Parcel 2020: The year of surcharges, volume caps and peak on top of peak

E-commerce shipments started to flood logistics networks as early as May.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 18, 2020

FedEx extends endless peak into 2021 with new SmartPost, oversize surcharges

Peak surcharges have been the norm since June, and FedEx is the first, but likely not the last, to confirm that they will not end with 2020. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 17, 2020

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

Retailers did not achieve 1-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

Ultra-cold freezer sourcing up 522% with vaccine logistics underway: Thomas

The Thomas Index Report reported a 464% increase in sourcing, compared to Q3 numbers.

By A.B. Brown • Dec. 16, 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. 16, 2020

COVID-19 vaccine supply chain has cyberthreats hidden in plain sight

The one thing all supply chain operators and pharmaceutical companies essential to vaccine distribution have in common is cyberthreats. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Dec. 16, 2020

Peak season fulfillment fuels BOPIS growth at Walmart, Target

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

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 14, 2020

Coronavirus vaccine distribution by the numbers

Millions of doses, thousands of flights, hundreds of cold storage locations — and one race to vaccinate the world.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 14, 2020

Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine is FDA-authorized. How the supply chain has been preparing for this moment.

Federal officials have been meeting with distribution partners since the summer to participate in table-top vaccine delivery exercises.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 11, 2020

FedEx, UPS collaborate on VIP treatment for coronavirus vaccine deliveries

FedEx Express Regional President of the Americas Richard Smith noted that peak-season volume will largely travel on the company's Ground network while the vaccines will use its Express operation.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 11, 2020

Why analysts say the time is right for XPO to become 2

External factors and CEO Bradley Jacobs' endgame makes this move "smart," one expert said.

By Jim Stinson • Dec. 9, 2020

The Supply Chain Dive Awards for 2020

From Target to 3M, these are the companies and executives that shaped supply chains during this unprecedented year.

By Supply Chain Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Supplier of the year: 3M

The supplier is making more N95 respirators than ever before. Pre-pandemic surge capacity and a focus on real-time visibility enabled the quick shift.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 9, 2020

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

The capacity constraints 3PLs are facing during peak season have been widely reported, but expanded networks are expected to benefit retailers when it comes time to process returns through warehouse networks.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 8, 2020

Boyle Transportation: 'Wicked tight' capacity challenges the vaccine supply chain

Inventory restocking and a slowed pipeline of new drivers is converging with a condensed vaccine development timeline.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 7, 2020

FedEx will partner with McKesson on vaccine distribution, expand cold storage locations by 28% in 2021

Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday the federal government believes it is days away from beginning to distribute "tens of millions" of vaccine doses.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 4, 2020

LaserShip ups automation in NYC region as national carriers refuse pickups

The role of regional carriers in the e-commerce landscape has grown in 2020 as national carriers are stretched to their limits and institute surcharges to compensate.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 4, 2020

FedEx's ShopRunner acquisition provides access to e-commerce marketplace data

The deal, which aims to help the carrier expand its e-commerce capabilities, is expected to close by the end of the year.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 3, 2020

A tale of hand sanitizer: How the ethanol supply chain pivoted for COVID-19

Raw material inputs for hand sanitizer were plentiful. But manufacturing capabilities, government regulations, packaging and tankers are a different story.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 3, 2020

XPO Logistics names contract-logistics business GXO

The company's spinoff splits it into two: a global LTL carrier and transport broker, and a provider of third-party logistics.

By S.L. Fuller • Updated March 18, 2021

Pitney Bowes offers same-day delivery as fast as 2 hours with gig economy last-mile partners

The launch of same-day service is an early sign of the gig economy penetrating the small parcel market.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 2, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond works to catch up to decades of supply chain modernization in 3 years

Starting with what one analyst called a "primitive" supply chain, the retailer has nowhere to go but up. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 2, 2020

Pfizer's vaccine transport requires more than just reefer trucks

Carriers will draw on years of experience in pharma logistics, specialized deliveries and even transporting ice cream.

By Jim Stinson • Dec. 2, 2020

Micro-fulfillment: Where it works for supply chains — and where it doesn't

The model offers close access to consumers, but executing it can be a challenge, especially without technology to track and manage decentralized inventory.

By Jen A. Miller • Dec. 1, 2020

Port of Rotterdam warns of no transport if Brexit paperwork incomplete

The Customs Administration of the Netherlands expects a 20% to 30% increase in declarations for imported and exported cargo following Brexit.

By A.B. Brown • Dec. 1, 2020