Target cuts costs 40% through store fulfillment

As the retailer continues its store-centric fulfillment model, it will require strong inventory management practices to ensure the right balance of SKUs are available in stores to meet consumer demand.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 23, 2019

Kohl's prepares for diminishing gross margins amid tariff hike

CEO Michelle Gass described the situation as "fluid," encapsulating the near-universal struggle for retailers importing products from China — the lack of certainty in the trade landscape.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 22, 2019

Loop's 'waste-free' e-commerce platform launches with P&G, Kroger, Walgreens on board

Circular packaging requires a change in consumer behavior, but perhaps most significant is the operational shift required of Loop's corporate partners, in what executives described as a grand experiment.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 22, 2019

Home Depot: Faster delivery means more sales

The home improvement retailer can currently reach 90% of the U.S. population with parcel shipping in two days or less. For next-day parcel shipping, that number today is 36%, but soon will be 50%, said executives. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 21, 2019

Nike, Adidas and others call on Trump to remove footwear from tariff list

In an open letter posted by the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, footwear brands called tranche four tariffs "catastrophic" and estimated a $7 billion annual impact on consumers. 

By Matt Leonard • May 21, 2019

LVMH creates blockchain platform to track luxury goods

The move comes as more consumers turn to resale for authentic, high-end goods at affordable prices.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 20, 2019

Report: 67% of retailers say omnichannel is a priority

Retailers that adopt strategies such as BOPIS can reach consumers across more platforms and stand out among lagging competitors. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 17, 2019

Walmart: Tariffs will lead to higher prices

The increase in tariff rate and the potential impact of a proposed tranche four list on consumer goods have come at a particularly bad time for Walmart as it seeks to speed up fulfillment to match Amazon. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 17, 2019

Tranche 4 shakes up apparel and footwear supply chains after escaping earlier tariffs

China is currently the United States’ largest supplier of textiles and apparel, accounting for nearly 36% of total imports in 2017 according to the World Bank.

By Morgan Forde • May 16, 2019

Macy's: Tariff tranche 4 is 'the big one'

The retailer has worked for years to move production of private label goods out of China, but the country remains "an important piece of our overall mix," CEO Jeff Gennette said 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 16, 2019

PVH reveals expansive sustainability goals

The fashion conglomerate, which operates brands like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, introduced a plan with 15 targets for increased transparency including reducing carbon emissions, landfill waste and eradicating single-use plastics.

By Kaarin Moore • May 14, 2019

Walmart adds 1-day shipping as delivery battle heats up

The retailer's announcement raises the stakes for competitors and comes just weeks after Amazon upgraded its Prime delivery to next-day for many products.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 14, 2019

As Old Navy and Gap split, so do their supply chains

Analysts see the brands' split as a strategic move, but it won't come without "teething problems" as supplier relationships and inventory management shift.

By Craig Guillot • May 14, 2019

Sam's Club to open fulfillment center for online orders

A warehouse club in Worcester, Massachusetts will reopen next week as an online order fulfillment center, the fourth of about a dozen planned transformations.

By Lauren Manning • May 13, 2019

Imports to reach 'unusually high levels,' anticipating 4th round of tariffs

Although no official notice or date has been set for another round of tariffs, the National Retail Federation said retailers will attempt to move up merchandise shipments. 

By Matt Leonard • May 10, 2019

Walmart says Project Gigaton goals are on track

In its first environmental, social and governance report, the retailer details progress toward its goal of reducing global supply chain emissions by 1 billion metric tons by 2030.

By Matt Leonard • May 8, 2019

Nestlé to exit direct store delivery for frozen pizza and ice cream, cutting thousands of jobs

The switch will result in shuttering eight frozen distribution centers and inventory transfer points, cutting out middlemen, and eventually bringing the company savings.

By Jessi Devenyns • May 8, 2019

Returns grow with e-commerce, reach 10% of sales

The returned merchandise is challenging retailers to refine their reverse logistics and detect fraudulent returns. 

By Matt Leonard • May 7, 2019

Buy, try, return, repeat: How fast fulfillment gives beauty retailers a competitive edge

In an industry where trying on is crucial to the experience, retailers must have the right operations in place to manage orders and returns.

By Jen A. Miller • May 7, 2019

Walmart reveals first 'intelligent' lab store on Long Island

Equipped with cameras, sensors, interactive displays and major processing power, the souped-up Neighborhood Market aims to take efficiency and customer experience to new heights.

By Jessica Dumont • April 30, 2019

Suddenly, free 1-day shipping is the new normal

Amazon upped the ante with its announcement of Prime's two-day delivery becoming even quicker, but analysts say Walmart and Target have little to fear.

By Daphne Howland • April 30, 2019

Amazon transitions free Prime shipping from 2-day to 1-day

While this move will put Amazon a full day ahead of the competition, it will also test the company's technology and logistics mettle.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 25, 2019

H&M expands product transparency for online apparel

Several sustainability and ethics watchers give the fast-fashion retailer props for its efforts, but also say it should go further.

By Daphne Howland • April 24, 2019

Ace Hardware adds 'Deliver from Store' options

The efforts to improve order fulfillment come in addition to already existing features, which aim to optimize the retailer's e-commerce business.

By Caroline Jansen • April 12, 2019

Shipt, Petco partner for same-day delivery

Pet owners will be able to get supplies delivered from nearly 1,300 stores as quickly as under an hour.

By Daphne Howland • April 12, 2019