Locus Robotics raises $150M

With more online shopping and social distancing requirements in warehouses, retailers are looking to robotics to meet greater demand.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 18, 2021

One year later: How COVID-19 upended retail and what it means for 2021

Temporary store closings in March were the kickoff to a brutal year, but businesses learned a few things about what it takes to stay afloat.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 16, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside retail supply chains

Companies looking to curry favor with customers, trim logistical expenses and improve efficiency, are reorganizing operations.

By Retail Dive staff

E-commerce warehouse productivity could improve up to 20% with greater automation: Prologis

Researchers estimate that the adoption of automation could reduce the demand for industrial real estate as existing facilities become more productive.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 11, 2021

Retail tech startup Tulip launches fulfillment tool

As retailers look for more convenient services to offer, the company wants to help retailers manage, track and deliver online orders directly from stores.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 9, 2021

Home Depot opens automated Dallas fulfillment center with hydrogen-powered forklifts

The facility is part of the retailer's $1.2 billion supply chain investment and includes six miles of mechanized lines. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 8, 2021

Family Dollar teams up with Instacart for same-day deliveries

The partnership is an expansion of a 275-store pilot that began in late 2020. The delivery platform will now be available at more than 6,000 stores.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 5, 2021

UPS prepares for long-term capacity squeeze, moves toward 'personalized pricing'

The peak season capacity shortfall experienced in 2020 is expected to continue in the new year, CEO Carol Tomé said Tuesday.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 3, 2021

Why a manufacturer is launching a DTC investment arm

Gelmart, a 70-year-old intimates maker that incubated Lively, will offer funding and supply chain support to brands in its wheelhouse.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 2, 2021

Walmart will add automated micro-fulfillment to dozens of stores

The retailer is also adding automated drive-thru pickup points at select stores that allow shoppers to drive up, scan a code and collect their order.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 28, 2021

Pick speed improves when AR replaces paper: study

The research suggests that some of the main benefits of the technology could be in training new workers and getting them up to speed more quickly.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 27, 2021

SKU'd: Want to slow down returns? Fix apparel sizing.

Clothing retail needs to do the boring work of helping customers understand what they are purchasing. 

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 27, 2021

Walmart positions itself as key COVID-19 vaccine provider for rural America

The retailer said it will be able to deliver as many as 13 million doses per month when supplies allow.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 26, 2021

4 elements of the next phase of last-mile delivery

The technologies to move retail delivery forward already exist. The next step is fully weaving last-mile services into the retail landscape.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 25, 2021

After the extremes of 2020, retail resilience means a new sense of what's possible

A pandemic exposed the industry's vulnerabilities and latent survival skills. To weather the next disaster, companies must be agile and take risk seriously.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 25, 2021

Costco is testing curbside pickup

After years of resisting the popular service, the club retailer is now offering it at three stores in New Mexico.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 20, 2021

FedEx announces Ground, Express surcharges beginning February, citing high volume

The announcement of new surcharges highlights how much FedEx plans to rely on these fees to manage its network moving forward.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 20, 2021

How Dick's and Wayfair connect consumers with real-time inventory data

The pandemic upped the stakes for data accuracy, as well as the velocity and volume at which it needed to flow.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 19, 2021

Getting sales tax ready for 2021: Simplifying sales tax compliance for retail companies

Given the lost revenue from COVID-19, states may consider looking for other revenue streams in the form of sales tax collections. Learn about the six key considerations when it comes to sales tax compliance in an ever-changing economic landscape. 

Jan. 19, 2021

UPS, Verizon, Skyward partner on 5G drone delivery in Florida

Many details on the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but the companies say 5G will be important to scaling delivery fleets.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2021

Walmart to test refrigerated boxes that store grocery orders outside homes

The secure, internet-connected units can hold items at various temperatures and use ultraviolet light to kill viruses, mold and mildew.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 13, 2021

Bed Bath & Beyond's COO says the company is pivoting to a 'common-sense' supply chain model

The supply chain overhaul, an expected $250 million investment, is part of what will bring the retailer back to sustainable growth, according to executives.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 11, 2021

FAA: New drone rules address safety, provide more operational flexibility

While the industry has seen a flurry of drone activity with UPS, Amazon Prime, Walmart and others, regulation and investment hurdles have precluded more widespread adoption for delivery operations.

By A.B. Brown • Jan. 7, 2021

UPS expects to break weekly returns record with nearly 9M returns

The uptick in e-commerce brought on by the pandemic has exacerbated consumer behaviors that generate returns.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 7, 2021

Amazon buys 11 planes to boost airfreight capacity

The aircraft purchases come at a time when airfreight procurement has become increasingly difficult, and e-commerce demand is soaring.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 6, 2021

Will the e-commerce boom be a bust this season?

An unprecedented number of packages are taxing retailers' ability to deliver. A lot are going to be late, and that will have consequences beyond the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 22, 2020