Shipping

Prior to 2020, the gradual shift from brick-and-mortar to e-commerce shopping had already begun. The pandemic, however, accelerated this shift as more consumers elected to shop online. The U.S. e-commerce forecast had online sales growing by double digits — 17.9 percent year-over-year — in 2021. Online sales were forecast to reach $933.30 billion last year, accounting for…

Fast-growing e-commerce brands understand only too well that "going green" is a thorny ambition. Online shopping is booming with demand accelerated by COVID-19, but offering fast international delivery using air freight will have an impact on the planet we’re all trying to protect. A commitment to carbon neutrality in the supply chain is therefore an…

Today’s competitive retail landscape makes it imperative for retailers to prioritize the customer experience. With that in mind, delayed delivery schedules, damaged products and cumbersome order tracking could turn customers away from your store. This, in turn, will take a toll on customer retention, brand reputation and revenue. Whether you’re running an online store or a brick-and-mortar…

In this episode of Retail Right Now, Total Retail editors Kristina Stidham and Joe Keenan discuss an article recently published by Total Retail titled, “Will Free Shipping Boost E-Commerce Sales Enough to Be Profitable?,” authored by Mitchell Nikitin, founder and CEO of Via.Delivery. There's no disputing how powerful the words “free shipping” are when it…

There's no disputing how powerful the words “free shipping” are when it comes to driving e-commerce sales. Sixty percent of U.S. consumers say that getting a great deal is a top factor that influences their purchasing decisions. According to many online shoppers, the deal they want most is free shipping. A survey of holiday shoppers…

The modern shopper experience extends far beyond the four walls of the physical store. In today’s omnichannel landscape, shipping has become an increasingly important part of the consumer experience. It’s not just product availability or quality that boosts brand image any longer; it’s the way an order arrives. Was it on time? Did it contain…

As the world rebalances after the chaos of COVID-19, U.S. e-commerce businesses are desperately seeking ways to beat supply chain challenges and claw back lost revenues. Many are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to improve logistics efficiencies, meet customer expectations, and prepare for a less predictable future. According to a recent KPMG survey, 53 percent…

Retail is having a moment, to say the least. But an increase in sales, which are up 14.5 percent so far this year compared to 2020 in almost all categories, combined with major transportation delays that are clogging the supply chain, points to a tumultuous holiday season. And the industry is still coming off the…

Remember last year’s “Shipageddon,” when many delivery providers struggled to meet demand in the lead-up to the holidays? Well, like a sequel to a movie that no one enjoyed the first time around, Shipageddon 2 could be coming soon. But the good news for retailers is that if you play it smart, you can avoid…

Walmart said yesterday that it has started using fully driverless trucks in its online grocery business in an effort to increase capacity and reduce inefficiencies. Walmart has partnered with Gatik, a middle mile logistics provider that delivers goods safely and efficiently using its fleet of light and medium duty trucks that operate daily without a driver.…