Shipping & Fulfillment - Practical Ecommerce https://www.practicalecommerce.com/category/management/shipping-fulfillment Independent analysis and strategy for online merchants Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:14:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.4 Fulfillment Compared: Amazon, Walmart, Shopify https://www.practicalecommerce.com/fulfillment-compared-amazon-walmart-shopify Wed, 27 Aug 2025 09:36:45 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1555920 Ecommerce operators tired of picking, packing, and posting parcels can turn to massive marketplaces and the leading ecommerce platform for help.

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]]> The No-Surprise 3PL Pricing Model https://www.practicalecommerce.com/the-no-surprise-3pl-pricing-model Fri, 01 Aug 2025 12:43:43 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1555142 John Melizanis's 3PL, ShipDudes, avoids per-item fees, believing they lead to unexpected, surprise charges.

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]]> USPS Rate Change Analysis July 2025 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/usps-rate-change-analysis-july-2025 Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:32:07 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1554766 The USPS's shipping rates are often the most cost-effective. The agency is essential to U.S. ecommerce.

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]]> Charts: Global Ecommerce Trends Q1 2025 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/charts-global-ecommerce-trends Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:15:27 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1553679 DHL's "2025 E-Commerce Trends Report" is a doozy at 78 pages, summarizing its global survey of 24,000 consumers.

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]]> Teamsters Target Amazon Delivery Drivers https://www.practicalecommerce.com/teamsters-target-amazon-delivery-drivers Mon, 28 Oct 2024 11:37:48 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1544210 Does Amazon control the drivers that work for its Delivery Service Partners? That's the question central to a dispute.

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]]> Lessons from Changing 3PLs https://www.practicalecommerce.com/lessons-from-changing-3pls Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:07:57 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1543474 Amid slower sales, Beardbrand needed a less costly fulfillment provider. The first choice was a mistake.

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]]> Update on Drone Deliveries in 2024 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/update-on-drone-deliveries-in-2024 Tue, 06 Aug 2024 13:29:54 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1540830 Ecommerce drone deliveries are a reality, with new FAA approvals and partnerships among retailers and drone operators.

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]]> Robots Are Coming to Ecommerce SMBs https://www.practicalecommerce.com/robots-are-coming-to-ecommerce-smbs Mon, 13 May 2024 09:00:16 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1536961 The warehouse automation industry remains focused on massive companies, but efforts toward smaller companies could offer growing brands more fulfillment options.

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]]> Can Retailer Co-ops Cut Ecommerce Shipping Costs? https://www.practicalecommerce.com/can-retailer-co-ops-cut-ecommerce-shipping-costs Tue, 23 Apr 2024 09:00:35 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1535857 Retailers have used purchasing cooperatives for years to obtain volume pricing.

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]]> Charts: Shipping Priorities of Online Consumers https://www.practicalecommerce.com/charts-shipping-priorities-of-online-consumers Wed, 27 Dec 2023 14:29:40 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1531608 Two separate surveys of U.S. ecommerce shoppers report similar findings: free shipping is a priority.

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]]> Ecommerce Returns Becoming Easier, Cheaper https://www.practicalecommerce.com/ecommerce-returns-becoming-easier-cheaper Sun, 22 Oct 2023 13:12:14 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1528131 Providers such as Happy Returns, Pollen, and even Uber are streamlining the returns process.

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]]> Ecommerce Drone Delivery Is Coming https://www.practicalecommerce.com/ecommerce-drone-delivery-is-coming Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:25:54 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1526924 Recent advances include approvals by the U.S. FAA for deliveries beyond visual line of sight. Early adopters include Walmart, Amazon, other retailers.

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]]> Pondering the Cost of Ecommerce Returns https://www.practicalecommerce.com/pondering-the-cost-of-ecommerce-returns Mon, 14 Aug 2023 09:30:51 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1525460 Returns of purchased ecommerce goods are on the rise. Are tighter return policies the answer?

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]]> Fulfill.com Is a Marketplace of 3PLs https://www.practicalecommerce.com/fulfill-com-is-a-marketplace-of-3pls Fri, 05 May 2023 13:01:08 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1521156 In 2019 Joe Spisak's ecommerce company had gone through three fulfillment companies in 18 months.
With Fulfill.com, he aims to ease the difficulty of selecting providers.

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]]> How to Reduce Parcel DIM Weights https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-reduce-parcel-dim-weights Wed, 26 Apr 2023 10:53:30 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1520880 Dimensional weight is a pricing method used by shipping carriers. It's a way to charge for the space your package takes up in their trucks and planes regardless of its actual weight.

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]]> Tips for Sustainable Last-mile Deliveries https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tips-for-sustainable-last-mile-deliveries Tue, 03 Jan 2023 13:40:57 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1515933 The "last mile" of ecommerce delivery typically produces the most emissions per package. Here are five ways merchants can help.

