Patent Pending: Why did the Amazon delivery robot cross the road?

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 from the week. 

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 25, 2019

Rent the Runway shouldered the blame when a software bug hampered fulfillment

Rather than point fingers and "blame" a third party, the company said the disruption was due to a "software issue internally."

By Naomi Eide • Oct. 25, 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

Amazon adds pickup counters to GNC, Stage Stores, Health Mart

The pickup counters give Amazon greater delivery network density and eliminate the most complex and expensive part of e-commerce orders: the last yard. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 23, 2019

Best Buy kicks off peak season with free next-day delivery

As the company heads into peak season competition with Amazon, and other big box retailers, it is looking to leverage its brick and mortar footprint and the growing popularity of buy online, pick-up in-store (BOPIS) to increase sales.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 23, 2019

UPS gears up for record volumes this peak season

Investments in automation are paying off as the carrier heads into peak after posting record U.S. operating profit in the third quarter. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 22, 2019

4 ways 5G is set to transform supply chains

Two-thirds of organizations plan to deploy 5G by 2020, with operational efficiency seen as the key benefit.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Oct. 22, 2019

CMA CGM offers financing, extended payment deadlines for shippers

The French carrier seeks to offer financial relief in the form of improved cash flow to companies working to mitigate the instability of the current trade environment.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 22, 2019

UPS, CVS complete 2 last-mile drone deliveries of prescriptions

The partnership with CVS Pharmacy takes healthcare deliveries a step further, as the transports are no longer restricted to B2B transactions across medical campuses. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated Nov. 5, 2019

UPS teams up with Stamps.com to reduce friction for shippers

Shippers who source UPS shipping services through a Stamps.com platform can receive up to 55% off of daily rates.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 21, 2019

What is Part 135 and what does it mean for drone delivery?

Alphabet's Wing Aviation and UPS have begun small scale drone delivery in recent months thanks to certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 18, 2019

Patent Pending: Uber's plan for better freight matching, Walmart tackles store-based batching

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 from the week. 

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 17, 2019

Uber Freight: The bright spot in Uber's portfolio?

As Uber lays off hundreds from its autonomous vehicles, Uber Eats and other divisions, Uber Freight is set to hire thousands of employees.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 16, 2019

Walmart launches grocery delivery into customers' homes

Crossing the threshold into the last yard is Walmart's play to dominate last-mile delivery.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 15, 2019

With record-low unemployment, how will supply chains hire thousands for peak season?

The arid talent pool challenges supply chain managers to boost productivity and take a unique approach to recruit and retain workers.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 15, 2019

Former Amazon last-mile provider to lay off 900

This last mile shake-up and about 700 other layoffs at Atlanta-based Inpax follow a Buzzfeed and ProPublica investigation that found drivers were involved in fatal crashes while delivering Amazon packages. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 14, 2019

TuSimple plans fully driverless deliveries in 2021

TuSimple executives said the company's next step is to continue partnering on real-world routes throughout the U.S. and China, eventually "taking the driver out of the equation."

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 14, 2019

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

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