Ware2Go, Google partner on 'free and fast' e-commerce shipping

Based on an e-commerce customer's ZIP code, their proximity to nodes in Ware2Go's fulfillment network and real-time inventory availability, Google will automatically display whether an item is available for free one- or two-day shipping.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 28, 2020

Ulta to evaluate store fleet with omnichannel operations in mind

The retailer is expanding its ship-from-store program to 100 stores to increase fulfillment capacity and speed while "leveraging store labor and inventory," executives said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 28, 2020

McKinsey: Fashion industry needs deeper supplier collaboration to cut emissions

More than 70% of apparel and footwear emissions originate in the supply chain before most brands take possession of finished goods, according to the firm.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 27, 2020

Walmart: More than 2K suppliers are participating in Project Gigaton

A reduction in supply chain emissions is particularly important to meeting sustainability goals, because Scope 3 makes up nearly 89% of Walmart's total emissions.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 27, 2020

Direct-to-consumer sales could be the next big thing in the US retail market

The rise in online shopping is pushing brands to try the direct-to-consumer strategy.

Aug. 27, 2020

Split shipments hit Kohl's profitability in Q2

Store closures locked inventory in locations optimized for pre-pandemic store demand and not e-commerce, which grew 60% year over year in the quarter. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 20, 2020

Target cuts digital fulfillment cost per order 30% as same-day demand skyrockets

The growth and maturation of same-day services, along with updates to the e-commerce order fulfillment process, led to increased efficiency, according to COO John Mulligan.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 19, 2020

Reopening draws down inventory, but volatility expected for remainder of year

The total business inventories-to-sales ratio echoes trends seen throughout the pandemic: Apparel retailers are struggling to bring customers in while grocers are having a difficult time staying stocked.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 18, 2020

The strategy behind turning department stores into warehouses

Rumors are circulating about Amazon converting vacant department store space into fulfillment centers — a move experts say would round out its omnichannel approach.

By Jen A. Miller • Aug. 18, 2020

Stockouts hold Walmart back as e-commerce booms

CEO Doug McMillon said consumers briefly returned to the stock-up behaviors they displayed early in the pandemic, as COVID-19 cases spiked in pockets of the country.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 18, 2020

JD Logistics opens automated warehouse for bulky items, launches 1-hour delivery

Roughly one year after JD Logistics broke even, executives reported record sales volumes have improved efficiency and the service is now turning a profit. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 17, 2020

Analyst: Target's investments in store-centric fulfillment pay off

Retailers that invested in omnichannel strategies and inventory visibility were in the best position to quickly pivot to curbside pickup, ship from store and other methods to capture sales with stores closed, according to D.A Davidson.

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 17, 2020

Lowe's plans to add 50 cross docks, 4 fulfillment centers in pursuit of omnichannel supply chain

The addition of warehouses moves Lowe's away from a store-based home delivery model, which EVP of Supply Chain Don Frieson acknowledged is inefficient. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 12, 2020

Stores went dark. Online orders tripled. How Joann used its OMS to cope.

The retailer de-stressed its technology, and employees, as online traffic tripled typical holiday volumes. 

By Jen A. Miller • Aug. 11, 2020

Retail suppliers are still under strain — and it could hurt everyone

Stores are open, but vendors face longer payment terms and financial uncertainty, which could hit retail shelves just as the holidays ramp up.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 10, 2020

Ahold Delhaize's US digital sales soar 127% as consumers turn to online grocery delivery, pickup

To improve delivery profitability, the company is extending a micro-fulfillment center pilot program and ramping up its omnichannel investments to match consumer demand shifts.

By Jeff Wells • Aug. 5, 2020

New Clorox CEO tasked with increasing supply, staying in stock

Executives are "aggressively investing" to increase production capacity because, though sales are booming, stockouts are adversely affecting the company's share of the total market.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 4, 2020

Home Depot adds 3 warehouses as DIY demand grows

The pandemic has shifted consumer behavior and buying patterns, but it hasn't deterred Home Depot from its plan to invest in its distribution network.

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 4, 2020

Amazon prioritizes capacity over speed with peak approaching

A 50% increase in fulfillment, delivery and sortation space is intended to relieve pressure from soaring demand, but it won't fix the e-tailer's lagging delivery speed, according to CFO Brian Olsavsky. 

By Emma Cosgrove • July 31, 2020

XPO says tech, automation interest is leading shippers to outsource more of their supply chains

Executives said shippers need interim capacity to handle demand spikes during the pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • July 31, 2020

Mondelez plans 25% SKU cut to sustain pandemic market share growth

As competitors' supply chains catch up from pandemic-related production slowdowns, CEO Dirk Van de Put said a SKU reduction would help the company maintain its gains.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 30, 2020

Harley-Davidson revamps inventory management, cuts production

The new plans are part of a broader restructuring strategy after Harley-Davidson's retail sales slid almost 27% compared to the same time last year.

By Matt Leonard • July 29, 2020

Grocery supply chains must invest in automation as delivery becomes the norm

As grocers cut costs, smaller staffs will be stretched by increasing delivery demands. Technology can fill the gap, writes Avery Dennison VP Ryan Yost. 

By Ryan Yost • July 28, 2020

Shippers eye struggling retail properties for conversion to last-mile, fulfillment centers

A shift to online shopping during the coronavirus outbreak has accelerated the trend of retailers retrofitting store properties for supply chain functions.

By Morgan Forde • July 28, 2020

FreshDirect, Fabric to launch micro-fulfillment-powered grocery delivery in DC-area

Expanded service and a same-day offering will kick off later this year from a 10,000-square-foot setup inside a Maryland distribution facility.

By Jeff Wells • July 28, 2020