Last-Mile Delivery

  • A cargo ship carrying stacked containers is trapped by a fallen bridge in flames.
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    Leah Millis/Reuters

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    Supply Chains 2024: A year in pictures

    The industry saw significant upheaval, with a major container vessel crash, natural disasters and port and rail shutdowns. Here are some memorable moments.

    By , • Dec. 20, 2024
  • A FedEx delivery truck sits parked on June 25, 2019 in San Francisco, California.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    FedEx aims for ‘seamless’ customer transition with Freight spinoff

    The less-than-truckload unit aims to sustain or improve service levels while also bolstering its sales ranks.

    By • Dec. 20, 2024
  • Explore the Trendline➔
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    Adeline Kon/Supply Chain Dive
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    Trendline

    Peak season management

    Higher peak season surcharges are one risk for shippers to manage this year.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • Amazon warehouse workers carry signs in a picket line in front of an Amazon supply chain facility. The signs read: "Amazon is Unfair" and "Amazon: Obey the Law."
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Amazon warehouse workers on strike amid holiday rush

    The e-commerce giant said work stoppages at seven facilities have not impacted operations.

    By Daphne Howland • Dec. 20, 2024
  • A FedEx Freight truck is stationed at a dock door.
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    Courtesy of FedEx Freight
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    ‘The right time’: FedEx will spin off FedEx Freight LTL unit

    FedEx Freight will be separated from the parcel giant, creating a new publicly traded company, the board announced.

    By • Dec. 19, 2024
  • A medium-skinned person joins a protest, with pro-union signs in Spanish behind them
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    Stephanie Keith via Getty Images
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    Amazon faces Senate probe, strike threats over warehouse safety allegations

    “Our employees’ safety is and always will be our top priority,” an Amazon spokesperson said Monday.

    By Caroline Colvin • Dec. 18, 2024
  • A storefront with riding mowers, wheelbarrows and other garden equipment out front.
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    Courtesy of Tractor Supply
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    Tractor Supply plans big last-mile delivery upgrade

    The retailer’s multiyear initiative will lead to more bulky products delivered via its in-house network, Chief Supply Chain Officer Colin Yankee said.

    By • Dec. 17, 2024
  • A UPS worker in Manhattan delivers packages on his daily rounds on July 24, 2023 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    UPS to hike SurePost rates, delivery area surcharges

    The service will see higher increases compared to last year as it navigates higher demand and changes at the Postal Service, which it often relies on.

    By • Dec. 16, 2024
  • 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 • Dec. 16, 2024
  • A FedEx delivery truck is seen on August 07, 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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    Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    FedEx plans additional surcharge changes for 2025

    The carrier is adding a fee for processing inbound U.S. imports and delivery area surcharges for new ZIP codes, among other adjustments.

    By • Dec. 16, 2024
  • GLS parcel delivery trucks.
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    Permission granted by GLS
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    OnTrac, GLS US announce upcoming rate hikes

    The carriers are also implementing higher surcharges as they try to keep pace with FedEx and UPS' price increases.

    By • Dec. 12, 2024
  • A UPS worker delivers packages on December 26, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    FedEx, UPS’ 2025 fee hikes will wallop bulky package shippers

    Surcharges applied to larger products are outpacing other fee increases, parcel pricing experts say.

    By • Dec. 12, 2024
  • A package on a doorstep.
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    Tetiana Soares via Getty Images
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    Need a de minimis strategy? Here are 4 questions every shipper should ask.

    Shipping using Section 321 is not a good idea for every e-commerce company, logistics experts say.

    By • Dec. 12, 2024
  • U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy raises his right hand.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    USPS softens service targets as DeJoy takes heat from Congress

    The agency lowered its on-time delivery goals for fiscal year 2025 to 80% for some Postal Service offerings, igniting further criticism from lawmakers.

    By • Dec. 11, 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 discount retailer plans to rely more on self-owned distribution centers to boost performance and capacity.

    By • Dec. 10, 2024
  • A person runs while holding a Canadian Union of Postal Workers flag in front of a picket line.
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    Jennifer Gauthier/Reuters

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    Canada Post strike: What shippers should know

    The work stoppage is sparking shipping delays and capacity challenges at other carriers, disrupting the flow of holiday packages.

    By • Dec. 9, 2024
  • Best Buy expands delivery options.
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    Courtesy of Best Buy
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    Best Buy launches scheduled parcel delivery

    The capability, live in several U.S. markets, allows customers to schedule a two-hour delivery window up to a week in advance.

    By • Dec. 6, 2024
  • A worker organizes packages at a FedEx facility on December 21, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    FedEx plans North Carolina layoffs in Network 2.0 rollout

    The delivery giant is closing one ship center and trimming its workforce at another, impacting 341 employees.

    By • Dec. 5, 2024
  • A United Parcel Service worker delivers packages on April 29, 2020 in New York City.
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    Stephanie Keith via Getty Images
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    Parcel carriers poised for faster peak season deliveries

    November delivery speeds improved by 27% year over year amid better fulfillment and transit times, according to project44.

    By • Dec. 4, 2024
  • Cuts of meat are displayed.
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    Courtesy of MeatWorks
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    How MeatWorks cooked up a shipping expansion

    After finding the right combination of delivery speed and reliability, the company is adjusting to heightened demand.

    By • Nov. 27, 2024
  • A person picks up a group of packages on a doorstep.
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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    Parcel carrier Spee-Dee Delivery opts for no 2025 rate hike

    The Midwest-focused delivery provider won't increase base shipping charges and is eyeing coverage expansion next year.

    By • Nov. 26, 2024
  • An OnTrac delivery vehicle.
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    Permission granted by OnTrac
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    OnTrac financing deal paves way for further expansion

    The parcel carrier's agreement with lenders comes after heavy spending to grow its network.

    By • Nov. 22, 2024
  • Closeup of a storefront sign.
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    Daphne Howland/Supply Chain Dive
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    Target takes a Q3 beating from supply chain disruptions

    The retailer faced higher costs due to the strike at East and Gulf Coast ports and damaging storms in the Southeast.

    By • Nov. 22, 2024
  • Stacks of reusable plastic transport totes sit on plastic pallets in a warehouse.
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    luchunyu via Getty Images
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    The dual case for reusable transport packaging in supply chains

    Adopting reusables across the supply chain presents not just sustainability benefits, but also cost savings, according to speakers at Pack Expo International.

    By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 21, 2024
  • Person hands two blue bags to person at the front door of a residence.
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Walmart slashes US delivery costs by 40% per order

    Increased automation and more efficient driver routes helped the retail giant accomplish the feat for the third consecutive quarter.

    By • Nov. 20, 2024
  • Three customers shop at a Target store.
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    Courtesy of Target
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    Target’s supply chain investments power holiday season ambitions

    The retailer expects to quadruple its order processing output and ramp up next-day delivery at its sortation centers, including a Detroit facility it opened earlier this year. 

    By • Updated Nov. 20, 2024