Shipping

Walmart is raising its return shipping rates for seller-fulfilled orders, citing "changing market conditions," according to an update posted this month on the Walmart Marketplace website. While the retailer doesn't make its return shipping rates public, the company told Talk Business it’s the first rate increase in two years. Walmart marketplace allows third-party sellers to…

Businesses are constantly having to navigate unexpected issues with their shipping processes and the real consequences that come to their bottom line. From upstream disruptions such as havoc in international waters that clog ports and upend access to goods, to downstream disruptions like inclement weather that mess with on-time-delivery (OTD) rates, the supply chain as…

DoorDash has entered the home improvement category with a new partnership with Lowe’s Companies. The delivery aggregator announced yesterday that it will offer on-demand delivery from more than 1,700 Lowes' stores nationwide. This partnership marks DoorDash’s first foray into the home improvement category and builds on the significant selection offerings on the platform, with more than 99…

Consumers want convenience, personalization and value — it’s what pushed the U.S. retail market to a record $5.13 trillion in 2023. As inflation subsides, what shoppers want and how they spend will keep playing a big role in how the market evolves. Retailers need to keep pace with a more connected, savvy and discerning customer…

COVID-19 may have started the fire, but the online shopping boom is showing no signs of burning out. As consumer expectations grow alongside this blazing industry, many are placing a stronger focus on the shipping experience itself. This is why retail giants like Amazon.com are making fast and free shipping incentives table stakes, with recent…

The explosive growth in e-commerce that flowed from the COVID-19 pandemic has made last-mile delivery more important than ever in the retail industry. Companies that meet consumer expectations when it comes to last-mile delivery will be well-positioned to thrive. Meeting those expectations, however, is easier said than done, as consumers want delivery to be fast,…

E-commerce brands have been through a tumultuous few years. The pandemic in 2020 brought a surge in online shopping which has never subsided. As consumers have increased their online purchases, their expectations for low cost, simple, fast and reliable delivery have also grown. Retailers are recognizing that the delivery experience can have a huge impact…

Traditional delivery methods, once the norm in e-commerce, are rapidly being replaced by a standard that prioritizes immediacy. Retail giants and small businesses alike have recognized that today's consumers expect their online purchases to arrive not in days, but hours. This seismic shift is redefining logistics, compelling companies to innovate and adapt at breakneck speeds…

Shipping, and whether or not it’s free, has been the de-facto decision maker for online shopping conversions ever since Amazon.com introduced its Prime membership in 2005. What started out as a way for non-Amazon retailers to remain competitive and to incentivize shoppers to buy more online has now become a very expensive customer expectation. In…

After a rollercoaster year, we've arrived at the 2023 holiday season. With economic fluctuations and unpredictable shopper trends, forecasting consumer behavior is more challenging than ever before. That’s why ShipStation compiled insights from over 8,000 shoppers and businesses around the globe to help merchants understand consumers’ most up-to-date needs and how they can fulfill them…