Modern Shipper covers the gig economy, including same-day, on-demand, and last-mile delivery jobs and services. Readers will find current news on gig economy companies, gig economy workers, gig economy data and trends. In addition, Modern Shipper focuses on e-commerce, e-commerce platforms and companies, and e-commerce services and technologies.
The seasonally adjusted jobs number for truck transportation has now been more than the previous high level for two consecutive months.
With just about everything in short supply, circular logistics lets companies keep their inventories stocked by sourcing from their own customers.
A new coalition, Justice for App Workers, is aiming to unionize about 100,000 ride-share and delivery drivers in New York City.
Lula has raised $5.5 million for its platform that connects convenience stores with last-mile delivery providers.
Top executives resigned at ELMS Inc. following a board probe into their discounted stock purchases before a SPAC merger.
Los Angeles-based Virgin Hyperloop, formerly Virgin Hyperloop One, has raised more than $400 million in private capital since its founding in 2014.
Pitney Bowes’ Nita Lathia becomes head of marketplaces for Passport.
Logistics provider GXO is now using 3D technology to automatically measure and size shipping boxes to the item being shipped.
UPS posted its best quarterly operating profit in its history. It also declared a 49% dividend increase.
RenoRun, a last-mile delivery provider of building and construction materials, has raised $142 million in a series B round and announced its expansion to Washington, D.C.
Glencore is selling its metals warehousing business to Malaysia-based Infinity Logistics and Transport Ventures.
E-commerce is becoming an increasing area of focus for some ocean carriers.
Data collection is only part of the solution for e-commerce brands. It’s understanding what to do with that data and how much to share with customers that really matters.
Robomart, the company pioneering the store on wheels, is ready to shape the future of retail delivery with its store-hailing model.
New provisions approved by New York Mayor Eric Adams this week will transform working conditions for food delivery workers.
BigCommerce is focused on ramping up its B2B offerings as e-commerce continues to overtake traditional business buying practices.
Point Pickup is launching a gig economy app that rewards workers for making deliveries through the platform.
Merchants Fleet CEO Brendan Keegan discusses the company’s 2021 performance and his outlook for this year.
The DHL unit is the first commercial customer of Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robots.
Elroy Air wants to enable same-day delivery to every person on the planet. It’s now one step closer with the reveal of its flagship model.
BJ’s Wholesale Club is acquiring four distribution centers and the related private truck fleets from Burris Logistics as it looks to secure its refrigerated supply chain.
One of the more underserved segments in a decidedly underserved industry, LTL is getting a boost from Relay Payments.
With its foundation in place, Gatik looks to accelerate middle-mile autonomous deliveries across North America.
Germany’s Wingcopter struck a deal with aerial medical services company Spright to deliver medical supplies to underserved areas of the U.S. via drone.
According to Deloitte’s 2022 Retail Industry Outlook, supply chain automation and voice-enabled commerce are top of mind for retailers.
Amazon doesn’t have any pilots. It outsources flight operations to airlines. Find out which one is supporting cargo service to Wichita.
Host John Kingston also looks at renewable diesel, which might not be as plentiful as envisioned.
E-commerce personalization platforms are playing an increasingly important role in the success of last-mile delivery.
Chicago leads all markets, while Greenville-Spartanburg makes the top 10 list for the first time.
The Postal Service, bogged down by delivery delays and staff shortages, is taking on a monumental task from Washington –– can it succeed?
Extending a long-term relationship with Isuzu, Cummins will power a Class 6 medium-duty cabover battery-electric prototype.
DroneUp CEO Tom Walker sat down with Modern Shipper to discuss his company’s expanding delivery business, including its partnership with Walmart.
David Weil would have a key role in determining the federal definition of an independent contractor.
In a move that will triple its European carrier base, FourKites is building the continent’s largest multimodal carrier network.
Electric cargo bike delivery provider Urb-E is expanding to Los Angeles as the first city in an expansion of its service in 2022.
XPO adds two terminals and 50 dock doors to its North American network.
Data indicates delivery companies may have been overstaffed for the peak shipping season, leading to fewer delays and a successful season.
Warehouse robotics firm Exotec has raised $335 million in funding as it looks to deploy more of its solutions in fulfillment operations.
Autonomous sidewalk delivery company Serve Robotics completed robot deliveries with zero human interaction — an industry first.
Robotic Assistance Devices Mobile is looking to bring to market a 700-pound autonomous robot for logistics and last-mile delivery operations.
Australian officials’ resolution of recent raven-on-drone attacks isn’t much to crow about.
In this edition, Fontinalis partner Chris Stallman describes his life-long passion for finance and his favorite 2022 FreightTech themes.
JK Moving Services and Kido are two very different businesses, but both SMBs can teach other companies about how to weather a global crisis.
Vantiq is joining forces with IBM, Infosys and others to create a low-code retail development platform designed to encourage innovation.
An IBM and NRF survey of consumers finds that hybrid shopping options are becoming the default preference for many.
Google-backed Nuro has released its third-generation delivery vehicle, simply called Nuro, and will partner with Kroger to roll it out in Houston.
Ricoh USA will provide technical and customer support for warehouse fulfillment robotics made by 6 River Systems.
The latest state of fulfillment report from Bringg finds retailers adapting to faster delivery and fulfillment demands, but many challenges continue to hamper efforts at meeting consumer demands.
Berkshire Grey has introduced software that allows two of its popular sorting and picking products to efficiently switch to reverse logistics operations when needed.
Walmart InHome customers in Florida will get first access to HomeValet’s Smart Box, a lockable, temperature-controlled porch box.
The Project Evolve initiative may take UPS’ visibility tools further than they’ve ever gone before.
