Despite losing momentum sequentially for the last three months of the year, holiday sales grew 8.3% year-over-year. The surprising data is further evidence of the resilience of the American consumer, and the ability for retailers to influence how and when people shop.

Reshoring had been in a slump the past decade, but 2020 saw it increase by more than 45%. As companies look to bring home operations, nearshoring will be on the rise.

The Trump Administration announced an import ban on all cotton and tomato products originating in China’s Xinjiang region citing evidence of forced labor. This ban is much bigger than just cotton and tomatoes. It is a call to action for all retailers to better understand their sourcing practices.

The Outbound Tender Reject Index has declined substantially since the beginning of the year. This shouldn’t be seen as a sign of a material capacity loosening, rather an effect of the ongoing rebid season pushing contract rates higher.

OEMs will be able to close the gap that Tesla created with the help of energy policies from the White House and infrastructure already set in place.

Recent analysis from Gartner shows retailers with more than 50% of revenue from the online channel have logistics costs as a percentage of sales that are almost double those of their store-focused counterparts.

Even when a case seems clear cut, like an employee being under the influence of drugs on the job, the outcome may not be the anticipated outcome, and can often times be tied to actions (or inactions) by the employer.

Dealerships across the nation are already feeling the pressure of low inventory levels. A chip shortage is turning up the heat even more.

This is an excerpt from Monday’s Point of Sale retail supply chain newsletter. The UK grocery supermarket sector was once highly oligopolistic, but in recent years, European brands have expanded […]

Award-winning journalist Mike McAllister has been named editor in chief at FreightWaves. His background includes editing and writing positions at PGATOUR.com, ESPN.com, Sports Illustrated and The Dallas Morning News.

Bed, Bath & Beyond reported EPS of less than half consensus estimates. CEO Mark Tritton pointed to tight shipping capacity and elevated freight costs for the miss. Get used to hearing this.

With 2020 in the rearview, there are promising signs that point towards industry growth if one crucial thing takes place: tight inventory levels need to be replenished.

COVID induced demand for goods and spending in the home. How will spending behavior change when vaccines are widespread? Retail Analyst Andrew Cox believes consumer spending will be “A Tale of Two Halves”. See what he means:

The stage is set for a historically strong Q1 for freight with a slow vaccine rollout keeping a lid on services spending, and consumers are flush with recent stimulus as well as the hopes for more to come. The freight bull market rages on to start 2021.

FreightWaves launches Long-Haul Crime Log, a weekly true-crime podcast about the dark side of the world of freight. Our first episode covers the crimes of an executed trucker, drug busts at the U.S.-Mexico border and cyberattacks on the trucking industry.

Retail analyst Andrew Cox makes five predictions for retail supply chains in 2021. First and foremost: An inventory correction.

Automakers have put a high priority on EVs as the world shifts to cleaner modes of transportation. With demand for EVs forecasted to rise, the demand for rare earth metals used in both EV drivetrains and batteries will definitely be on the rise as well.

There’s so much change happening around the world as society advocates for sustainable and clean transportation. Although a lot of the hype generated from EV development is deserved, some people believe EVs are overhyped, including Toyota President Akio Toyoda.

It’s safe to say that Apple has a major portion of the electronic market on lockdown. Apple’s next strategic move? Developing its own self-driving car and taking it to the streets by 2024. No joke.

For Emerge, the year began with new funding. As the year comes to a close to a close, it has debuted a “major step” in its product strategy.

Flexport is a technology company, more than a logistics operator. It uses technology to connect the dots for customers and freight transport providers so they can collaborate more easily.

After months of anticipation, COVID vaccines are finally rolling out across the country. However, both GM and Ford have decided against a mandatory vaccination policy.

FreightWaves won the “Best Overall Culture – Southeast” award from Powderkeg. Learn more!

Over the past week, several economic indicators began flashing yellow signs just one week after the freight market did so. Volumes are retreating. drivers are exiting the highway for home, and rates have likely peaked.

Shippers are looking to speed up delivery and avoid long wait times by utilizing space on the East Coast. As a result, import volumes at eastern ports are on the rise.

It is difficult to predict how courts will rule on mandatory coronavirus vaccinations under both Title VII and the ADA. In addition to legal considerations, employers should also consider whether such a policy is necessary and the effect it may have on company culture.

Vaccine distribution won’t delay deliveries of your Honey Baked Ham and toilet paper, says CNBC’s Lori Ann LaRocco.

QuantumScape, a producer of solid-state lithium batteries, has announced a major breakthrough that enables batteries to get an 80% charge in as little as 15 minutes.

For this study, FreightWaves partnered with Redwood Logistics to assess the current state of the manufacturing industry.

FreightWaves teamed with Spireon to survey carriers about the impacts of trailer detention.

FreightWaves teamed with France-based third-party logistics (3PL) provider GEODIS to address the current pain points that small to midsize shippers in the retail and fast-moving consumer goods space face as they approach transportation management in the COVID-19 era.

