Last-Mile Delivery

  • An employee removes packages from a moving conveyor belt in a loading area of a UPS facility.
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    UPS: Over two-thirds of US volume now handled by automated locations

    The carrier is increasing its use of automation in a bid to reduce package handling costs and more flexibly adjust capacity.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • A person in a UPS uniform walks by a UPS vehicle carrying a stack of packages.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    UPS CEO outlines edge versus Amazon’s competing service

    Amazon can best handle lightweight, short-distance volume in urban areas, while UPS has strengths in “every other place," Carol Tomé said.

    By • July 28, 2026
  • Shipping containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles on February 7, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

    Here’s how companies are navigating evolving global trade and tariff policies, rising costs and operational uncertainty across supply chain networks.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • DHL delivery vehicles sit on either side of a long conveyor belt which transports packages down the line.
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    Kelly Stroh/Supply Chain Dive
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    DHL Express to lower import, export fuel surcharge calculations

    The reduction of 2 percentage points runs counter to the fuel fee increases other parcel carriers have installed in recent quarters.

    By • July 27, 2026
  • A worker loads packages into a FedEx truck on June 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    FedEx unveils 2026 peak season fees, higher home delivery prices loom

    The carrier's holiday surcharges, which apply across various shipping services, will be higher than they were last year.

    By • July 23, 2026
  • Two smiling people, one with a dog on a leash and the other with a shopping cart, walk away from a store entrance.
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    Courtesy of Tractor Supply
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    Tractor Supply taps Instacart for same-day delivery

    The partnership adds to various last-mile upgrades the retailer has deployed in recent months.

    By • July 22, 2026
  • Close up view of a U.S. Postal Service priority mail shipping box.
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    Brett Carlsen via Getty Images
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    USPS launches smart locker service for local transactions

    Local XChange offers a secure package storage option for buyers and sellers on online marketplaces, the agency said.

    By • July 22, 2026
  • A UPS worker in Manhattan delivers packages on his daily rounds on July 24, 2023 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Fuel surcharges wallop FedEx, UPS shippers as Amazon looms

    With customers facing elevated fees and seeking discounts, Amazon’s delivery services could impact market pricing in the long term, per the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index.

    By • July 20, 2026
  • A person brings Walmart bags inside their house.
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Rapid delivery cements itself as a ‘mainstream’ grocery option, report says

    Retailers are partnering with Instacart and DoorDash, while major retailers like Walmart and Amazon operate their own services.

    By Peyton Bigora • July 15, 2026
  • UPS cargo being loaded or unloaded from an airplane
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    Courtesy of UPS
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    Should the Postal Service reassess its UPS air contract?

    The USPS Office of Inspector General suggested the agency consider if a new deal is the best path forward as it struggles to meet minimum volume requirements.

    By • July 14, 2026
  • Amazon ecommerce agentic commerce Stripe online retail
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    Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo via Getty Images
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    Amazon announces 2026 holiday fulfillment fees, advises early shipping

    The company's ongoing 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge will apply to the peak season fees, which start Oct. 15.

    By • July 13, 2026
  • A delivery van drives down a rural road.
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Amazon Shipping looks to snag FedEx, UPS customers with low pricing

    Fewer surcharges are among the tactics the service is using to gain market share after opening to all businesses earlier this year, experts said.

    By • July 9, 2026
  • A U.S. Postal Service employee transports parcels for distribution inside a facility.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    USPS chief wants agency to improve end-to-end shipping visibility

    The agency's efforts to boost transparency include using Bluetooth devices to identify bottlenecks for high-value shippers, a spokesperson said.

    By • July 2, 2026
  • Several Stirling Ultracold freezers are lined up side by side.
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    Courtesy of UPS
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    UPS boosts healthcare network with $48M cross-dock investment

    The carrier has opened and upgraded several temperature-controlled facilities near airports to strengthen its cold-chain transportation capabilities.

    By • June 30, 2026
  • The exterior of an Advance Auto Parts store in a parking light with a blue sky above it.
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    M. Suhail via Getty Images
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    Advance Auto Parts expands OneRail partnership for same-day fulfillment

    The retailer and software company have worked together since 2022 to help coordinate delivery decisions and routing processes, OneRail Founder and CEO Bill Catania said.

    By • June 30, 2026
  • U.S. Postal Service mail carrier delivers mail.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    How USPS shippers can navigate changes to pricing, parcel measurements

    Customers have ways to mitigate cost pressures that may stem from dimensional reporting tweaks and sub-pound rate changes starting July 12.

    By • June 26, 2026
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    Andrew Burton/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    FedEx to send tariff refunds to customers starting in August

    The carrier will prioritize returning duties first to shippers that opt in to sharing shipment and refund data with vendor partners.

    By • June 25, 2026
  • Pallets of baby formula are unloaded from a FedEx cargo plane upon arrival at Dulles International Airport on May 25, 2022 in Dulles, Virginia.
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    Drew Angerer/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    FedEx launches life sciences suite as healthcare push lifts earnings

    The new organization supporting healthcare and pharmaceutical services fuels efforts to grow high-value customer segments as less-lucrative volume declines.

    By • June 24, 2026
  • A Duluth Trading Company store in West Fargo, North Dakota.
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    "Duluth Trading Company Store - Fargo, North Dakota" by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Duluth Trading taps Amazon for fulfillment on e-commerce giant’s site

    The wholesale model aims to enable the workwear retailer to tap into the popularity of Prime shipping while freeing up time to focus on its digital portfolio and stores.

    By • June 22, 2026
  • FedEx jets sit at the company's facility at O'Hare International Airport on September 19, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    FedEx fuel surcharge change raises heat on export shipments

    Shippers’ exports will face higher fuel fee percentages, while imports will see lower rates once the adjustment takes place June 22.

    By • June 18, 2026
  • Exterior of an Ollie's Bargain Outlet
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    M. Suhail via Getty Images
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    Why furniture delivery isn’t part of Ollie’s plans

    Customers aren't willing to pay extra for shipping, while free delivery could squeeze margins, the retailer's CEO said.

    By • June 16, 2026
  • External shot of a Tractor Supply.
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    Taunya Moore/Supply Chain Dive
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    Tractor Supply taps AI to help scale last-mile delivery network

    The retailer has used the technology to help managers build delivery routes, and more AI-driven improvements are in the works.

    By • June 10, 2026
  • A drone in the sky carries a Walmart-branded package.
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Walmart, Wing add 7 markets to drone delivery expansion plan

    The companies aim to start operations in Philadelphia, Phoenix and other metros by 2027 as the retailer advances its fast delivery push.

    By • June 9, 2026
  • Nespresso is served at Maybelline New York on Feb. 12, 2019.
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    Bryan Bedder via Getty Images
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    Why Nespresso diversified its delivery provider mix

    The espresso and coffee company is tapping carriers like Jitsu in a bid to boost the end customer experience.

    By • June 8, 2026
  • Dollar General storefront logo
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Dollar General’s fast delivery offering helps lift sales

    About half of the retailer's sub-hour orders were delivered in under 30 minutes in Q1, CEO Todd Vasos said.

    By • June 8, 2026
  • A man bends down to pick up a package left on a porch.
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    Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Can AI gains give alternative delivery providers an edge?

    As parcel carriers like SpeedX and Veho deploy in-house AI tools, experts say the technology could help upstarts close the gap with FedEx and UPS.

    By • June 5, 2026