The process of analyzing high-volume shipper distribution patterns, identifying opportunities to save money and, in many cases, reduce transit times is often called mode (or modal) optimization (MO)... View More

By now, most shippers are keenly aware of how surcharges are impacting their transportation spend. Accessorial costs keep climbing and can now contribute to, on average, almost 40% of your tot... View More

Shipping is a critical part of your business, but it’s becoming more complex and expensive than ever. Rate increases, damaged goods, billing mistakes, and late shipments all affect your bott... View More

In the last installment of PARCEL Counsel, we looked at the meaning of the phrases F.O.B. Origin and F.O.B. Destination. Exploring the meaning of these terms is an essential first step; howeve... View More

E-commerce is booming, and so are parcel deliveries. According to the Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index, which covers 13 world industry nations, more than 74 billion parcels were shipped in 2... View More

The most obvious cost related to packaging is direct material, but the largest cost associated to packaging size is transportation. This is especially true for products shipped in large volumes and su

On April 26, Amazon once again ignited a global conversation when it announced its strategic decision to offer free next-day shipping for Prime members. The announcement left many shippers in... View More

Last year, US shoppers spent a record $126 billion holiday shopping online — a 19.1% increase over 2017. The rise in e-commerce during the holidays stretches distribution centers and their employees

As the small package industry progresses further into the future, it continues to change. UPS and FedEx have adapted and responded to the ever-evolving environment of e-commerce. Long considered bellw

Nowadays, shopping is much more than the simple act of just grabbing items off shelves and clothes off the racks. It is about convenience. Consumers want the option to be in the comfort of the... View More

The holiday season can put a lot of stress on distribution and fulfillment networks. With massive order volumes, reduced processing times, and a scarce labor pool all pressuring operations to do more... View More

It seems obvious, but some logistics professionals still fail to realize just how badly an inefficient and poorly functioning supply chain can affect each aspect of their organizations. As companies a

On Wednesday, September 25, in Geneva, Switzerland, an amendment was reached that would keep the United States as a member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), despite prevalent industry expe... View More

The past five years have paved the way for a new age of retail, where stores have become omnichannel-driven showrooms, checkout has become as simple as a flick of the phone, and teeming compet... View More

The transportation and logistics industry is experiencing a digital revolution. Modern technology is finally taking hold in supply chains across the world, allowing for previously unheard-of l... View More

On September 16, 2019, FedEx announced their annual general rate increase for 2020. Effective January 6, 2020, FedEx Express (Domestic, US Export, and US Import), FedEx Ground, and FedEx Home... View More

Many years ago, a new term, called “coopetition,” was created. This term primarily referred to how the private carriers were using the USPS Parcel Select service to do a package’s final-mile... View More

After months of silence on questions related to the potential US withdrawal from the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the USPS finally provided some information at the MTAC Membership Assembly o... View More

The most common complaint that I hear as I travel to different distribution centers is, “We just can’t find good people.” Oftentimes, the complaint is warranted, but many times, it’s... View More

Reshoring, which is the practice of bringing manufacturing and services back to the US, is difficult to quantify, but some organizations have made attempts to measure over time. The Reshoring... View More