Shippers outline plans to avert holiday delivery snafus

Year-long communication with retailers and last-minute hiring plans should enable UPS and FedEx to handle a predicted surge in holiday e-commerce.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 28, 2015

FedEx predicts shipments to surge this holiday season

The shipping company will beef up workforce to handle record volume increases in the era of online shopping.

By Barbara Thau • Oct. 27, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside retail supply chains

Companies looking to trim expenses and streamline operations during a crutial year for supply chain management. 

By Retail Dive staff

Wal-Mart seeks permission to test delivery drones

Wal-Mart’s application comes as companies are pressuring the FAA to establish rules for the commercial use of drones.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 27, 2015

REI to close on Black Friday (Yes, Black Friday)

The outdoor and sportswear retailer, a privately held co-operative, has launched the hashtag #OptOutside to coincide with its decision. 

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 27, 2015

Is Amazon a shipping company?

Amazon is a retailer and a tech company. But its innovative and often superior fulfillment in many ways makes it a shipper, too.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2015

UPDATE: Target to offer free holiday shipping, again

Free shipping is an expensive but critical way to keep holiday consumers from shopping elsewhere.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2015

Two years after Rana Plaza, garment factories in Bangladesh remain unsafe

Quartz reports that fire hazards and structural weaknesses in buildings still remain.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2015

Wal-Mart streamlining stores, targeting higher-income shoppers

But the question remains: Is all that going to help Wal-Mart meet its new goals?

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2015

Cabela's rethinking expansion

The outdoor and hunting gear retailer said Thursday it’s slowing its expansion after finding that its new superstores are stealing sales from existing stores.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 23, 2015

Amazon weighing package delivery via newspaper couriers: WSJ

The expense of delivery has become a particular thorn in Amazon's side.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 22, 2015

Bucking the trend, Amazon boosting holiday hiring by 25%

While many retailers are keeping their holiday hiring even with last year, Amazon will add 100,000 seasonal jobs. 

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 21, 2015

TPP could speed up Vietnam-based apparel manufacturing

But could that create a “retail funk” in China?

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 20, 2015

UPS targets marketplace sellers with new fee

The shipper will now assess a 2.5% surcharge on third-party shipments. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Oct. 19, 2015

Retailers speeding up holiday shipments to avoid past delays

Robots and algorithms are shaving off fulfillment time in and out of the warehouse as e-commerce orders are expected to rise this holiday season.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 19, 2015

Ikea CEO admits company was late to e-commerce

The Swedish retailer wants to quintuple its e-commerce business in five years.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Oct. 15, 2015

UberRush launches as same-day delivery space heats up

The move could be a great boon to smaller merchants who are looking to compete with the larger retailers boosting their omnichannel fulfillment options.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 15, 2015

PayPal rolls out free holiday returns for US shoppers

This is a significant level of buyer protection that could convince more online shoppers to use PayPal’s e-commerce payment services.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 14, 2015

Kohl's expands same-day delivery as holiday rush nears

Shoppers may take advantage of in-store pickup and various delivery options to avoid crowded holiday shopping.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 13, 2015

More retailers are offering free returns, and paying for it

The option is seen as a way to compete with brick-and-mortar stores, but costs are increasing.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 12, 2015

Amazon expands college pickup services

Though still nascent, Amazon’s growing college program is a significant challenge to Barnes & Noble Education.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 8, 2015

Overstocks an expensive problem heading into the holidays

Overstocks lead to $471.9 billion in lost revenue each year, according to research from IHL Group and DynamicAction.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 7, 2015

Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement reached

For U.S. retailers, the pact is mostly seen as opening new business opportunities.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 5, 2015

How enhanced layaway programs lure holiday shoppers

Better terms and an extended holiday season mean customers won't miss out.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Oct. 1, 2015

UPS looking to learn more about marketplace e-commerce sales

The shipping company is investing in Ally to learn more about sales that allow manufacturers to bypass the middleman, aka retailers.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 1, 2015

Wal-Mart expanding grocery pickup service to more cities

The move comes as Amazon Fresh and other same-day grocery delivery startups are also expanding across the country.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 30, 2015