URB-E turns to electric bicycles to make grocery delivery more efficient

The company operates a fleet that tows cargo carts holding up to 800 pounds through the streets of New York City and has more cities in its sights.

By Sam Silverstein • April 8, 2021

Postal Service does more harm than good by prioritizing package delivery

The timely and efficient delivery of mail is essential for keeping the U.S. economy humming and supply chains efficient, the author writes.

By Paul Steidler • March 30, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the trends affecting logistics management

The demise of the de minimis exception, trade tensions and tariffs are among the new challenges logistics managers are facing.  

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Meet the vertical automated grocery store

Boston-based startup Urbx aims to build its futuristic stores in cities across the country and provide micro-fulfillment technology to retailers.

By Jeff Wells • March 30, 2021

Utz resumes converting direct-store-delivery routes to independent operators

The company expects to convert 200-250 routes this year, after pausing the work last year to accommodate for the pandemic and an ERP implementation, the CFO said.

By S.L. Fuller • March 25, 2021

5 steps supply chains should have taken for effective vaccine distribution

Perhaps most disappointing has been the failure to use one of the most common tools for supply chain logistics: the barcode, according to Karen Conway, vice president of Healthcare Value at Global Healthcare Exchange.

By Karen Conway • March 23, 2021

6 charts show how a pandemic upended retail supply chains

Consumers moved online and retailers pivoted to move inventory locked in brick-and-mortar locations.

By Matt Leonard • March 22, 2021

Stitch Fix threads in carrier diversity after longer cycle times during peak

The CFO called carrier diversification "very important," with outbound and reverse logistics embedded in the fabric of Stitch Fix's business model.

By Shefali Kapadia • March 17, 2021

Congress takes on truck driver shortage, reboots bill to permit under-21s to haul interstate loads

Proponents of the DRIVE-Safe Act applaud its ability to bring young drivers into the workforce, but opponents express safety concerns.

By S.L. Fuller • March 16, 2021

FedEx to convert parcel fleet to EVs by 2040, eyeing a carbon neutral future

The announcement is part of a broader $2 billion investment focused on clean energy, carbon removal and electrification.

By A.B. Brown • March 5, 2021

Cold storage construction heats up amid pandemic

Supply chain disruption, new competition and the need for specialty subcontractors are some of the challenges cold storage contractors face, but they aren't slowing them down. 

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 26, 2021

La-Z-Boy ramps production to shorten up to 9-month lead times

The furniture company reported order backlogs and a "long tail" of production and deliveries.

By A.B. Brown • Feb. 23, 2021

Walgreens expands same-day delivery with Instacart

Experts say store-based fulfillment partnerships are a good fit for retailers that see modest online demand and don't wish to invest in structural changes to support e-commerce.

By Jeff Wells • Feb. 23, 2021

Amazon hands over delivery data to researchers for MIT route planning contest

Participants will take into account driver know-how for route-planning algorithms that fit modern, last-mile delivery environments.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 22, 2021

Coca-Cola, Walmart team up to deliver coffee-flavored soda via drone

Companies testing commercial drone delivery have often turned to food and other smaller items, as the light weight accommodates the vehicle's relatively small payload.

By Robert Williams , S.L. Fuller • Jan. 29, 2021

Eager to innovate in pickup, retailers look to lockers and kiosks

As retailers look to storage units to enhance omichannel and delivery service, they must grapple with limitations that could impede adoption.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 26, 2021

Gig economy emerges as key part of the parcel ecosystem

During the pandemic, Instacart, Postmates, Roadie, Shipt and others have moved into new roles, in many cases integrating into retailers' parcel portfolios as an alternative to traditional carriers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 25, 2021

4 elements of the next phase of last-mile delivery

The technologies to move retail delivery forward already exist. The next step is fully weaving last-mile services into the retail landscape.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 20, 2021

FedEx announces Ground, Express surcharges beginning February, citing high volume

With peak season now in the rearview mirror, the announcement of the new surcharges highlights just how much FedEx plans to rely on these fees to manage its network moving forward.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 15, 2021

Loves Furniture declares bankruptcy following shipping issues, Penske Logistics dispute

Loves leadership says it has "too much inventory and too little cash" to operate its stores. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 13, 2021

UPS, Verizon, Skyward partner on 5G drone delivery in Florida

Many details on the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but the companies say 5G will be important to scaling delivery fleets.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2021

Walmart to test refrigerated boxes that store grocery deliveries outside homes

The secure, internet-connected units can hold items at various temperatures and use ultraviolet light to kill viruses, mold and mildew.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 13, 2021

FAA: New drone rules address safety, provide more operational flexibility

While the industry has seen a flurry of drone activity with UPS, Amazon Prime, Walmart and others, regulation and investment hurdles have precluded more widespread adoption for delivery operations.

By A.B. Brown • Jan. 5, 2021

Parcel 2020: The year of surcharges, volume caps and peak on top of peak

E-commerce shipments started to flood logistics networks as early as May.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 18, 2020

Walmart to take middle-mile trucks driverless in Arkansas

Since the retailer began its self-driving pilot with Gatik last year, the trucks have traveled more than 70,000 operational miles in autonomous mode.

By Rosie Bradbury • Dec. 16, 2020

JB Hunt sets out on expedition for final-mile acquisitions

Carriers see opportunity in last mile as e-commerce grows. Buying smaller fleets comes with the books of business, the talent and the know-how to enter the final-mile market.

By Jim Stinson • Dec. 14, 2020