Logistics services are a step beyond third-party logistics (3PL). They are considered 4PL or 7PL, which combines 4PL with 3PL eCommerce fulfillment. Logistics are an essential part of your supply chain management. Fourth-party logistics can move the needle on your […]
Sometimes the unthinkable happens, and this week we saw a container ship the size of a skyscraper turn sideways and block all traffic in Egypt’s Suez Canal, demonstrating a clear need for transportation backup plans. For more than 24 hours, the […]
Online shopping feels like a natural and essential part of our modern world. It’s hard to remember that it’s only been around for a few short decades. Even 20 years ago, most internet connections were through slow dial-up modems. The […]
Managing and optimizing a local or global supply chain is one of the most important activities an ecommerce business or online seller can do if they want to control spend and put themselves in a position for growth. What is […]
The just in time inventory management system started as a manufacturing process. Over time, it has become popular in many sectors of the economy. ECommerce companies use just in time inventory to stay nimble in the face of changing consumer […]
This is Part II of a series dealing with the Future of Distribution. Part I detailed the history of distribution and how the manufacturing, wholesale and retail segments developed, only to be supplanted with the integrated approach pioneered by online […]
The machines have risen and — sorry, John Connor — but people are embracing them because they’re just such good shoppers. Businesses are on board, too, because automation tools powered by machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) can make […]
When the coronavirus pandemic hit Asia in early 2020, many businesses experienced major supply chain disruptions. This highlighted the need for companies to build resilient supply chains. Now, more than ever, it’s essential to make your supply chain resilient to […]
In an ideal world, your eCommerce would have a return rate of zero. However, returns are unavoidable when you sell online. That’s why you need a robust reverse logistics operation. Return rates for eCommerce shops are more than double the […]
You might not have heard of cross docking, but it just may be the solution to your eCommerce fulfillment problems. This is a time when many online retailers are facing difficulty in keeping products in stock. Cross-docking can help your […]
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, the impacts are rippling through the economy and the supply chain. While many workers have been forced to sit at home while their workplaces are shuttered, truck drivers are facing extra demand. Their work to […]
There are many known risks to global supply chains. War, civil unrest, extreme weather, and natural disasters top the list. Now a new coronavirus strain, dubbed COVID-19, has added pandemic to the list. Even if your products are locally manufactured, […]