Order Fulfillment

Amazon Warns of Shipping Delays From Surge of Orders Sparked by Coronavirus Fears
March 4, 2020 at 3:08 pm

Amazon.com on Monday warned customers that both its Prime Now and Amazon Fresh services have been overwhelmed by demand sparked by coronavirus fears and would have limited availability, according to Bloomberg. This means shoppers’ orders are being delivered more slowly than usual due to an influx of virus-spooked shoppers who are turning to the world’s largest online retailer…

How to Make Free Shipping Profitable, Part 5
March 4, 2020 at 2:46 pm

Online shoppers weren’t really asking for free two-day delivery until Amazon.com made it available as part of its Prime membership in February 2005. That moment changed the e-commerce world forever. Amazon is at it again, now getting its customers addicted to free one-day delivery. Living up to this free and fast shipping expectation through your…

Most Consumers Would Buy Local if Offered This Amazon-Like Service
February 28, 2020 at 3:15 pm

In September 2019, Onfleet surveyed 1,000 US consumers to gather their impressions on online vs. local store shopping and delivery expectations. We were surprised to learn that most consumers would buy from local stores if those stores offered one Amazon.com-like service: same-day delivery. In an era when local stores are competing fiercely with Amazon and…

More Than Fulfillment: The Key Role 3PLs Play in Today’s Retail Landscape
February 26, 2020 at 1:54 pm

Traditionally recognized for managing fulfillment services, today’s top third-party logistics (3PLs) providers play a much larger role — one that remains supportive while providing exclusive insights and guidance. They serve as an extension of the retail operations team, coordinating distribution, helping create customer experiences, ensuring on-time and correct delivery, and, maybe most importantly, serving as…

Walmart Rolls Out Fulfillment Services for its Marketplace Sellers
February 25, 2020 at 1:46 pm

Walmart announced today that it's rolling out a new service called Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) that offers selected marketplace sellers access to its supply chain capabilities, including storing, picking, packing and shipping items, as well as the handling of returns and customer service. The retail giant said in a statement emailed to Total Retail that WFS…

What Retail Executives Will Focus on in 2020
January 28, 2020 at 11:47 am

As we move further into 2020, retail executives continue to respond to the ever-growing expectation for differentiated customer experiences and margin growth. North Highland’s annual Beacon survey of industry executives indicates that two themes will be top of mind for 2020: Customer Experience (CX): 93 percent of retail leader cite this as a 2020 strategic…

Top 5 Trends Influencing E-Commerce Fulfillment in 2020
January 27, 2020 at 12:13 pm

As e-commerce evolves, customer expectations to get what they want — when, where, and how they want it — will only continue to intensify and further challenge brands in 2020 and beyond. The times when search and price were the only criteria for purchasing decisions are gone, and retailers today need airtight e-commerce strategies that…

Delivery Will Define the Shopping Experience in 2020: How Retailers Can Keep Their Promises
January 23, 2020 at 2:36 pm

Order delivery is now a key component of the shopping experience. With retailers racing to match Amazon.com when it comes to speed and cost, it’s critical to manage expectations across the customer journey. By making accurate promises and investing in the tools that help keep them, merchants can win sales and earn loyalty. A recent…

Set Yourself Up for Retail Success in 2020 With Proper Fulfillment Planning
January 17, 2020 at 9:19 am

The rush of the holiday season has passed and your retail business is ready to dive headfirst into 2020 sales. If, like most retailers, you're planning to make this your best year yet, you're probably looking to significantly increase your volume of orders. It's a noble aspiration, however, if you're unprepared to meet these ever-growing…

Dude, Where’s My Order? The Secret to Avoiding Losses in Retail's Last Mile
January 14, 2020 at 11:28 am

There are many reasons an online order may fail to be completed, from bad weather to back-ordered product. And there’s always the chance the package ended up on your neighbor’s doorstep instead of yours. Whatever the reason, when a customer fails to receive their order, the cost adds up fast. The yearly cost of failed…