On April 1, 2011, via blog, Starbucks announced a new service called Starbucks Mobile Pour. Read the post here. Baristas on scooters stationed every square mile in seven of the largest cities around the country would rapidly fulfill any mobile smartphone order. You could be walking down the street, and a barista on a scooter would whiz by and hand you a coffee. Never go more than 20 seconds without coffee again. Sound too good to be true? It was! Starbuck’s clever 2011 April Fool’s post was a prank. However, last week, Starbucks took a big step in that direction by announcing a pilot delivery service to office desks in certain US markets. Although CEO Howard Schultz did not disclose much detail into the program, he…
collaborate. grow. win.
These words are often overused, but we refuse to give them up just because they have become fashionable. ES3 was founded on a vision of a world where manufacturers and retailers collaborated to streamline the supply chain, reducing cost, increasing speed, and improving sustainability. Collaboration does not work without trust. Our passion for collaboration has carried us through the challenges of establishing an environment of trust, where competitors feel comfortable sharing warehousing and transportation assets. We have worked hard to build processes and systems that ensure that all parties share the benefits that collaboration delivers. We are proud of the Partners who share our vision and were willing to travel the less certain path with us. They have seen the value of the ES3 model…
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 repeat last year’s fiasco. However, consumers are not cooperating. The National Retail Federation expects consumers to complete 44% of their holiday shopping online this year, the highest percentage since pre-recession. UPS is expecting volume to exceed last year’s busiest day of 31 million packages on 6 different days this year. December 22 is expected to be the highest volume day this year, with UPS forecasting delivery of 34 million packages….
The Perfect Thanksgiving Meal From ES3’s Partners
This Thanksgiving, prepare your feast with some of our Partners’ delicious products! From appetizers to dessert, they have you covered! Appetizer- Cocktail Meatballs For an easy appetizer full of flavor, start with Tyson’s home-style frozen meatballs Put meatballs into a crockpot sprayed with Pam spray. Add one jar of Heinz Chili Sauce to crockpot Add one can of Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry sauce Mix together and heat on high heat setting for 4 hours stir & serve For a lower fat alternative use turkey meatballs Perfect Butterball Turkey Roasting a whole Butterball turkey is easier than you think. Just follow these simple instructions for a fresh or thawed turkey: Preheat oven to 325° F. Drain juices and pat dry with clean paper towels….
Consumers Will Trade Personal Info for Deals
In a new study from Fierce Retail, 60% of shoppers said they are comfortable giving out personal information, anonymously, to their favorite stores, in order to receive benefits and rewards. The majority, or 56%, said they would give the same information to brands, while just under half of respondents, 46%, would also give the information to product apps. The study also found that consumers are willing to share geo-location to receive targeted deals based on their current location, welcome news to wearable device makers. Unsurprisingly, Millennials were the most willing to share personal information, likely due to the fact that they grew up trading data for personalization and convenience. 60% of U.S. Shoppers Will Divulge Personal Information to Favorite Stores By Jacqueline Renfrow A…
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 delivery windows. This service expansion follows an earlier move by the USPS to slash prices on priority mail packages, aimed at competing more efficiently in an ecommerce world. This new service has potential, as last-mile delivery still needs to be solved, and likely provides an inexpensive way for retailers to reach their customers. Retailers would have to drop off their packages at least a half hour before the delivery window…
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%, and saves 20-35% of the costs over a conventional supply chain. It uses only 25% of the resources needed for two laborers to pack dunnage, seal, and label a box. As the industry chases next-day and even same-day delivery, on-demand packaging saves time, materials, labor, and ultimately costs. Is On-Demand Packaging Ready to Take Off? Frank Cavallaro, Founder and CEO, Fronetics Strategic Advisors Multi-channel distribution is likely to fuel the…
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 over $15 for a month ($10) or for a year ($95), directly challenging Amazon’s Prime subscription service. Google is also going after Amazon Fresh, testing delivery of fresh food in the San Francisco area. Subscription to Prime Fresh is $299 a year; shoppers can pick from more than 50,000 items. Conversely, Google Express works across physical retailers to make their products available online, including PetSmart, Walgreens, and Sports Authority….
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 into a retailer’s existing app or standalone, allows consumers to find and purchase products from a retailer using their mobile phone. After purchase, at a time when it’s convenient for the consumer, he/she drives to the store and picks-up the item. The store is notified of the consumers’ impending arrival once the consumer crosses the store’s geo-fence. Participating retailers have a tent set up curbside, and store associates will load the…
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 their Swapbox location, and then receives a text and/or email when their package has arrived. Swapbox has also figured out pickup windows: packages are stored for 72 hours, and can be stored for longer time periods if a package arrives while you are busy or traveling. Shipping is even easier. Consumers bring their unwrapped package to the Swapbox location, and type the shipping location into the keypad. Swapbox will package…