The e-commerce equation

Against the odds: Wayfair art thou, Romeo?

Online retailer Wayfair (W) from Boston’s Back Bay, ’the Amazon of all things furniture’ went public in 2014 attracting a valuation of $3bn. Attacking the $840bn home goods market, destined to grow to some $1.2trn by 2030, according to the company’s projections…
… co-founders Niraj Shah (CEO) and Steve Conine (both pictured below) have focused on gaining market share ever since 2002, when it was founded.
Now worth $15.6bn with its stock bouncing …

The post Against the odds: Wayfair art thou,...

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US consumer demand for services not goods will keep freight rates high

Consumers in the United States, and the country’s low retail inventories, could keep freight rates elevated, even post-pandemic.
According to Alan Murphy, CEO & partner at Sea-Intelligence, a resurgence of consumer spending on services in favour of physical goods, won’t necessarily put a dent in the record freight levels seen during the Covid-crisis.
He said, during today’s TOC Asia webinar: “When US consumers can move their spending back to services, they’ll take …

The post US consumer demand...

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A wave of SE Asia e-commerce traffic is moving towards the sea

Ocean freight is set to play a bigger role in south-east Asia’s booming cross-border e-commerce market.
According to regional e-commerce logistics specialist J&T Express, the Covid-crisis has accelerated online spending across the region, with the market on track to reach $153bn in sales by 2025.
This was the prediction before the pandemic hit and, furthermore, with the range of goods bought online widening, J&T predicts more volumes shifting to sea freight.
Andrew Sim, …

The post A wave of SE...

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Cainiao launches open tender for 2021 logistics services – but be quick

Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, the logistics arm of Chinese-e-commerce platform Alibaba, today launched an open tender for logistics services for next year.
It is calling on logistics providers in key markets including North Asia, South-east Asia, Europe, the Middle East, ANZ and the US.
However, those interested in bidding for the company’s business have just five days, as the deadline for submissions is 15 December.
The tender is segmented into B2C and B2B …

The post Cainiao launches open...

https://theloadstar.com/cainiao-launches-open-tender-for-2021-logistics-services-but-be-quick/

Disruption and price rise alert to shippers as the peak season looms

Shippers – particularly those in e-commerce – have been advised to begin planning for potential supply chain disruption and rising prices as the peak season looms.
Speaking on Reuters webinar yesterday, on the upcoming peak season, Canada Post chief operating officer Charles Brewer warned that supply chains had undergone a transformation due to Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns which had had a  huge impact on retail supply chains – most notably …

The post Disruption and price rise alert to...

https://theloadstar.com/disruption-and-price-rise-alert-to-shippers-as-the-peak-season-looms/

Zim targets e-commerce traffic with launch of transpacific express service

Israeli shipping line Zim has become the latest carrier to offer an express transpacific service, yesterday announcing the launch of its Zim eCommerce Xpress (ZEX) string on 22 June.
The service will connect the Pearl River Delta ports of Yantian and DaChan Bay with Los Angeles, and offer a transit time of 12 days.
The service is particularly targeting e-commerce cargo shippers, “especially now due to the growing e-commerce demand following the …

The post Zim targets e-commerce traffic with...

https://theloadstar.com/zim-targets-e-commerce-traffic-with-launch-of-transpacific-express-service/

UPS sees B2B plummet in Q1, but B2C volumes keeps the trucks rolling

Despite the near implosion of its B2B traffic in March, UPS suffered only mild damage from the pandemic on its balance sheet for the first quarter.
Net income sank from $1.11bn in the first quarter last year to $965m, which sent diluted earnings per share down to $1.11 from $1.28 last year.
“I think they did fairly well, considering the situation. There weren’t really any surprises,” said Cathy Morrow Roberson, founder and …

The post UPS sees B2B plummet in Q1, but B2C volumes keeps the trucks...

https://theloadstar.com/ups-sees-b2b-plummet-in-q1-but-b2c-volumes-keeps-the-trucks-rolling/

Market Insight Q&A: Steve Walker – ‘Can we trust carriers’ blockchain promises?’

I have had the pleasure of talking to veteran freight forwarder Steve Walker (pictured above), trying to catch up from where we left it last summer on the hot topic of data treatment, ownership and disclosure for the main supply chain players, with a particular focus on the conflict between the air and ocean freight forwarders and the carriers.
Some six months on, here is an excerpt of a few key …

The post Market Insight Q&A: Steve Walker – ‘Can we trust carriers’ blockchain promises?’ appeared...

https://theloadstar.com/market-insight-qa-steve-walker-can-we-trust-carriers-blockchain-promises/

Restructure delivers the goods: Deutsche Post-DHL reports Q1 results

Deutsche Post-DHL today reported a 28.1% year-on-year increase in group ebit for the first quarter.
In a busy three months it completed the sale of its contract logistics business in China to SF Holding and reorganised its postal and e-commerce divisions.
Its freight forwarding unit, which has come under the microscope in recent years, also posted significant gains, with revenue growing 4.8% to reach €3.8bn and ebit up 42.9% year on year …

The post Restructure delivers the goods: Deutsche...

https://theloadstar.com/restructure-delivers-the-goods-deutsche-post-dhl-reports-q1-results/

Market Insight: Q&A with Eric Pilling: “Welcome to the forwarding jungle” – how to adapt, survive and thrive

After an epic tour of duty spanning nearly two decades, working for the industry’s largest players in head office locations around the globe, Eric Pilling (pictured above) has returned to Down Under.
An industry veteran with deep and unmatched commercial insight, here is his story.
The important stuff first: So, pardon me, but what is it about New Zealand and sheep?
“Fascinating question. According to Beef and Lamb NZ – a peak industry …

The post Market Insight: Q&A with Eric Pilling: “Welcome...

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