E-Commerce/Omni-Channel

Amazon’s Australian Debut Brings Excitement, Dread and Defiance

December 7, 2017

Amazon quietly began operations in Australia this month, the start of what could be a shake-up of that country’s retail market, which is worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Get Your Supply Chain Holiday-Ready — Before It’s Too Late

December 6, 2017

Industryweek

As the holiday season quickly approaches, it’s a good time to prepare. Unfortunately, with an ever-increasing amount of data, an increasingly complex and varied competitive landscape and demanding customers, the question is often: Where to begin?

UPS Testing Sustainable Delivery System in Europe

December 5, 2017

Environmental Leader

UPS is testing a depot-to-door delivery system in central London. The Low Impact City Logistics project will reduce traffic congestion and emissions associated with urban package delivery by using a power-assisted delivery trailer. If successful, it could change the way packages are delivered in cities in the U.K.

Mercedes Plans More Drone Deliveries After 100 Perfect Flights

December 4, 2017

Industryweek

Mercedes-Benz, conducting the biggest test using drones to ship everyday items like ground coffee and cellphones, said the mini aircraft completed 100 drop-offs to strategically placed vans in Zurich with a perfect safety record and more deliveries are planned for next year.

Amazon Merchants Continue to Find Ways to Cheat

December 4, 2017

Bloomberg

Mike Molson Hart, who sells toys on Amazon.com Inc.’s marketplace, realized last month something was amiss. His company’s popular disc-shaped plastic building set, called Brain Flakes, had dropped precipitously in the ranks of Amazon’s best-selling toys as the critical gift-giving season approached.

These Firms Have a Novel Solution to Online Fraud: Disposable Credit Card Numbers

December 1, 2017

Los Angeles Times

In an era when online credit card fraud seems like a foregone conclusion, here’s one potential solution: Instead of trying to prevent card numbers from being pilfered on the web, simply use card numbers you don’t mind being stolen.

Amazon Looks to Lure Holiday Shoppers Offline and Into Its Stores

November 30, 2017

Fortune

Amazon goes into the holiday season with a newly magnified brick-and-mortar presence, giving it more opportunities to sell its Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets and other gadgets.

Retailers Offer Delayed Shipping Options to Avoid Peak Charges

November 29, 2017

The Wall Street Journal

Retailers are contending with a new challenge as this year’s holiday shopping season heats up: extra shipping fees during the busiest weeks.

Americans Are Feeling Richer These Days, But They Won't Necessarily Be Spending More on Gifts

November 29, 2017

Los Angeles Times

Will shoppers really spend more this holiday season than they did last year? It depends on whom you ask.

Shopify, UPS Cut Deal to Lower Rates for Online Retailers

November 28, 2017

Air Cargo World

Christmas is coming early for smaller retailers looking to boost online sales.

E-Commerce/Omni-Channel

The latest supply-chain news, analysis, trends and tools for executives in the e-commerce/omnichannel industry — which consists of companies engaged in internet retailing, including those with auxiliary brick-and-mortar stores. Learn how e-commerce/omnichannel companies and their suppliers around the world are managing the flow of products across all channels of the enterprise. Experts sound off on forecasting and demand planning, supply-chain visibility, logistics outsourcing, inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse management, supply-chain security, corporate social responsibility and more.