Shipping

Small Businesses Should Be Diversifying Their Supply Chains, Too
April 2, 2024 at 11:24 am

Businesses are constantly having to navigate unexpected issues with their shipping processes and the real consequences that come to their bottom line. From upstream disruptions such as havoc in international waters that clog ports and upend access to goods, to downstream disruptions like inclement weather that mess with on-time-delivery (OTD) rates, the supply chain asโ€ฆ

DoorDash Adds Lowe's as First Home Improvement Retail Partner
April 1, 2024 at 7:15 pm

DoorDash has entered the home improvement category with a new partnership with Loweโ€™s Companies. The delivery aggregator announced yesterday that it will offer on-demand delivery from more than 1,700 Lowes' stores nationwide. This partnership marks DoorDashโ€™s first foray into the home improvement category and builds on the significant selection offerings on the platform, with more than 99โ€ฆ

Retailโ€™s Great Balancing Act and Why Crowdsourcing is Key
March 14, 2024 at 11:59 am

Consumers want convenience, personalization and value โ€” itโ€™s what pushed the U.S. retail market to a record $5.13 trillion in 2023. As inflation subsides, what shoppers want and how they spend will keep playing a big role in how the market evolves. Retailers need to keep pace with a more connected, savvy and discerning customerโ€ฆ

No Fast Shipping? No Problem. How SMBs Can Navigate the Amazon Effect
February 27, 2024 at 2:21 pm

COVID-19 may have started the fire, but the online shopping boom is showing no signs of burning out. As consumer expectations grow alongside this blazing industry, many are placing a stronger focus on the shipping experience itself. This is why retail giants like Amazon.com are making fast and free shipping incentives table stakes, with recentโ€ฆ

Emerging Technologies in Last-Mile Delivery
February 7, 2024 at 9:40 am

The explosive growth in e-commerce that flowed from the COVID-19 pandemic has made last-mile delivery more important than ever in the retail industry. Companies that meet consumer expectations when it comes to last-mile delivery will be well-positioned to thrive. Meeting those expectations, however, is easier said than done, as consumers want delivery to be fast,โ€ฆ

Beyond the Cart: Top Trends Shaping the Delivery Experience
January 25, 2024 at 10:58 am

E-commerce brands have been through a tumultuous few years. The pandemic in 2020 brought a surge in online shopping which has never subsided. As consumers have increased their online purchases, their expectations for low cost, simple, fast and reliable delivery have also grown. Retailers are recognizing that the delivery experience can have a huge impactโ€ฆ

The Evolution of Same-Day Delivery: How E-Commerce Brands Are Meeting Instant Gratification Needs
January 22, 2024 at 2:32 pm

Traditional delivery methods, once the norm in e-commerce, are rapidly being replaced by a standard that prioritizes immediacy. Retail giants and small businesses alike have recognized that today's consumers expect their online purchases to arrive not in days, but hours. This seismic shift is redefining logistics, compelling companies to innovate and adapt at breakneck speedsโ€ฆ

Is This the Beginning of the End for Free Shipping?
January 15, 2024 at 11:49 am

Shipping, and whether or not itโ€™s free, has been the de-facto decision maker for online shopping conversions ever since Amazon.com introduced its Prime membership in 2005. What started out as a way for non-Amazon retailers to remain competitive and to incentivize shoppers to buy more online has now become a very expensive customer expectation. Inโ€ฆ

3 Things You Need to Know About the 2023 Holiday Shopper
November 29, 2023 at 11:24 am

After a rollercoaster year, we've arrived at the 2023 holiday season. With economic fluctuations and unpredictable shopper trends, forecasting consumer behavior is more challenging than ever before. Thatโ€™s why ShipStation compiled insights from over 8,000 shoppers and businesses around the globe to help merchants understand consumersโ€™ most up-to-date needs and how they can fulfill themโ€ฆ

Maximizing Peak Season Potential: Going Beyond Carrier Diversification
November 28, 2023 at 10:06 am

The digital age has fundamentally transformed the retail landscape. As we adapt to the new era dominated by e-commerce, where approximately 20 percent of all retail transactions are made online (and growing every year), it's crucial to also recognize and adapt to shifting consumer behaviors and preferences โ€” especially during peak season. This high-stakes periodโ€ฆ