Cart.com, an end-to-end e-commerce platform, has completed the purchase of Dallas-based fulfillment and logistics company FB Flurry.
Premium experiences, mobile access and fast delivery are among the keys to driving e-commerce sales, two new surveys find.
Estonia-based Bolt offers a platform similar to Uber’s, with a ride-hailing business and food and grocery delivery services.
While Amazon is the 800-pound retail gorilla, most retailers are focused on more immediate concerns, such as meeting fulfillment and delivery demands.
Miami-based Elion is adding 10 last-mile logistics assets in a $245 million deal.
A collaborative effort kept the delivery Grinch at bay this peak season.
UPS matched last year’s performance, while the Postal Service improved considerably, ShipMatrix says.
Warehouse executives see great potential with AI, but most feel it is being underutilized due to a lack of understanding.
A new report predicts that the adoption of drones and self-driving delivery vehicles will accelerate in the years ahead, creating a $4.9 billion market by 2030.
Uber has announced it will no longer deliver from restaurants in Brazil through its Eats platform, focusing instead on growing its grocery and retail delivery businesses.
After Amazon announced it would become the first customer for Stellantis’ ProMaster electric van, Rivian stock tumbled, dropping more than 20% at one point.
BrightDrop announced FedEx has ordered 2,000 additional electric vans and is in discussions for up to 20,000 more. Walmart also has placed an order for EVs, planning to add 5,000 to its home delivery fleet.
New last-mile delivery vehicles and electric platforms from Udelv, Ree Automotive and Lightning eMotors have been announced in recent days.
Walmart plans to rapidly expand its InHome Delivery service, hiring 3,000 drivers to handle deliveries.
California officials are going to court again to try to mitigate the emissions impact of a new air logistics center at the San Bernardino Airport anchored by Amazon Air.
The case that spurred the NLRB action is not about a transportation company, but the independent contractor definition continues to be a big issue for trucking.
Blume Global’s customers have access to the manufacturing solutions provided by LiveSource, including tools for value analysis and engineering, product part approval processes, advanced product quality planning and nonconforming reporting.
Real estate firm CBRE is the latest global leader to invest in logistics real estate with its nearly $5 billion acquisition of 28 million square feet of assets.
Supply chain disruptions will not disappear in 2022, so e-commerce businesses need to consider how they will navigate a new normal.
It was a hectic — but profitable — year for the world’s largest online retailer. What does that say about e-commerce and where it’s going?
As COVID ravaged the economy, the gig economy boomed. Responding to the need, gig workers stepped up to ensure groceries were delivered and e-commerce orders arrived on time.
Following the seemingly unusual acquisition of AirTerra in August, American Eagle Outfitters is dipping back into the logistics well.
New tax reporting standards that go into effect in January could help or hurt gig workers, depending on how their employers react.
If shopping in 2021 could be summed up in one word, it would be e-commerce. Online shopping has had profound effects on the global economy.
Straight from the mouths of executives at Flytrex, DroneDek, Zipline and Draganfly, here are predictions on where drone delivery will be in five years.
Whether you’re running an online store or a brick-and-mortar outlet, timely deliveries are crucial for a hassle-free purchase experience.
As fulfilment operations evolve to meet fast-shipping demands of e-commerce, robotics has become the default option to increase throughput.
Using augmented reality technology, augmented shopping is allowing brands to create virtual showrooms, fitting rooms and much more.
‘When shoppers form an addiction to Amazon, it affects their lives in surprising ways,’ says supply chain data company TransImpact
Tel Aviv-based delivery platform Bringg wants to bring unprecedented flexibility to the last mile.
Perhaps no single segment of the supply chain was more affected by the COVID pandemic than last-mile delivery. The final mile has undergone an evolution as e-commerce and faster delivery demands take hold.
The unit of the financial services titan becomes a big player in U.S. logistics real estate.
Strong performances by UPS and the Postal Service cap a quiet peak season.
Commercial real estate sales continued to boom in 2021, with prices up 27.4% on a year-over-year basis in November.
Drone delivery reached new heights in 2021, and as a result, there was no shortage of interest in the technology.
The levies on various services come three weeks after annual rate increases kick in and one day after peak-season fees drop off.
Sources within GLP told The Washington Post that the public company will manage about $100 billion in U.S. logistics real estate assets.
The test by the startup company is not being viewed as a proof of concept but rather to demonstrate its model to midsized companies.
Optimizing a broader carrier base can work wonders for shippers. The trick is how to balance new partners without tossing the benefits of the old ones.
Maersk is becoming an integrated logistics goliath with the ability to provide freight management, transportation, warehousing and e-commerce fulfillment for big retailers and manufacturers.
Sun Country maintains labor peace with its pilots.
Gatego’s platform has an interface for both shippers and carriers that allows both parties to keep track of check-ins and yard inventory across multiple yards.
Veho, a crowdsourced e-commerce delivery platform, has raised $125 million to become last-mile delivery’s latest unicorn company.
UPS Airlines boosts its fleet with a big order for Boeing cargo jets.
B2B e-commerce is exploding, but payments processes are not keeping up, turning what should be a seamless experience into a frustrating process for many.
The Bay Area-based autonomous vehicle maker received an investment from TDK Ventures, a subsidiary of Japanese multinational electronics company TDK Corp.
Don’t be afraid of the drone swarm. It’s just Korean Air’s approach to using several drones at once to visually inspect its aircraft.
The customer journey should not end with a return, said parcelLab CEO Tobias Buxhoidt. Instead, the return should represent another opportunity to build a loyal customer.
OSHA extends compliance deadlines for its vaccination mandate to Jan. 10 and Feb. 9 as ATA takes the fight to the Supreme Court.