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]]> 5 Steps to Sustainable Shipping https://www.practicalecommerce.com/5-steps-to-sustainable-shipping Sun, 20 Nov 2022 12:00:12 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1514517 The rise of ecommerce and the corresponding growth of delivery vehicles results in much more carbon emissions. Here are five tips for implementing sustainable practices.

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]]> Reducing the Environmental Impact of Ecommerce https://www.practicalecommerce.com/reducing-the-environmental-impact-of-ecommerce Tue, 11 Oct 2022 19:29:14 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1512063 Ecommerce packaging and logistics cause serious environmental harm. But the industry is improving, with many tools, services, and programs to help merchants. Here's an overview.

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]]> 5 Ways to Upgrade to Eco-friendly Ecommerce https://www.practicalecommerce.com/5-ways-to-upgrade-to-eco-friendly-ecommerce Tue, 27 Sep 2022 11:45:32 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1511201 In 2022, sustainable selling is not just good for the environment. It also drives sales. Here are five steps to go green.

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]]> 3 Ways to Offset Shipping Rate Increases https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-offset-shipping-rate-increases Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:17:14 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1507914 The U.S. Postal Service has announced a temporary increase in holiday shipping rates. Such increases from all carriers are inevitable. Merchants should adopt a shipping strategy to manage costs over the long term.

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]]> How to Price Shipping and Handling Fees https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-price-shipping-and-handling-fees Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:50:24 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1506731 Today's consumers expect free shipping for most items. But it's not always obvious for merchants to know when and how to offer it. Here's our all-new update for analyzing shipping costs and free delivery.

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]]> How to Offer Free Shipping without Going Broke https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-offer-free-shipping-without-going-broke Mon, 11 Jul 2022 11:36:42 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1506376 Online consumers expect free shipping. But small and mid-size merchants sometimes struggle with the cost. Here are innovative approaches to meet shopper expectations without losing money.

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]]> 7 Reasons to Consider USPS Flat Rate Shipping https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-reasons-to-consider-usps-flat-rate-shipping Wed, 22 Jun 2022 12:37:07 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1505411 Merchants in North America have many carrier choices for delivering goods to customers. The U.S. Postal Service's flat-rate shipping boxes can save money in certain instances. We compare prices in this post.

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]]> Shopify Buys Logistics Company Deliverr https://www.practicalecommerce.com/shopify-buys-logistics-company-deliverr Mon, 16 May 2022 14:00:59 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1503307 Shopify's acquisition of fulfillment company Deliverr will help it compete with Amazon and will otherwise jumpstart stalled growth.

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]]> Daily Drone Deliveries Surpass 2,000 Globally https://www.practicalecommerce.com/daily-drone-deliveries-surpass-2000-globally Tue, 19 Apr 2022 19:17:19 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1502337 Drone deliveries have taken off. Here is a list of companies leading the advancement, from drone technology and logistics companies to retail brands.

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]]> Charts: Global Parcel Shipping Volume, Transit Times https://www.practicalecommerce.com/charts-global-parcel-shipping-volume-transit-times Wed, 09 Mar 2022 11:15:41 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1500672 Parcel shipping volume worldwide will grow dramatically. Statista estimates the volume to double by 2026. We chart that growth, transit times, and more in this piece.

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]]> Materials behind Sustainable Mailers, Boxes https://www.practicalecommerce.com/materials-behind-sustainable-mailers-boxes Tue, 08 Feb 2022 20:28:22 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1499382 Consumers increasingly seek merchants who use sustainable packing and shipping materials. But recyclable or biodegradable products are not equally helpful. We explain.

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]]> Returns Take a Toll on Online Retailers https://www.practicalecommerce.com/returns-take-a-toll-on-online-retailers Mon, 31 Jan 2022 13:54:07 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1498988 Many merchants that have softened return policies during the pandemic are starting to feel the financial pain. Some have pulled back entirely.

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]]> Take a Side in the Future of the USPS https://www.practicalecommerce.com/take-a-side-in-the-future-of-the-usps Mon, 20 Dec 2021 11:00:05 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1399382 In the last 15 years, the United States Postal Service has lost around $90 billion. It has often failed to meet delivery expectations. And yet, the USPS is vital for many ecommerce companies. By law, the USPS must deliver to every address in the United States six days per week. This makes the USPS a common and often good choice for last-mile delivery specifically and ecommerce generally.

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]]> Charts: Shipping Backlogs; Container Prices https://www.practicalecommerce.com/charts-shipping-backlogs-container-prices Tue, 14 Dec 2021 20:25:12 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=1388332 Increased demand for consumer goods, Covid-induced disruptions in container ship schedules, and a labor shortage at ports have produced longer wait times and supply-chain disruptions.

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