Shipping

Etsy is working on major changes to its shipping features and has some experienced online sellers concerned. Etsy called it a "big project with multiple phases" that it's undertaking in order to improve the shipping experience on the marketplace.

UPS and FedEx simultaneously increased their rates earlier this year. As a shipper it's absolutely vital to your organization to truly understand the rate increases and the influence they have on your bottom line.

In my role as second-in-command with American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA), I’m often asked by members what they should do about their catalog marketing programs in light of the current state of calamity facing the nearly bankrupt U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

Q: “What are some best practices around shipping orders to Canada? What practices ensure optimal customer service, and what shipping services, methods or providers do you use or recommend? Thanks!”
— Nicholas Cole, vice president of e-commerce, Trinity Road

Sixteen retailers, including Amazon.com and Macy's, achieved savings averaging 32 percent in international shipping costs in a recent packaging study conducted by Bongo International, a global e-commerce solution provider.

eBay warned sellers on Thursday to prepare for next week's postage rate changes from the U.S. Postal Service. The new USPS rates take effect on Jan. 22. eBay said it would update its shipping calculator, labels and PayPal labels to reflect the new rates.

In a twist on its proven formula, Target announced a new partnership series that brings local boutique owners, rather than internationally recognized fashion brands, into the mix of its successful high-low designer collaborations. Five boutiques from across the country have designed limited-edition collections that will be sold in Target stores and on Target.com beginning in May.

The Mint empire, which includes StyleMint, Kate Bosworth's jewelry site JewelMint, and Rachel Bilson's venture ShoeMint, have announced shipping to Canada is officially in effect.

UPS has announced 6.9 percent air increases, partially offset by a 2 percent fuel surcharge reduction. It's also announced a 5.9 percent average ground increase, offset somewhat by a 1 percent fuel surcharge reduction. Net increases for both UPS Air and UPS Ground are 4.9 percent effective Jan. 2, 2012.

comScore has reported retail e-commerce spending for the first 46 days of the November-December 2011 holiday season. For the holiday season to date, $30.9 billion has been spent online, a 15 percent increase vs. the corresponding days last year.