Given the continued supply chain uncertainty, increased customer expectations, and a tidal wave of competing brands, how can you prepare for success this peak season? By revamping your inventory and distribution methods while shifting your focus to micro fulfillment centers (MFCs). I want to talk a little bit about how MFCs have been redefined, and how they can be a key to your brand’s differentiation and success.

Like many other retailers and shippers around the country (and the globe), you might be lamenting the additional FedEx surcharges that began June 21st. After supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19, the recent round of surcharges felt like a slap in the face. The increased costs for additional handling, peak season delivery, and residential delivery packs a financial punch when you’re sending thousands of packages a month. But where do you turn when other national (and sometimes even regional) carriers are following suit? 

Are micro-fulfillment strategies the key to peak season success? Short answer: yes! Long answer: yes, when properly implemented—and that requires expertise.

In 2020, stay-at-home orders changed the culinary landscape, causing foodies to explore new avenues for daily dining. Among them were meal kit delivery services—subscription-based ready-to-eat meals or pre-packaged ingredients used to create gourmet recipes in one’s own kitchen. With its rapid growth during the pandemic combined with customers’ increased desire for convenience, meal kit delivery is poised to become an $11.6 billion industry by 2022.

As you prepare for peak season, don’t lose sight of a key brand differentiator: sustainable sourcing. Sustainable brands are surging in popularity, but responsible sourcing is more than a trend. It’s a necessity for the environment and for your branding as well. From your manufacturing processes to your last-mile delivery and returns practices, your corporate responsibility profile can make a huge difference in how your brand is perceived. Your supply chain logistics and delivery plan are a crucial part of responsible sourcing.

As you prepare for peak season, don’t lose sight of a key brand differentiator: sustainable sourcing. Sustainable brands are surging in popularity, but responsible sourcing is more than a trend. It’s a necessity for the environment and for your branding as well. From your manufacturing processes to your last-mile delivery and returns practices, your corporate responsibility profile can make a huge difference in how your brand is perceived. Your supply chain logistics and delivery plan are a crucial part of responsible sourcing.

Why would retail fashion innovators make last mile delivery services an integral part of their business plans?

Why would retail fashion innovators make last-mile delivery services an integral part of their business plans?

The rapid increase in e-commerce has placed extra pressure on the supply chain and especially logistics providers. An exceptional delivery experience can turn a regular shopper into a brand ambassador. But what happens when a delivery experience is negative? Let’s explore the costs of failed deliveries—and how to mitigate them.

In the past year, many of us have been personally affected by product shortages resulting from unprepared supply chains. As the retail landscape continues to change and evolve, here are a few reasons why I think organizations will increasingly integrate supply chain executive positions into their C-suites.