Logistics

Beijing – Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com Inc. has unveiled an enhanced version of its online enterprise procurement platform, JD Enterprise. The JD Enterprise Intelligent Procurement Platform, initially launched in late 2014, uses data-driven insights to make the procurement process more efficient for both suppliers and customers.

The new services unveiled will enable corporate customers to manage more of their procurement functions directly via JD Enterprise.

Atlanta - UPS is expanding the number of locations customers can pick up and drop off packages. The company is expanding the number of cities it offers the UPS Access Point network, which offers package pickup and drop-off at local businesses, primarily neighborhood convenience and grocery stores, dry cleaners and delicatessens with extended evening and weekend hours.

Seattle – Amazon.com continues its evolution into a full-service technology platform with three services essentially designed to help retailers do everything. These services include support for start-ups, expansion of the Amazon Aurora database engine, and a hosted fulfillment/logistics platform.

Toronto -- Lowe's Canada announced the appointment of Gregor Stuart to the new position of VP, supply chain, effective July 27.

Gregor joins Lowe's Canada with over 25 years of supply chain and logistics experience in the retail industry. He has held various senior roles with prominent Canadian retailers including Loblaw Companies Limited, The Bargain! Shop, Hudson's Bay Company, Canadian Tire Corporation LTD and National Grocers Co.

Beijing, China - Tmall.com, an online shopping platform run by Alibaba Group, is launching same-day grocery delivery services to residents of Beijing. Beijing residents who order from Tmall’s supermarket before 11 a.m. will be eligible for the delivery service, called Tmall Supermarket.

Tmall is partnering with Cainiao, the logistics affiliate of Alibaba Group, to deliver the service, In the future, Tmall Supermarket and Cainiao plan to roll-out same-day delivery services to Shanghai and other Chinese cities.

Toronto – Lowe’s Canada is in growth mode. In addition to completing the acquisition of 12 former Target sites, the company also plans to open two more locations in Ontario, which will bring its total store count to 54 from 40.

Though it’s been months since the West Coast port disputes were in the headlines, retailers are still struggling to return inventory levels back to normal after the incident and an abnormally long, cold winter resulted in serious supply chain and inventory disruptions.

San Francisco - Gap Inc. is supporting front-end omnichannel retail operations with back-end seamless inventory capabilities. Using a “seamless inventory” model supported by technology from GT Nexus, Gap focuses on having the right products at the right time for the right channel.