Patent Pending: Amazon plans to automate unloading, Walmart envisions lasers for inventory

Every week supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future of supply chains. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny. On Fridays, we share a few in our new column. 

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 11, 2019

USPS announces price increases for 2020

The price increases would affect Mailing Services, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and other product-specific shipments starting Jan. 26, 2020.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 10, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating rising costs, network changes and logistics disruptions across global supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Carriers shipped 2,760 parcels per second in 2018

Data from Pitney Bowes indicates global parcel carriers have made small progress toward generating revenue from the e-commerce boom.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 10, 2019

Inpax Final Mile lays off more than 700 after losing Amazon contract

As Amazon takes more of its own supply chain in-house, it's unlikely Inpax will be the last carrier to lay off workers after losing the e-commerce giant as a customer.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 10, 2019

UPS partners with Shippo, offers 55% off shipping for online retailers

In addition to discounted shipping and waived surcharges, the collaboration will integrate with Shippo's platform which enables e-tailers to manage orders and track deliveries across multiple sales channels at once. 

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 9, 2019

The US is staying in the UPU, but global postal rate changes are coming

Though an international postal crisis has been averted, upcoming deadlines will require shippers' attention.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 9, 2019

DSV Panalpina will target road transport for next M&A

The freight forwarder's chairman said the next acquisitions would likely take place in 12 to 18 months, after the integration of Panalpina.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 9, 2019

UPS to add 6K+ natural gas trucks to its fleet by 2022

The investment in alternative fuel vehicles will cost the company $450 million and is meant to help meet its 2025 sustainability goals.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 9, 2019

FedEx partners with Walgreens on returns in preparation for peak season

Customers will be able to have return labels printed and packages shipped from 7,300 participating Walgreens locations.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 8, 2019

UPS, Michaels complete rollout of Access Points in 1,100 stores

Customers can opt to ship orders to UPS MyChoice locations in Michaels stores for added convenience and to avoid the risk of "porch pirates" stealing packages from their door step. 

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 8, 2019

UPS to add 50 planes to air fleet by 2022

Citing growing Next Day Air Volume, UPS said it plans to capitalize on growing e-commerce, healthcare and small business service demand and increase its share of the market by expanding the fleet.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 4, 2019

Patent Pending: Walmart plans for drone delivery, others tackle faster picking and the end of lost inventory

Every week supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future of supply chains. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny. On Fridays, we'll share a few in our new column. 

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 4, 2019

DHL Express announces 2020 rate hikes, new digitalization investment

Just days after the rates announcement, the carrier launched "Strategy 2025," in which DHL will invest 2 billion euro ($2.19 billion) to speed up digitalization efforts already underway.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 2, 2019

UPS granted FAA approval for commercial drone deliveries

The FAA certification will allow the carrier to officially launch Flight Forward, its dedicated drone delivery subsidiary that it announced earlier this year.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 1, 2019

Banana Republic, Athleta launch BOPIS services

During a pilot program, Gap Inc. reported the brands received add-on sales when customers picked up orders in store.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 1, 2019

Macy's to lay off 78 warehouse workers in logistics shift

A Macy's spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive the closure of the Connecticut facility is related to a new dedicated warehouse for Macy's Backstage outlet stores in Columbus, Ohio.

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Nov. 26, 2019

As Instacart gains ground, tech players organize to take back the last mile

Growing demand for grocery e-commerce has brought software players together to offer end-to-end services in a clear challenge to the market leader. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 1, 2019

Blackstone to acquire Colony Capital e-commerce logistics assets for $5.9B

The assets include roughly 60 million square feet of last-mile logistics assets in 26 U.S. markets concentrated in California, Florida, Georgia, northern New Jersey and Texas. 

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 30, 2019

USPS withdraws contract termination notices after UPU commitment

A sigh of relief spread across the USPS stakeholder community Wednesday after the vote. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 30, 2019

How grocery pickup is evolving

As demand grows along with competition, retailers are trying to erase wait times, improve fulfillment and even reach shoppers away from the store.

By Lauren Manning • Sept. 30, 2019

DHL: Global trade to slow over next 3 months

DHL's Global Trade Barometer index sits at 47, indicating overall negative growth.

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 27, 2019

Cold storage: a hot construction niche

Demand on several fronts is driving both new construction and renovation of cold storage facilities, which take longer to build than standard warehouses.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 27, 2019

The Backroom: Riding the tariff rollercoaster

No business likes uncertainty. Over the past several months, retailers that rely on goods shipped to the U.S. from China — a significant swath of the industry — have faced a highly uncertain landscape.

By Liza Casabona • Sept. 26, 2019

Embark to open freight transfer hubs in Los Angeles, Phoenix

The hub system will act as a link between trucks leaving warehouses in urban areas to the autonomous Embark trucks that will handle the middle mile of the trip. 

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 26, 2019

Amazon acquires customs broker INLT

The startup's cloud-based solution aims to help Amazon Marketplace sellers with customs clearance during international shipping.

By Matt Leonard • Updated Sept. 26, 2019