Logistics

  • A Walmart storefront showcases its refreshed brand identity, with a new typeface and the spark logo set apart as a standalone asset.
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    Permission granted by Walmart
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    Walmart tests dark stores

    As the retailer accelerates its delivery efforts, the brick-and-mortar locations will fulfill online orders — but are not open to the public. 

    By • June 25, 2025
  • A return of a Shein item leveraging UPS' Happy Returns occurs at a Forever 21 location.
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    Permission granted by Happy Returns
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    Free returns are often a deal breaker for consumers

    Most consumers expect free returns as a standard offering, according to a Rithum survey. 

    By Michael Brady • June 24, 2025
  • Container yard port Explore the Trendline➔
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    Courtesy of DHL
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    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
  • A delivery van drives down a rural road.
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Amazon aims to speed up delivery to 4K rural communities by end of year

    The e-commerce giant is spending more than $4 billion to expand its network into sparsely populated areas, a challenge to Tractor Supply.

    By • June 24, 2025
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    Permission granted by SCAYLE
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    Sponsored by SCAYLE

    The abandonment epidemic is real

    81% of shoppers abandon brands. Learn what’s driving the epidemic & how to treat churn with unified tech, transparent pricing, and loyalty that sticks.

    June 2, 2025
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    istockphoto.com/shapecharge

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    Sponsored by SPS Commerce

    The $158B supply chain gap: why connection matters in times of uncertainty

    Uncertain times reveal supply chain fragility. Here’s how retailers can build resilient connections.

    June 2, 2025
  • In this photo illustration, the Temu app is displayed on a smartphone on Feb. 4, 2025 in San Anselmo, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    How lower China tariffs will affect direct-to-consumer imports

    Temporarily reduced duties likely won't be enough to stop ongoing shifts among de minimis-reliant supply chains, experts said.

    By Max Garland • May 27, 2025
  • Consumer in a store reading the label of product.
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    Shutterstock / Ground Picture

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    Sponsored by WSI (Warehouse Specialists, LLC)

    How to expand from DTC to retail without the growing pains

    Retail expansion demands a new level of supply chain readiness. Here’s what brands need to know.

    By WSI • May 27, 2025
  • blank shipping box on the house porch. home delivery service
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    ronstik via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Roadie

    Stop driving customers away with poor last-mile delivery experiences

    Last-mile delivery represents the final opportunity to win or lose customer loyalty and repeat purchases. But many retailers aren’t seeing high-quality performance from their on-demand solutions.

    April 28, 2025
  • Packages with the Target logo are loaded into a vehicle by a person.
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    Courtesy of Target
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    Target tests new delivery method for Shipt drivers

    The initiative involves couriers bringing "brown box" shipments from stores to customers in locations lacking a sortation center.

    By Max Garland • March 24, 2025
  • A container ship sits docked at the Port of Oakland on Dec. 9, 2024.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Retailers to continue frontloading amid tariff tumult: forecast

    A sustained cargo surge at U.S. ports will continue as Trump administration policy uncertainty continues, per the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates' Global Port Tracker.

    By Philip Neuffer • March 11, 2025
  • A BNSF executive speaks at a committee hearing in Washington D.C.
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    Retrieved from U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on February 28, 2025
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    Cargo theft reaching record levels, prompting calls for congressional action

    “I've never seen cargo theft this prevalent,” Robert Howell, chief supply chain officer at Academy Sports and Outdoors, said during a hearing.

    By Alejandra Carranza • March 10, 2025
  • President Donald Trump addresses reporters during a press briefing at the White House on March 3, 2025.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Trump’s trade war heats up as countries retaliate against tariffs

    Mexico, Canada and China all announced they would counter the president's orders after additional duties went into effect this week.

    By Philip Neuffer , Edwin Lopez , Max Garland • March 4, 2025
  • Export freight containers with Mexican produced goods are seen ready to be shipped to the U.S. in the Pantaco customs complex on June 7, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico.
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    Hector Vivas via Getty Images
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    Trump delays de minimis’ end for Canada, Mexico products

    The exemption will remain even with new tariffs set to take effect Tuesday as the White House pursues better methods to collect duties from low-cost goods.

