Walmart and Amazon launch return options as some predict holiday onslaught

The retail giants are vying to be the most convenient option not just for buying but also for sending goods back. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 21, 2020

USPS experiencing 'historic' volume of packages

The agency is also undergoing a temporary employee shortage due to the COVID-19 surge and warns of short-term delays. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 18, 2020

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

Amazon, Walmart tout last-minute holiday delivery options

In a year when the industry worked to get the season started early, the retail giants are encouraging customers to shop as late as Christmas Eve.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 17, 2020

Retailers did not achieve one-day delivery in 2020: study

Companies took about three days to fulfill orders, while brick-and-mortar locations leveraged BOPIS and curbside pickup services.  

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 17, 2020

Sam's Club equips its fulfillment operations with robotic pickers

The retailer has adopted the use of autonomous mobile robots in its new Southern California fulfillment center for e-commerce orders.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Dec. 17, 2020

Walmart to take middle-mile trucks driverless in Arkansas

Since the retailer began its self-driving pilot with Gatik last year, the trucks have traveled more than 70,000 operational miles in autonomous mode.

By Rosie Bradbury • Dec. 17, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond, Shipt partner on same-day delivery promotion

Free, same-day delivery will be available for a limited time as part of an effort to help customers beat the holiday shipping rush. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2020

Retailers' best e-commerce asset may be their brick-and-mortar stores

In a rare vulnerability for Amazon, research is piling up that customers want omnichannel services for both shopping and returns. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 14, 2020

Chico's rolls out same-day delivery

With more consumers shopping online this year, Chico's and its sister brands join other retailers in launching services to fulfill orders quickly.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 11, 2020

Package delay rate could be up to 2 times worse this holiday season: report

Densely populated areas including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are expected to face record delays. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 10, 2020

CBRE: Holiday sales expected to generate $70.5B in returns

Logistics providers face capacity constraints during peak season, but expanded networks should help retailers with returns after the holidays. 

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 9, 2020

Best Buy extends curbside pickup hours for holiday shopping

In a holiday season where online is king, the electronics retailer is preparing for increased orders with more delivery options.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 8, 2020

Walmart to lay off more than 1,200 in omnichannel reorganization

The retailer announced in July layoffs were imminent. Execs said new supply chain positions would open as it moves to blend store and online operations.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 1, 2020

Best Buy tests limited SKUs on store floor to make space for fulfillment

The retailer will add 90 ship-from-store hubs during the holiday season, supplementing the 250 ship-from-store locations it piloted in September.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 30, 2020

Ahead of Black Friday, retailers brace for online returns

Companies have been proactive in preparing for a season where e-commerce is king. Will it be enough? Seven experts weigh in.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 25, 2020

Walmart adds to its last-mile arsenal with acquisition of startup assets

The retailer will purchase select properties, including talent and technology, from peer-to-peer delivery firm JoyRun.

By Jeff Wells • Nov. 24, 2020

With relatively few stores, Amazon touts holiday pickup options

The e-commerce giant is suddenly at something of a disadvantage as fulfillment promptness remains a worry.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 23, 2020

La-Z-Boy manufacturing comeback stunted by raw materials shortage

Low supply of an essential component affected the entire furniture industry and led to stockouts during a period when furniture demand was up.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 20, 2020

Simon malls to serve as drop-off return locations

With a heavily online holiday season ahead, the mall owner has partnered with Narvar to accept returns from about two dozen brands.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 19, 2020

Joann rolls out BOPIS tech that identifies order pickup time

The retailer introduced technology that gives a customer ETA on pickups and prioritizes fulfillment based on those arrival times.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 18, 2020

Best Buy taps Instacart for same-day deliveries

The platform will now also guarantee high-priced purchases delivered from the retailer.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 17, 2020

Amazon expands in-garage delivery to 4K cities

The company is also adding grocery options in five cities, which allows Prime members to receive orders from Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh to their garage.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 16, 2020

The implications of shipping direct to consumer

On top of high costs, fast and free delivery expectations, and returns, brands also put customer retention at risk by forfeiting control over the last mile.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 16, 2020

Walmart adds 'pop-up' e-commerce distribution centers for the holidays

The model provides flexibility, allowing the retailer to increase capacity when it's experiencing peak-level volume and scale down when demand dissipates.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 13, 2020

Walmart taps self-driving vehicle startup Cruise for autonomous deliveries

The collaboration is part of the mass merchant's effort to modernize deliveries and lessen environmental impact.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 12, 2020