Brenda Hambleton, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at ES3, recently received the Pioneer Award at the Second International Physical Internet Conference in Paris, France. This award is given to an individual in recognition of the groundbreaking support he or she has provided of the Physical Internet initiative. The Physical Internet provides a global framework for…
Borders Co-founder to Launch Same-day Delivery using Automation
According to the tech news site Re/code, entrepreneur Louis Borders is developing a subscription based same-day delivery service that delivers products from partnering retailers on the same day they are ordered. His mission may seem recycled, but his vision has potential to be a game changer. Borders, who is not only the co-founder the Borders…
Amazon’s Dash Buttons: Convenience of the Future
Originally announced on March 31st, Amazon’s Dash Buttons were first thought to be an April Fool’s joke; however, the one-touch purchase gadgets are very much real and are now available for purchase. Released within the past week, the buttons, which are physical Wi-Fi enabled devices, allow users to order popular household items from certain brands…
Startup Handpick offers delivery service “Smart Groceries”
Handpick, a recent startup based out of California, first began as a recipe-recommendation app for smartphone users. According to The Next Web, the application, which is available on iOS, offers users recipes based on ingredients already in their possession. Now, the company joins the fray of new businesses and traditional grocers that are attempting to…
The Need for Big Data reaches Grocery
With consumer behavior becoming more erratic than ever, data analytics are crucial for future success in the grocery industry. According to a recent article on brick meets click, grocers need to catch up with other retail sectors and embrace analytical tools that offer both cost savings and the benefits of knowing their customers. Using analytics,…
ES3 & Partners Tour Amazon’s Chattanooga DC
Last week, ES3 and nearly 20 more Partners and/or industry friends toured Amazon’s Chattanooga fulfillment centers. This facility stores small and medium sortable items; basically any item that can fit into one of Amazon’s bright yellow totes. Product is unloaded, and cases are emptied into totes for “stowing,” or put-away in the 1.2 million sq. ft. distribution center….
Milk with your Mail
The USPS has announced plans to begin delivering groceries in the NY metro area, following successful testing in San Francisco, reports Internet Retailer. In a regulatory filing it made earlier this month, the USPS stated its intent to expand it’s Customized Delivery program to NYC and the surrounding areas, totaling 38 zip codes. The program is…
New Robots Aim for Manufacturing Floors
A new generation of robots is about to be unleashed upon the manufacturing world, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report. Designed to be more collaborative, these robots are meant to work in close quarters with humans, and take on tasks that workers previously found taxing. New levels of dexterity have been reached in…
Walmart’s New Subscription Service
Walmart has rolled out a new loyalty program that offers unlimited free, 3-day shipping on 1 million top-selling products for $50 annually. Positioned as a value-alternative to Prime, Amazon’s free 2-day shipping program which costs $99/year, Walmart does not offer any of the perks associated with Prime membership (video streaming, book lending library, etc.). Additionally…
Uber’s New Delivery Program
TechCrunch reports that Uber is planning on launching a new delivery service for retailers through its drivers and Uber Rush couriers. Sources say there are already 400 retailers in talks with Uber for same-day delivery services, including Neiman Marcus, Tiffany’s, and Hugo Boss. This service would be in addition to Uber’s current offerings, which entail…