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.
Last-mile delivery of big items is slowing down as fewer houses change hands in a difficult real estate market. Carriers are trying to beat competitors in a slowing market with top-notch service and technology, but also need more scale to deal with vertically integrated retailers.
Maersk will fulfill orders for the Northeast region for a large e-commerce seller from a new Boston facility.
DoorDash has synced its marketplace with the Shopify app to enable small retailers with stores to utilize its on-demand delivery network.
Cheap parcels entering the European Union are subject to a 3 euro customs fee as of July 1, forcing retailers to overhaul internal systems to ensure compliance and raising questions about whether shoppers will be put off by higher fees passed through to them.
E-commerce platform Vinted is entering the Australian market and has signed Australia Post to support all parcel shipments.
Transfix has integrated Highway’s carrier vetting technology into its transportation management system, allowing freight brokers and third-party logistics providers to verify carrier identity, insurance and operating authority without leaving the platform. The integration reflects a broader industry shift toward embedding fraud prevention directly into transportation management software.
The Teamsters union is gearing up to file grievances against UPS for allegedly funneling package delivery to Roadie, a subsidiary that uses less-expensive gig drivers.
After criminals allegedly hijacked a Walmart-bound shipment, Global Protection discovered that legitimate carriers, drivers and paperwork are not always enough. The company explains how the incident changed its approach to verification and why slowing down became part of its security strategy.
DHL Express and digital platform Stasher are partnering to provide luggage storage for travelers in the United States who are in-between accommodations or destinations and need a convenient, secure drop point.
Samsara has settled a trade secret dispute with a former employee who left to join competitor Motive.
Amazon has deployed 1 million robots, mostly in the United States. Now it is investing heavily to expand robot use across fulfillment centers in Europe.
Samsara raised its full-year outlook as it inks new contracts with customers active in the buildout of data centers and public infrastructure.
Walmart is making e-commerce delivery more convenient with a new 30-minute delivery service, an offer to deliver Subway sandwiches from in-store restaurants, and the expansion of its membership program, which includes free delivery, in Canada.
Two e-commerce fulfillment providers have opened new warehouses in Texas and Oklahoma.
Amazon is making deliveries in the District of Columbia using battery-powered cargo bikes, part of a broader micromobility policy aimed at reducing emissions, noise and congestion in cities.
Stord investors have provided more funding to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in the company’s e-commerce fulfillment centers, bringing the total amount raised to nearly $800M over the past decade.
Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas is calling for an investigation into Chinese-controlled parcel delivery companies in the U.S., saying they receive heavy subsidies that allow them to underprice domestic carriers and could be sharing critical U.S. market data with the Chinese government.
Walmart’s sophisticated supply chain system is allowing it to speed up delivery speeds to customers who order online. The extra convenience was a key factor in the company’s 26% gain in e-commerce sales during the first quarter.
Authorities in Florida arrested 14 suspects tied to what investigators describe as a highly organized theft network responsible for millions in stolen merchandise. Detectives say the group operated across multiple states while using logistics, resale operations, and coordinated theft methods that resembled a structured criminal enterprise more than isolated retail theft.
Amazon is expanding its new 30-minute delivery service to dozens of U.S. cities this year.
