Logistics

Amazon continues to expand its already considerable fulfillment capabilities.    The online giant is set to open its third distribution center in Nevada, a move that will service customers in the southwest.   The new 800,000-square-foot facility, which will open in North Las Vegas, will employ more than 1,000 full-time workers who will pick, pack and ship larger customer items, such as big-screen televisions, kayaks and patio furniture.   

Here’s a daunting statistic: The value of merchandise ordered via same-day delivery is expected to exceed $4 billion by 2018 — it was $100 million in 2014. The big reason for this jump is the grueling pace set by Amazon Prime Now, which offers two-hour delivery for consumers in 27 US markets and counting.   

Today, many businesses make free shipping standard. Or, establish majorly moderate price points through which consumers can earn free shipping.    However, free shipping often comes with a price – literally and figuratively. And the truth is, many companies are not positioned to do “free” shipping all that well.   

To compete with Amazon’s pickup points and lockers, Newegg now offers order pickup service across more than 2,500 locations.   While most online shoppers ship items to their homes, a growing number of people prefer the security and convenience of retrieving their packages at a store or retail location. Through a partnership with FedEx, Newegg shoppers can now order and pick-up packages at more than 2,500 FedEx locations throughout the United States, including 1,800 FedEx Office retail stores.   

Dollar General is working out details to construct a $91 million distribution center in Orange County, New York.   The chain is eyeing the creation of a 750,000-square-foot distribution hub on a 100-acre site in the town of Florida, N.Y., the Albany Business Review reported.      The building would supply merchandise to 1,000 stores in the Northeast, and could bring more than 500 jobs to the Albany, N.Y., region over the next five years, according to the report.   

The bankruptcy of South Korean shipping giant Hanjin Shipping is forcing retail chains to spend lots of extra cash to get their goods through ports to warehouses in time for the holiday shopping season, the Los Angeles Times reported.   

Target Corp. continues to beef up its supply chain management capabilities.    The discounter announced it has appointed Shekar Natarajan to the newly-created role of senior VP, network planning and operational design, effective Nov. 20.   Natarajan, a 15-year supply chain veteran, was most recently VP of last mile operations, emerging sciences and operational excellence at Walmart. He also held leadership roles at Walt Disney Company, Anheuser Busch and PepsiCo.   

While Singles’ Day has morphed into the world’s biggest shopping extravaganza, the event’s allure may be losing some luster.