Pandemic parcel dynamics drive a new shipper hierarchy

In a world where parcel carriers choose which volume they carry, some shippers will win capacity and some will lose. Skill and investment will determine the winners.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 25, 2021

Making sense of the peak 2020 parcel mess

With peak 2020 in the past, parcel shippers are attempting to discern what led to degraded carrier service for some, but not all. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 25, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the trends affecting logistics management

The demise of the de minimis exception, trade tensions and tariffs are among the new challenges logistics managers are facing.  

By Supply Chain Dive staff

The past, present and future of pandemic e-commerce logistics

An erratic peak season gives way to the proliferation of same-day logistics startups and an emerging new hierarchy among shippers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 25, 2021

Gig economy emerges as key part of the parcel ecosystem

During the pandemic, Instacart, Postmates, Roadie, Shipt and others have moved into new roles, in many cases integrating into retailers' parcel portfolios as an alternative to traditional carriers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 25, 2021

California proposes points system to hold warehouses accountable for truck emissions

Road transport has been at the forefront of Southern California's emissions crackdown, but it's also one of the most challenging areas for supply chains to curb given the involvement of external parties.

By S.L. Fuller • Jan. 20, 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. 20, 2021

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

With peak season now in the rearview mirror, the announcement of the new surcharges highlights just how much FedEx plans to rely on these fees to manage its network moving forward.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 15, 2021

Loves Furniture declares bankruptcy following shipping issues, Penske Logistics dispute

Loves leadership says it has "too much inventory and too little cash" to operate its stores. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 13, 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

Damco is gone. Where do Maersk, freight forwarders and shippers go from here?

Shippers face a choice as they plan freight strategies: the simplicity of a single end-to-end provider or the reduced risk of a diversified carrier network.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 13, 2021

Walmart to test refrigerated boxes that store grocery deliveries 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

How DHL optimized packaging at warehouses to cut shipping costs

Determining the ideal mix of carton sizes uses information on items ordered, dimensions, carriers, destinations and shipping costs — all data that retailers and fulfillment centers collect frequently.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 12, 2021

CH Robinson, SAS bet real-time demand data can shorten freight bid windows

Demand doesn't change at the pace of an annual contract. The two companies will use their existing tools to drive more agile freight procurement.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 12, 2021

Warehouse rents could slow their climb in 2021 as construction boosts supply

Industrial rents in the U.S. went up an average of 4.6% from Q4 2019 to Q4 2020, setting a record high last year.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 12, 2021

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

The retailer's network of 30 cross docks will drastically reduce in number soon, making way for distribution centers, run by one or more third parties, COO John Hartmann said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 8, 2021

XPO Logistics pilots virtual reality for LTL cross-dock training

Using Oculus for Business, the firm saw higher productivity, better safety outcomes and reduced waste.

By Aman Kidwai , S.L. Fuller • Jan. 8, 2021

Suppliers struggle with labor availability, slowing deliveries: ISM

One company said the pandemic is affecting its suppliers' labor availability now more than in March, though the vaccine rollout provides a bit of optimism.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 7, 2021

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

As e-commerce took a larger share of overall commerce in 2020, returns increased and diffused out over the holiday shopping period.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 6, 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. 5, 2021

Using supplier data to measure and manage greenhouse gas impact

Making a notable difference requires the pursuit of science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets supported through measurement and participation by a myriad of supply chain stakeholders working in concert.

Jan. 4, 2021

Nike's Los Angeles warehouse reduces fulfillment cost per unit going into the holiday rush

Building fulfillment capacity has been at the center of Nike's supply chain strategy in 2020 as the company attempts to move away from wholesale distribution and toward direct sales to consumers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 23, 2020

UPS to reinstate pre-holiday peak surcharges mid-January

The surcharges on Ground Residential and SurePost will be based on flat volume rather than relative volume surge, meaning it's possible more shippers may be subject to surcharges come Jan. 17.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 22, 2020

FDA authorizes Moderna coronavirus vaccine, paving way for distribution

"We're starting our drumbeat of continuous execution of vaccine," said Army Gen. Gustave Perna, COO of Operation Warp Speed.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 18, 2020

Small, automated sort centers — and surcharges — are the future of FedEx

The build-out of smaller, last-mile sort centers is intended to bolster overnight service within FedEx Ground and act as a "relief valve for spillover sortation at peak," FedEx Ground CEO Henry Maier said. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 18, 2020

Pfizer vaccine deliveries turned around after becoming too cold

Real-time tracking alerted Pfizer to the temperature diversion. The returned doses number about 3,000, a spokesperson said.

By Matt Leonard • Updated Dec. 18, 2020