    By Max Garland • March 3, 2025
  • President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Feb. 26, 2025.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Canada and Mexico tariffs will take effect March 4, Trump confirms

    The president will also impose an additional 10% import tax on China next week and hinted at plans to soon levy 25% duties on the European Union.

    By Philip Neuffer • Feb. 27, 2025
  • Dollar General opens a distribution center in Arkansas.
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    Courtesy of Dollar General
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    Dollar General opens distribution center in Arkansas

    The North Little Rock facility will support the company’s traditional supply chain, DG Fresh network and DG Private Fleet. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 25, 2025
  • People purchase souvenirs at the Barbie Dreamhouse Experience on May 16, 2013 in Berlin, Germany.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Mattel leverages diversified supply chain amid new China tariffs

    China will represent less than 40% of the toymaker’s global production in 2025 — down from 50% last year.

    By Haley Cawthon • Feb. 24, 2025
  • A police officer walks near cocaine seized from a cargo ship at a Philadelphia port during a news conference at the U.S. Custom House on June 21, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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    Eduardo Munoz Alvarez via Getty Images
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    De minimis exemption temporarily returns for products from China

    Duty-free treatment for sub-$800 products will end again once systems are put in place to collect tariff revenue more effectively, per the White House.

    By Max Garland • Feb. 10, 2025
  • A cargo vessel near the Port of Charleston in South Carolina
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    Permission granted by SC Ports/Marion Bull
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    Tariffs may add to ‘a toxic brew for consumers’

    Retailers and consumers will feel added pressure if proposed tariffs are implemented, industry analysts and experts told Retail Dive.

    By Nate Delesline III • Jan. 17, 2025
  • External shot of the Crate & Barrel flagship store in New York City.
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    Courtesy of Crate & Barrel
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    How can stores compete with speedy delivery? By slowing down.

    Stores should stop trying to compete on e-commerce’s turf and focus on the sensory details and customer service unique to brick and mortar, according to WD Partners’ Lee Peterson.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
  • Amazon CEO Andy Jassy
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    Noah Berger/Getty Images for Amazon Web Services via Getty Images
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    Amazon to focus on inclusion, internal memo indicates

    The changes outlined are vague, but Amazon has taken its previously strong commitments to Black and LGBTQ+ people off of its policy page.

    By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 15, 2025
  • Returned items being prepared for an outbound shipment at a Happy Returns hub.
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    Courtesy of Happy Returns
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    Returns — and their challenges — are rising. Here’s how retailers are responding.

    Companies face a multifaceted balancing act of controlling costs, stopping fraud and maintaining engagement and flexibility for customers.

    By Nate Delesline III • Jan. 15, 2025
  • The outside of a standalone Ulta Beauty store.
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    patty_c via Getty Images
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    Ulta taps Instacart for same-day delivery

    Through the partnership, customers can receive beauty products in as little as one hour and earn loyalty points on orders.

    By Howard Ruben • Jan. 10, 2025
  • Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard stand with a signed decree affecting apparel duties.
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    Courtesy of Presidencia de la Republica
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    Mexico restricts duty-free apparel imports

    The rule change will significantly impact foreign fashion brands and third-party logistics providers using Mexico for de minimis shipments to the U.S.

    By Edwin Lopez • Jan. 6, 2025
  • The outside of a Best Buy store.
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    Bruce Bennett / Staff via Getty Images
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    Best Buy leans on distribution upgrades for faster delivery

    The electronics retailer opened a new distribution center in Texas and upgraded technology at a New York facility.

    By Philip Neuffer • Dec. 19, 2024
  • A Dollar General storefront with a sign that reads: "Dollar General".
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Dollar General scales back on temporary warehouses

    The retailer plans to rely more on self-owned distribution centers to boost performance and capacity.

    By Philip Neuffer • Dec. 16, 2024