Order Fulfillment

3 Things Retailers Should Do Now to Prepare for Black Friday
October 5, 2023 at 2:15 pm

With the leaves turning colors and the arrival of cooler temperatures, retailers are turning their attention to ensuring their e-commerce systems are ready for holiday 2023. The complex, fluctuating economic conditions this year mean they’re facing a distinct set of challenges: ever-present inventory planning and delivery logistics challenges alongside a prediction of flat or modest…

Getting Up Close and Personal: Why it’s Time to Treat Customers as Individuals
September 26, 2023 at 9:18 am

The ongoing tough economic climate is seeing retailers constantly seeking ways to control costs while protecting the experience their customers expect. One interesting trend is the emergence of "nearshoring" â€” i.e., locating key operations closer to the final point of sale. Rather than having large, centralized warehouses, paying duty and customs charges, dealing with lengthy and…

Walmart, Wing Team Up to Provide Drone Delivery
August 28, 2023 at 4:32 pm

Walmart announced last week that it's teaming up with Wing, an on-demand drone delivery provider powered by Google’s parent company, Alphabet, to offer drone delivery from two stores in the Dallas metro area in the coming months. The move will enable the retail giant to deliver products to an additional 60,000 homes in under 30…

Back-to-School Promotions: Keeping Up With a New Generation of Shoppers Post-Click
August 24, 2023 at 11:30 am

Each year customers are getting younger. Savvy brands are now focusing their efforts on appealing to the next generation of shoppers, including tweens, teens and young adults. As of 2022, Gen Z (currently aged between nine and 24 years old) made up 20.88 percent of the U.S. population, so it makes sense that brands are turning…

5 Key Questions Brands Should Ask Before Signing a 3PL for Fulfillment This Peak Season
August 23, 2023 at 1:03 pm

While holiday shopping sprees are still months away, it’s prime time for brands to evaluate their fulfillment needs. Whether a brand is in the market for a new third-party logistics (3PL) partner or plans to bring on additional fulfillment support to manage peak season, it’s critical they conduct their due diligence now. Before diving head…

The Strategic Importance of Fulfillment Center Locations
August 22, 2023 at 6:08 pm

How much does a fulfillment center's geographical positioning matter in the grand scheme of things? And what role does third-party logistics, or 3PL, play? To understand what is a 3PL, let’s go over their basic task: 3PL providers offer services that encompass the entire supply chain management process, which includes warehousing and fulfillment. As competition…

Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail: Now is the Deadline to Get Your Peak Preparations in Order
August 15, 2023 at 12:46 pm

It’s no surprise that starting preparations for the upcoming peak season immediately after the last is the surest way for retailers to see peak season success. However, this is often easier said than done. Ongoing economic turmoil and supply chain pressures continue to force brands big and small to focus on the here and now, often leaving little room…

Amazon Boasts its 'Delivering at the Fastest Speed Ever'
July 31, 2023 at 6:11 pm

Amazon.com is delivering its largest selection of products to U.S. Prime members at the fastest speeds ever, according to a blog posted yesterday by Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores. "With more than 300 million items available with free Prime shipping and tens of millions of the most popular items available with free same-day or…

Building Trust on First-Class Delivery and Fulfillment in the Last Mile
July 6, 2023 at 11:36 am

Over the last few years, the norms of commerce, work and everyday life have been turned upside down, prompting customers and brands to re-establish how they connect. With 94 percent of customers saying that how they're treated influences their decision to buy from a company, it’s never been more critical to get the experience right.…

How Are Brands Adapting to Order Fulfillment Demands?
July 3, 2023 at 10:13 am

Today’s customers desire a friendly, efficient and dependable service. These changing behaviors compounded with new technology have increased overall consumer expectations. Indeed, customers expect a flawless shopping experience, whether it’s online or in-store. Retailers must be able to adapt and find new ways to fulfill orders effectively. In today's environment, retailers must employ a solid…