Last Thursday, Amazon implemented Amazon Prime Now, yet another benefit for Prime subscribers, a one-hour delivery service for select products in Manhattan. One-hour delivery costs $7.99, but two-hour delivery is completely free for Prime members. The online retail giant has not disclosed logistical details, but its new 17-year lease on over 400,000 square feet of…
Archives for Industry News
Amazon Takes on Seamless and GrubHub with New Service
Amazon has expanded its Amazon Local services to include food takeout and delivery from participating restaurants in the Seattle area. This expansion directly positions companies like Seamless and GrubHub in Amazon’s crosshairs, as it looks to dominate the market. So far, the service has followed Amazon’s typical launch path, as the service is currently only…
Reducing Food Waste- Infographics from GMA, FMI and NRA
The amount of food wasted in the US, and the amount of people who lack access to safe and nutritious food in the US, provide two compelling reasons to join forces to reduce waste. The Food Waste Reduction Alliance, comprised of the FMI, GMA, and NRA organizations, was founded to do exactly that. The organization…
Click & Collect Comes to New Hampshire
There are lots of great things going on in grocery delivery. I get excited about tests of home delivery in San Francisco and New York. I am envious of Peapod services in Boston. Those of us who live in rural areas know that we are not likely to see drones in the sky any time…
UPS Holiday Volume to Peak on Dec. 22
UPS expects to deliver more than 585 million packages this December, up 11% over last year. During the 2013 Holiday Season, bad weather and last-minute orders prevented UPS and FedEx from meeting Christmas delivery deadlines, resulting in many unhappy customers. This year, both FedEx and UPS have increased capacity and tightened last-minute order deadlines in order to not…
USPS Will Expand Grocery Delivery Pilot
The USPS announced plans to expand its early-morning package delivery service pilot for 2 years in San Francisco. Currently, the USPS delivers Amazon Fresh totes to consumers’ homes during a 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. delivery window. The approved pilot would allow these operations to continue, and open up the pilot to additional retailers and…
Is On-Demand Packaging the Solution?
On-demand packaging saves time and money down the supply chain. Currently, only 7% of companies make their boxes on-demand, but more and more companies are becoming familiar with the automated technology (up to 27% in 2013 from 18% in 2012). On-demand packaging reduces the quantity of corrugate required by 28%, reduces filling material by 80-90%,…
Google Express Pilots Fresh Deliveries and Subscriptions
Google Express has shortened its name, but broadened its services. Formerly known as Google Shopping Express, Google’s same-day delivery service announced expansion to Boston, Chicago, and Washington D.C., in addition to its previous service areas of the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and NYC. The service is now available for subscription, offering unlimited deliveries of orders…
Curbside: Order for Pick-Up
To-go orders have long been the calling cards of fast-casual chains, but a new app aims to introduce the concept to shopping. Curbside, founded by former Apple engineers, allows consumers to purchase items on their mobile device and have the order subsequently loaded into their car at the retailer’s curb. Curbside, which can be integrated…
Swapbox: The Robotic Post Office
A new start-up out of San Francisco, Swapbox bills itself as a robotic post office, providing shipping and receiving services. This dual functionality of the Swapbox differentiates it from other locker programs, as most only offer delivery. Additionally, Swapbox works across all retailers, similar to a PO Box. When checking out online, the shopper enters…