As we all know, free shipping offers aren’t free. Yet, most shippers feel compelled to extend free shipping to their customers, especially during peak season and for promotional purposes. The challenge... View More

The next 100 years will have as much impact as the last 200on the world’s logistics. The first steamship was in 1776, the original steam locomotive debuted in 1804, the Wright brother’s... View More

In the first two Spend Perspectives columns of 2013, I focused heavily on how the health of the global economy was impacting retailers. I also discussed how lower shipping costs positively impact e-commerce... View More

Order picking in most facilities is where all the action is, and with that being said, it is where usually the greatest opportunity is found. How do you improve your order picking process? Do you have... View More

This month, in our series on primary LTL operational functions, we will address the next operational step after the P&D pickup, the dock operation. Carrier dock cost is one area where a shipper can have... View More

The Obama administration set a goal in 2010 to make export compliance simpler by combining agencies and reducing the number of controlled items over the next several years. Currently, the US departments... View More

The world is ever changing. The Pope just announced that he is stepping down, the USPS is planning to stop Saturday deliveries, and a meteor hit Russia, causing many injuries. The supply chain business... View More

We know the value of shipping with the Big Two. What many shippers may not realize are the benefits of looking outside the box of the Big Two and utilizing an alternate carrier that specializes in residential... View More

Mardi Gras’ first year in New Orleans was in 1857; it has since become the world’s biggest party and has been nicknamed The Greatest Free Show on Earth. Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday and culminates... View More

Back in December, I emphasized how free shipping positively impacts customer satisfaction. When shoppers are happy with both product pricing and shipping costs, they reward the retailer with: more visits,... View More

It’s been 30 years since Eastern Connection opened its doors on Valentine’s Day in 1983 as a regional parcel delivery service. Since then, we’ve lived through dramatic events and industry... View More

I am pleased to report that this installment of PARCEL Counsel marks the seventh anniversary for myself as a columnist for PARCEL magazine. On a personal note, I would like to thank all of the readers... View More

The economy has been volatile to say the least in recent years. Changes are happening rapidly all over the industry. Looking into a crystal ball, what is happening in the future, and how do you prepare... View More

Back in the late seventies when I worked as an Industrial Engineer for LTL carrier Ryder Truck Lines, the Senior Vice President of Operations had on his desk nameplate one word, “Service.”... View More

In September 2012, the United States Postal Service (USPS) made changes in its export forms requirements so that they are more in compliance with US export compliance regulations. Perhaps it is time to... View More

January always brings thoughts of new beginnings, fresh starts, and a better, healthier new year. Let’s put those thoughts to work in your distribution center. While the nation is thinking about... View More

The consumer appetite for faster delivery is accelerating and is being visualized as a key competitive weapon by many firms that you buy from. An enormous number of ventures are vying for differentiation... View More

Route 2013 is fraught with challenges for ecommerce vendors. Retail trendsetters Amazon, Wal-Mart, and eBay have rolled out new services designed to give them even larger market share, parcel shipping... View More

Regular readers of this column know the many benefits of adding regional parcel carriers to their carrier mix. Not only can a shipper significantly reduce their shipping spend, get faster time in transit... View More

In the previous installment of PARCEL Counsel, we took a look at last summer’s Highway Bill, MAP-21, and its provisions relating to the new requirement for transportation brokers and surface freight... View More