Parcel & Express

Walmart and JD.com Are Launching Three E-commerce Initiatives in China

October 31, 2016

Three months after entering into a partnership to expand online shopping options for Chinese consumers, Walmart and JD.com have announced three new ways for customers to access Walmart products from around the world. The efforts, which are part of the original strategy announced in June, are officially launching during the run up to Singles Day on November 11. They aim to improve logistics and supply chain functions, cross-border e-commerce and online-to-offline e-commerce services for consumers across the country, the companies say.

Amazon Limiting Fulfillment Networks to Existing Merchants Ahead of Holiday Season

October 28, 2016

MultiChannel Merchant

In an attempt to deal with potential network capacity issues this holiday season, Amazon is limiting the use of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) warehouses and services to existing sellers between now and Dec. 19, the company confirmed. This means new sellers would have difficulty using FBA to fulfill last-minute Christmas orders.

Hyperloop Pioneer TU Delft Teams With DHL for California Competition

October 26, 2016

Air Cargo World

Amsterdam to Paris in 30 minutes. That's the goal of the "Delft Hyperloop" - a pod-like capsule developed by TU Delft for the rapid transportation of people and goods through tubes - the maker says. The apparatus that might make such a trip possible arrived in California aboard a DHL freighter last week to compete in the "Hyperloop Pod Competition."

USPS Requests Parcel Rates Increases for 2017

October 25, 2016

MultiChannel Merchant

The U.S. Postal Service has filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of price changes for shipping services products to take effect next year, following the end of the holiday mailing season. The filing does not include any price increase for First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International.

Amazon Adding 120,000 Workers To Meet Holiday Demand

October 21, 2016

CRM Daily

The holidays are coming, and Amazon says it plans to add 120,000 seasonal workers in an effort to meet an expected spike in demand as more and more people trade bricks for clicks. The seasonal positions will be created at fulfillment centers, sorting centers and customer service sites in 27 states. The move marks a 20 percent boost from the 100,000 seasonal hires a year ago.

Data Sharing Between Commuters and City Government May Be Growing Trend

October 21, 2016

CIO

Digital mapping company Esri has announced a partnership with crowdsourcing traffic app maker Waze to help city governments and drivers communicate more efficiently about traffic conditions, including construction delays and accidents. By using Esri ArcGIS (geographic information system) software to connect to a new Waze connected citizens program, cities can share data about the conditions of their roads with drivers, while drivers can anonymously report accidents, potholes and other road condition information.

New Grocery Route Optimization Fulfills in 24 Hours, Lancaster Organics Reports

October 20, 2016

RIS News

Lancaster Farm Fresh Organics (LFFO) has streamlined its previously manual fleet operations to help get product in and out of the warehouse and into the customer's hand in 24 hours or less, said Ben Kreider, the retailer's transportation director. LFFO uses the Descartes Route Planner.

Nordstrom, Costco, UPS Join Last-Mile Delivery Study in Seattle

October 19, 2016

MultiChannel Merchant

In the heart of Amazon country, Nordstrom, Costco and UPS have joined with a team from the University of Washington in Seattle to study solutions to last-mile delivery issues in urban areas. UW's Urban Freight Lab will explore high-impact, low-cost solutions in urban areas where delivery vehicles, bicycles, cars and pedestrians all have to coexist, according to the university.

Fill-Air Flow Wants to Bring Inflatable Plastic to Small Businesses, Designer Says

October 19, 2016

BloombergBusinessweek

Forget packing peanuts, it's all about the air cushion, says John Wolf, vice president for global sector marketing at Sealed Air and the inventor of bubble wrap. Fill-Air Flow is a device the size of a paper-towel dispenser that creates clear plastic air cushions - a cheaper, sleeker alternative to packing peanuts and the like - at a scale designed to be affordable for small businesses, Wolf says.

Drone Company Launches Healthcare Delivery Service in Rwanda

October 19, 2016

Supply Management

A drone service delivering blood for transfusions has been launched by the president of Rwanda. The drones are expected to make between 50 and 150 life-saving deliveries a day to remote and inaccessible clinics across the western half of the country, according to Zipline, the company behind the technology.