Interested in learning more about the TCA Profitability Program (TPP) and how benchmarking and data can help with your trucking operations in 2021 and beyond? TCA and FreightWaves will be hosting an informative, complimentary webinar at 1 p.m. ET, December 16.

The German automaker wants to put all its time and energy into R&D and building infrastructure that supports the production of EVs, such as plant improvements and equipment upgrades.

There is a strong pipeline of West Coast imports that should feed those markets well into Q1, but the retail portions will be less time-sensitive post-Christmas. The one factor that may be suppressing volumes in the holiday season is retailers’ decision to slow the velocity of their sales in the face of low inventory levels.

2020 had promised to be an interesting year for the shipping industry. However, it has posed unprecedented challenges. This white paper from S&P Global Platts looks at those challenges and provides solutions.

General Motors is not playing games when it comes to EV expansions. GM’s next move? Offering buyouts for Cadillac dealers who don’t want to invest in the necessary EV upgrades.

On Dec. 1, KCS announced that the blockades had officially come to an end. The Mexican economy has taken a hit due to the pandemic and the protests only added to the hurt.

In the heat of peak holiday season, our thesis is largely the same: relatively tight capacity, strong volumes and positive cyclicality. The low inventory-to-sales ratio, strong consumer sentiment and spending, lack of service-based spending options and acceleration of e-commerce growth all bolster our belief.

First, Spire collects the ship-movement data from orbit. Then algorithms use that data to reveal the patterns of global shipping.

A Ninth Circuit court decision can be considered a win for employers facing wage and hour class actions based on alleged technical violations of California’s rest break laws, but it doesn’t mean employers should let their guard down.

The partnership will give shippers access to smaller trucking operators.

FedEx and UPS are running into a van shortage amid a record surge in parcel volumes. As the number of packages increases during the holidays, carriers are finding themselves without vans to make final mile deliveries.

The average dry van carrier operating ratio for Truckload Carriers Association members dipped to a multiyear low in September, falling below 94% for the first time since late 2015.

There is an ongoing race for EV domination as automakers across the globe push to be No. 1 in the EV market. Today’s focus? Tesla’s strategy to stay on top.

Detroit, like the rest of the U.S, is experiencing a resurgence of positive COVID-19 tests. However, the auto industry is projected to continue operations as normal thanks to effective virus protocols in place.

The national reefer rejection index (ROTRI) topped 48% for the first time since the index’s creation this week, which could move even higher once the vaccine for COVID-19 begins being distributed in the coming months.

While critics who oppose the USMCA believe this deal will ultimately disincentivize automotive companies to keep manufacturing facilities in North America due to an increase in production costs, there are strong country-of-origin protections in place that we believe will intensify North American automotive production.

Both truckload tenders and tender rejections rose this week. If spot rates are to continue the succinct but lagging dance with tender rejections, we should see spot rates inflate over the next two weeks. Also, with Thanksgiving just a week away, drivers will be seeking freight that drives them toward home, which typically pushes rejections and spot rates higher.

Cargo transportation companies that ship goods to support NASA space missions will have a much cooler image than Earth-based haulers. SpaceWaves is a virtual conference designed to explore NASA’s needs in space and how logistics innovators can help the mission.

This white paper, developed in partnership with Ryder, examines the ways that e-commerce has changed the way we purchase and recieve goods, what the expectations are for a retailer in 2020 and how a smaller player can compete with the big box stores.

Baton releases case study demonstrating efficiency gains as the last-mile startup builds out tech-enabled network of trailer drop yards and local drivers.

Protestors blocking ports and rail ramps in the Mexican state of Michoacán are disrupting Kansas City Southern de Mexico’s operations and damaging Mexico’s economy.

COVID-19 and 2020 have presented a plethora of unique challenges to the automotive industry, including demand fluctuations, supply disruptions, capacity shortages and elevated rates.

A federal order issued by President Donald Trump late in September creates new requirements for federal contractors with regards to race and sex stereotyping in workplace training.

An increase in consumer demand is causing a container clog, with many ports and carriers running out of space. This surge has caused container prices to sharply increase, forcing automotive suppliers to pay a pretty penny for real estate on these large container ships.

We expect strong holiday truckload and parcel demand
driven by a consumer spending portfolio that has been weighted heavily toward goods over services since the pandemic began. We believe that we are now in peak season and that shippers’ requests for trucking capacity will continue to rise.

FreightWaves Classics will present articles about key events, companies,, organizations, etc. from the history of transportation, logistics, supply chain and freight.

The insights within this paper are curated by the market experts and backed by data from FreightWaves’ SONAR platform.

This Carrier Outlook Report — presented in partnership with SkyBitz, DDC FPO, and Transflo — is the fourth installment of a quarterly publication. This report provides a look back at 2020 and a forecast for the remainder of the year. Carrier survey results and SONAR data are included.

