distribution – OM in the News

Amazon Achieves Its Fastest Delivery Times

Amazon has reported its fastest ever time for Prime deliveries in the second quarter of 2023.

For the 60 largest metro areas, over half of Prime deliveries were same day or next day. Amazon continues to invest in its same-day delivery service–promising to double its same-day delivery facilities in the coming years.

This strategy has allowed the company to gain a 1/3 share of online orders in the U.S, six times that of its closest competitor, Walmart. Amazon also delivered more than […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2023-09-06T07:32:48+00:00September 6, 2023|Tags: artificial intelligence, distribution, inventory management, logistics, same day delivery, strategy, supply chain|

Levi Strauss Embraces Growth in Direct-to-Consumer Market

Levi Strauss has opened a new e-commerce fulfillment center in northern Kentucky as the company looks to drive higher revenue and profit growth in its direct-to-consumer and e-commerce business.

The new e-commerce facility, which began operations in July 2023, is located in Erlanger, in the Greater Northern Kentucky metropolitan area, and is positioned to service east coast customers.

Levi Strauss also has an omnichannel fulfillment facility in Nevada, which services west coast e-commerce, wholesale, and retail customers.

The company struggled to fulfill orders […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2023-08-13T08:01:16+00:00August 16, 2023|Tags: distribution, ecommerce, efficiency, fulfillment, logistics, omnichannel, warehouse|

Unstable Consumer Confidence Causing Ripple Effects

An uncertain economy is causing ripple effects across manufacturing as consumer demand continues to be difficult to predict.

Many manufacturers are focusing on 5S-type activities (cleaning, preventive management, painting factory floors, etc.) in lieu of robust customer orders. The Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) Purchasing Managers’ Index came in at 46.9% in May 2023, the second consecutive month below 50%.

When the index is below 50%, it indicates an industry in economic contraction. Per Investopedia, the Purchasing Managers’ […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2023-07-07T02:25:15+00:00July 6, 2023|Tags: distribution, downstream suppliers, efficiency, logistics, operations, supply chain, upstream suppliers, utilization|

Target Sortation Centers To Double In Capacity

Target is making a $100 million investment in its “sortation centers.”

By the end of January of 2026, the retailer aims to increase the number of these delivery hubs from nine to fifteen, approximately doubling the number of packages handled, and speeding up delivery times.

Video Spotlight: