for employees even in the most organized businesses. Developing plans that all stakeholders collaborate on and buy into will help you minimize lost employee time and remain focused.
Taking a DIY approach to warehouse robotics, Boxed.com has developed its own autonomous ground vehicle (AGV) to help associates with picking, gaining operational efficiency.
In a surprising move, bpost, the Belgian postal service, announced plans to acquire U.S.-based third-party logistics and ecommerce software firm Radial for $820 million, as it looks to expand its client base here with Radial’s broad omnichannel, logistics, and fulfillment capabilities.