Air Canada revenues came in below expectations, but the company was able to cut costs to beat earnings expectations.

We’re creating targeted content for the retail, CPG, and automotive supply chains.

FreightWaves CEO announces SONAR SCI at FW LIVE @Home. SCI stands for “supply chain intelligence.” Read how SONAR SCI can help your business.

This week’s DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index: 80 (Carriers) Last week’s DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index: 75 (Carriers) Three-month DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index Outlook: 65 (Carriers) […]

Digitalization is giving freight-industry participants the flexibility they need to deal with the COVID-heightened pace of change.

Andrew and Seth are joined by Thiago Olson, Managing Director of Engage Ventures to discuss Engage’s unique VC model, their hyper-focus on southeastern startups and what opportunities he is seeing […]

The freight business is both complicated and asset-heavy. To be successful, tech startups need to know the freight business, its pain points and its limitations.

A legal decision in favor of an employer puts additional burden on an employee to show whether they worked overtime without compensation.

Ryder is using its fleet and supply chain as a laboratory for new technologies from startup companies it supports.

TRUX, the leader in dump truck logistics technology, is the latest member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA). Read why.

Certain types of business models are more attractive to venture capitalists.

PortPro Technologies has introduced a next-generation, web-based TMS built for drayage carriers.

DispatchTrack optimizes routes and delivery schedules for its clients, which enhances their customer delivery experience.

Freight volumes and capacity remain historically strong for carriers even though OTVI and OTRI have fallen steadily throughout October.

Procurement teams would have to change strategies from being reactive to proactive to handle black swan events or global trade standoffs.

Kirby tops earnings expectations on lower costs despite COVID and hurricane hits to demand.

Canadian e-commerce company Shopify grows profits and revenue in third quarter as COVID-19 accelerates move from mortar to online shopping.

Data Gumbo uses blockchain to automate transactions between buyers and sellers using a combination of data held by those parties and other third parties as verification.

Logistics giant Ryder System has launched a venture fund targeting startups in supply chain and transportation tech.

While EDI is a standardized way of data transfer, API provides flexibility and allows companies to customize and call the data sets that they want whenever they want.

High cost of repositioning reefer equipment is hitting food exporters hard amid ongoing tariff fallout.

This week’s DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index: 75 (Carriers) Last week’s DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index: 80 (Carriers) Three-month DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index Outlook: 75 (Carriers) […]

ZUUM brings shippers, brokers and carriers together to create synergy by resolving the fragmentation in technology adoption, data and capacity.

Rush Enterprises reported lower Q3 sales and earnings. But the truck dealership network exceeded analyst estimates in both top and bottom line.

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) reported third-quarter revenue of $8.77 billion, a year-over-year increase of 39%. The total from the company came in higher than estimates of $8.26 billion. Automotive revenue was $7.6 […]

TruckX has introduced a ruggedized wired ELD setup, which reduces the operational difficulties that come with using a bluetooth ELD solution.

PACCAR Inc. earnings fell in the third quarter but the maker of Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF Trucks continued a string of beating earnings estimates.

The Truckload Carriers Association member company and TCA Profitability Program Retention Project member, Steve’s Livestock Transport was honored during this year’s Top Fleet Employer awards gala.

FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller was interviewed for the podcast “The Business of Content.” Read highlights here.

Fleetpal is built on VMRS, the universal coding system, allowing it to track and segment equipment failure and operating costs efficiently.

An assessment of carrier technology trends

Carriers lose marginal ground this week as tender volumes, tender rejections and spot rates slip. Carriers remain in an advantageous position heading into the holiday season.

FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller appeared on the A Media Operator podcast. Read highlights of the podcast here.

While COVID-19 helped increase e-commerce sales volumes, retailers struggle to manage lengthening holiday season lead times.

A federal district court has found that the Department of Labor’s final rule that narrowed the definition of joint employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act violated the Administrative Procedure Act has struck down portions of the rule.

We discuss Ted Weschler, Berkshire money manager and his move to purchase $45mm of Dillard’s stock. Then, we break down some of the most notable upcoming futuristic SPACs.

FlockFreight pools together LTL freight and ships it via shared truckloads in full truckload containers instead.

Redwood Logistics on Tuesday announced it has added payment processing capabilities from TriumphPay. As Redwood’s primary payment partner, TriumphPay will handle all carrier payments, allowing trucking companies to manage their […]

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) reported quarterly losses of $3.30 per share, which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $3 by 10%. This is a 242% decrease over earnings of $2.32 […]

S&P Global Ratings extended its bullish appraisal of electric vehicle maker Tesla (NASDAQL TSLA), upgrading the company’s debt rating from B+ to BB-. The raise puts the electric automaker just […]

Saudi Arabia-based Tachyon joins the Blockchain in Transport Alliance.