NRF: Imports Expected To Slow At The Start Of 2020
Imports at the nation’s major cargo ports are expected to see one more boost in November before falling off in December and into the New Year, according to the National Retail Federation.
shipping
Amazon Emphasizes Free Delivery Options For The Holidays
As it looks forward to the holidays, Amazon is touting its expanded free delivery options, providing Prime members across the United States access to more than 10 million items available for next-day drop-off.
International Shipping Rules Changed In Favor Of U.S.
The Universal Postal Union, in an Extraordinary Congress, has given the United States the go-ahead to raise postal shipping rates on packages under 4.4 pounds, and end a break that gave international firms a big advantage over domestic companies in moving small-item packages.
Goods Shipped From China Before May 10 Exempt From Tariff Increase
Following the recent imposition of 25% tariffs on $200 billion worth of products made in China, questions are being raised by some in the housewares industry as to the exact timing of when the surcharge was officially in place.
NRF: Imports Could Rise As Higher Tariffs Loom
With President Trump saying he plans to both increase and broaden tariffs on goods from China, imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to see unusually high levels the remainder of this spring and through the summer, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
NRF: More Online Shoppers Expect Free Delivery
Consumers buying products online expect retailers to offer free delivery, but are also embracing new options such as store pickup, according to a recent survey from the National Retail Federation.
Lamps Plus Speeds Holiday Delivery
In time for the holidays, Lamps Plus announced that it is launching same-day shipping on thousands of products at no additional cost.
Report: Trump Acting On Postal Treaty That Hits U.S. Businesses
President Donald Trump will initiate a withdrawal from a treaty that observers and businesses, including housewares industry participants, insist gives Chinese manufacturers an unfair advantage in shipping goods weighing 4.4 pounds or less to addresses in the United States.
Meijer Wins Double SmartWay Award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has named Meijer as a SmartWay Excellence Award winner in two categories, as a shipper and a carrier.
Presidential Memo Calls For Postal Shipping Fairness
As was detailed in the March 5 issue of HomeWorld Business, small-parcel delivery from the U.S. Postal Service, in compliance with rules set by the Universal Postal Union, can weigh heavily in the favor of overseas shippers versus those in the U.S., and now more is being done to correct that inequity.
Kroger Launches Ship E-Commerce Platform
Kroger has launched Kroger Ship, a new direct-to-customer e-commerce platform.
IHA Asks Member Support For Postal Fairness Bill
The International Housewares Association is urging its members to contact their congressional representatives and ask them to support H.R. 5524, the Packages Overseas Subsidy Termination or POST Act, which is under consideration in the United States House of Representatives.
Radial: Fulfillment Improvement Critical To E-Commerce Success
Omnichannel consultant and services provider Radial has conducted a study, “The Everyday Essentials of Successful E-commerce Fulfillment,” which highlights some dissatisfaction with delivery services.
Ikea Launches Loyalty Credit Card, New Services
Ikea U.S. has introduced a new credit card program with a loyalty component and is expanding other e-commerce services for consumers.
The Amazon Effect On Shipping Products
If there are two topics of discussion many in the housewares segment are tired of talking about, Amazon and Millennials may top the list for most.
Rep. Marchant Calls For Fair Small Package Shipping Rates
In an effort to establish fairer small package shipping rates, Congressman Kenny Marchant, a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, introduced House Resolution 5524, as reported April 17 by HomeWorld Business, a bill intended to end the U.S. Postal Service practice of subsidizing inbound international shipments of parcels weighing less than two kilograms, or 4.4 pounds.
Target Expands Shipt To Select Northwest Cities
Target is expanding its Shipt same-day delivery program to select metropolitan areas in the Northwest. More than 55,000 products in several categories including home and groceries are included in the Shipt program.
U.S. Housewares Fights China’s Consumer-Direct Postal Rate Advantage
Hard as it is to believe, a factory in China can ship a small package containing a housewares item using the United States Postal Service to a U.S. consumer at a significant discount to the rate charged that an American business shipping domestically pays— and that has some people up in arms.
Deloitte: Consumers Demand Free Delivery For Online Orders
Consumers are insisting that retailers provide them with free delivery in the gift buying season, according to Deloitte’s 32nd annual holiday survey of consumer spending intentions and trends.
Walmart Battles Amazon With Free Two-Day Delivery
Walmart is stepping up its battle with Amazon.com as the bricks and clicks retailer struggles to wrest online sales from the e-commerce leader, adding a free-shipping feature to its online operation.