Amazon, FedEx, UPS join CBP e-commerce data pilot

The pilot will test whether shippers providing cargo information to the agency upfront will streamline screening processes as e-commerce parcel volumes approach 1.8 million per day.

By Morgan Forde • Jan. 14, 2020

What are the top supply chain trends of 2020? 4 experts weigh in

2019 trends including automation, speedy operations and changing global supply chains will likely carry over and intensify this year.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 13, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail Supply Chains

Retailers are making operational investments and adjustments to maintain supply chain resilience. Here’s how.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

25% of small firms say Amazon, Walmart drive shipping strategy: report

The "Amazonification" of retail, driving consumer expectations toward faster and seamless delivery, has become a struggle for smaller firms hoping to keep pace, a report from uShip found.

By Morgan Forde • Jan. 9, 2020

FEMA focus should shift to supply chain recovery: report

Existing prevalent models of emergency management often put FEMA in competition with private supply chains for crucial resources.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 8, 2020

Drop trailers: What's old is new again — for now

Technology increases transparency and holds promise for enhanced efficiency, but with enough advanced technology, drop trailers could become obsolete.

By Barry Hochfelder • Jan. 7, 2020

Turn less into more by automating HS code classification

You increase efficiency for your customers. Automation can increase efficiency for you.

Jan. 6, 2020

Patent Pending: Is warehousing Alphabet's next moonshot?

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 3, 2020

JB Hunt builds 'big and bulky' last-mile capacity with acquisition

The RDI acquisition marks the third similar deal for J.B. Hunt in three years. "We will be breaking out this channel in 2020," said CEO Roberts in October. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 3, 2020

UPS predicts 1.9M returns on Jan. 2

Returns are forecast to be up 26% over last year, with the logistics provider anticipating that National Returns Day will mark its seventh consecutive record.

By Kaarin Moore • Dec. 27, 2019

2019 holiday returns could reach $41.6B: CBRE

Optimizing the returns process is especially important for retail categories where the value of goods depreciates quickly, like apparel. 

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 20, 2019

Amazon expands its free return policy

The e-commerce giant will accept label- and box-free returns on select items at more than 5,800 locations, reducing the number of pickups from drivers.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 19, 2019

Trump administration lays out plans to import drugs from abroad

Drug importation as a policy has a long history, but has been rejected in the past over concerns about supply chain security and regulatory resources. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 18, 2019

Investment in Hong Kong warehousing market falls 52% amid protests

The value of investment in the market fell to $719.9 million, down from $1.5 billion during the same period in 2018, a report from Real Capital Analytics found. 

By Morgan Forde • Dec. 18, 2019

FedEx will cut air freight capacity after 50% margin loss

The carrier will delay many nonessential capital expenditures, without pulling back on seven-day service, in-sourcing SmartPost volume or expanding FedEx Freight service into consumer delivery, CEO Fred Smith said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 18, 2019

Amazon bans 3rd-party sellers from using FedEx Ground to ship Prime orders

Amazon cited a "decline in performance" across FedEx Ground and Home services, blaming the carrier for delivery delays this peak season. The ban will last until performance improves.

By Morgan Forde • Dec. 16, 2019

Package deal: What holiday delivery can tell us about the future of retail

Cyber Monday was the biggest shopping day on record in the United States. But someone has to deliver all those products. 

By Kaarin Moore • Dec. 16, 2019

Amazon Logistics parcel volume will surpass UPS and FedEx by 2022, Morgan Stanley says

Morgan Stanley's estimates are not predicated on Amazon's build-out of a shipping service catering to parcels originating from sites other than Amazon e-commerce platform, but the researchers know that is coming too.  

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 13, 2019

How to assess risks in a globalized supply chain

While it can expand reach and profitability, globalization can be a stumbling block for businesses, exposing firms to interruptions in supply, stock-outs, quality problems and supplier management issues.

By Jon Kirchoff, PhD • Dec. 12, 2019

Amazon, FedEx and UPS see drop in Cyber Week on-time deliveries

The drop in performance was partially due to weather as parts of the country were hit with snow.

By Matt Leonard • Updated Dec. 12, 2019

Big cities, rural areas could experience high holiday package delays

The average delivery delay rate across the U.S. is projected to be 9% this year, with some areas surpassing 16%, per a LateShipment.com report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 11, 2019

UPS expands global express and freight services to thousands of new postal codes

For domestic shippers already relying on UPS' delivery network, the carrier's continued global expansion facilitates shippers' ability to access emerging markets.

By Morgan Forde • Dec. 11, 2019

Ahold Delhaize to invest $480M in US supply chain integration

The move toward self-distribution will encompass warehousing, transportation and procurement, resulting in $100 million in annual savings and better product availability for customers, Ahold Delhaize USA CEO Kevin Holt said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 11, 2019

Plus.ai autonomous truck completes coast-to-coast delivery in 3 days

The vehicle completed the 2,800 mile journey carrying a truckload of Land O' Lakes butter from California to Pennsylvania, though a licensed driver and safety engineer went along for the ride just in case. 

By Morgan Forde • Dec. 10, 2019

Walmart launches autonomous delivery in Houston

Through a partnership with Nuro, the retailer will deliver groceries to a select group of shoppers in the coming months before expanding to the public. 

By Krishna Thakker • Dec. 10, 2019

Innovator of the Year: UPS' Flight Forward

Flight Forward became the first company to receive a "Standard Part 135" clearance from the FAA this year and is beginning to look into business-to-consumer use cases.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 9, 2019