Unboxing Logistics

From dabbling in ecommerce as a teen to running a 3PL today, Krushna Patel, CEO at Awesome Solutions, has spent years building businesses—and he’s learned a lot about what sets the successful ones apart.In this Unboxing Logistics episode, he sits down with Lori Boyer to discuss how he discovered the world of fulfillment, his advice for those hoping to follow the same path, and what a thriving 3PL looks like behind the scenes.The secret to successful entrepreneurshipKrushna’s advice to prospective founders comes in two parts: start small, and think long-term.He explains, “There are ways to do everything at a smaller scale to test it out, get proof of concept. I think people spend too much time trying to get their version one to become the best final product ever. It's not going to be that way.”When making business goals, Krushna recommends looking to the future. “I'm setting a five-year horizon of what I want the company to look like, and then I'll shrink it down into a three-year, into a one-year, and then … monthly.”Why communication is criticalWhen asked what every 3PL should be doing from day one, Krushna answers without hesitation: “I would focus very much on communication.”He goes on to say that with so many 3PLs competing for clients, great communication is a huge differentiator. “The ones that show [they’re] reliable, [they’re] with you when you scale, that makes a huge difference. Because nobody wants to have an issue and then talk to an AI agent.”While Krushna acknowledges that simple requests can be automated with AI, he strongly believes that shippers should always have access to a human to discuss more complex issues.Clients want shipping flexibilityWhen it comes to shipping, Krushna emphasizes that flexibility is a must. 3PLs work with a wide range of clients—and each of them wants specific services. To cater to each shipper’s needs, 3PLs should offer a carrier portfolio with plenty of options.In Krushna’s words, “You want to have your net cast wide enough [to] have those different service levels for each client's requirements.”LinksConnect with Krushna on LinkedInVisit Awesome Solutions’ website

Kevin Gibbon, CEO and co-founder at Cytronic, has built a 3PL that makes DTC ecommerce fulfillment faster, cheaper, and better. The secret? Automation.In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, Kevin joins Lori Boyer to share Cytronic’s story and discuss why automation is such a game changer in the warehousing world.Where manual warehouses are losing time (and money)If you’re thinking of upgrading your warehouse (or partnering with a tech-oriented 3PL), Kevin recommends focusing on the two most time-consuming tasks: picking and packing.He explains, “Picking from the bins, getting [items] to a pick cart [and then] to the actual packing station, that takes by far the most time. And then it would be the actual packaging to get it into some sort of assembly line or into different carrier bins. [Automating] those will be your biggest time saver.”What does an automated warehouse look like?When asked about warehouse automation technology, Kevin describes one of the highest-impact robotics systems at Cytronic: the ASRS, or automated storage and retrieval system.With the ASRS, he says, “You could get a SKU every seven seconds. Just unheard of.”Kevin also notes that automation goes beyond robots. It involves every process, even the ones that humans have a hand in.“We speed up everything possible … within the warehouse. And so it's not just robotics, but it's a streamlined process throughout.”Does automated mean human-free?According to Kevin, “There’s no such thing as fully autonomous anything.”While some warehouse processes are totally automatic, others still need human supervision. Thankfully, technology and human workers actually complement each other.For example, Cytronic “still [has] people on the floor. … But our goal is to just make it a lot easier for them. So it's going to be a more lightweight kind of warehousing job [with more] opportunities to grow within the company and run these things.”LinksConnect with Kevin on LinkedInVisit Cytronic’s website

Supply chain experts agree: businesses shouldn’t just throw AI at every problem that comes their way. But as Dana Moffat, product manager at Acumatica, points out in this week’s Unboxing Logistics episode, you can’t afford to ignore AI either. She explains that the success of AI strategies comes down to how well you identify problems, select technology, define KPIs, and measure results.How to create an AI strategy that worksAccording to Dana, the foundation for a successful AI implementation is understanding what you want to achieve and how you’ll measure the results. She says, “You have to have clear objectives and goals. … You need to know … what you want to accomplish and why.”She shares a few questions to guide you through this initial planning stage: Why do we think AI is the answer to this particular problem or challenge? How will we know that AI has helped us transform or achieve our objectives? How do we measure success or failure? Setting your AI up for successBefore introducing AI tools, it’s important to ensure your operating procedures are clearly defined. That’s because AI learns from patterns. And “if your procedures or workflows [are] constantly changing, or your processes vary by team or customer … it's hard for AI to learn … because you don't have patterns.”In addition to unpredictable processes, Dana shares another common pitfall when implementing an AI solution: inaccurate data.“AI can inherit bias from historical data, and [that] can reinforce bad patterns. … As much as possible, clean up your data before you start leveraging that AI.”Does AI replace human workers?Many people fear that AI will replace human workers, taking jobs and ruining livelihoods. But Lori and Dana have a far more optimistic perspective—they strongly believe that real people are still necessary in the logistics space.In Dana’s words, “There's still a very strong need for domain expertise, especially in shipping and enterprise resource planning. We have domain experts in these different functional areas, and they're very important, so AI cannot replace them.”LinksConnect with Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-moffat-94850a10/ Visit Acumatica’s website: https://www.acumatica.com/

In this Unboxing Logistics episode, Lori sits down with Chris Caplice, executive director at MIT Center for Transportation Logistics and chief scientist at DAT Freight and Analytics, to discuss the state of freight in 2026. The state of freight shipping in 2026Chris begins by laying out the two big forces shaping the freight market—supply and demand—and noting, “Because supply and demand are constantly shifting in this very volatile market, you're going to see prices going up and prices going down on a regular-ish basis.”He explains that while demand is holding fairly steady, the same can’t be said for supply. “A lot of the regulations that have come recently … [are ] increasing the cost of being a carrier. … It's increasing the barrier of entry, so it's constricting the supply of carriers.”The result? “We are going to see a tightening of the market throughout 2026.”Spot vs. contract pricingAccording to Chris, one of the biggest mistakes shippers make is using contract rates for every lane. Simply put, “It just doesn't make sense for certain lanes that are sporadic, low volume, things like that.”He warns that often, financial leaders prefer the perceived security of contracts, but contracting for everything actually “creates more problems than it fixes.”Fortunately, there’s a simple rule of thumb to know whether you’re balancing spot and contract pricing correctly. Chris says, “Thirty percent of your lanes will [probably] handle [about] 80% of your volume. But … 70% [of your lanes] will handle [about] 20%. So those ones, you don't want to put contract rates on.”In other words, “The vast majority of your volume will go under contract. The vast majority of your lanes will probably be spot.”Balancing cost and reliability in a tight marketChris acknowledges that saving money is a huge consideration when it comes to shipping. But he cautions logistics leaders to consider other factors, such as carrier availability and reliability. “There's so much excess capacity out there. It's tighter now. So little things can have big ripple effects. So I think the big concern now is not saving every dime. It's more about, okay, will my carriers be there when the market gets tighter, or if my demand shifts, or if the fuel price increases?”LinksConnect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-caplice-1839/ Visit the DAT Freight and Analytics website: https://www.dat.com/ Visit the MIT Center for Transportation Logistics website: https://ctl.mit.edu/

Carrier changes are picking up speed—and starting to impact both costs and service expectations across the industry. In this episode, Tim Ranagan and Lori Boyer from EasyPost break down recent updates from USPS, FedEx, and Amazon. Their conversation focuses on rising surcharges, faster delivery options, and the growing role of Amazon Shipping. USPS introduces fuel surchargesUSPS is introducing its first-ever fuel surcharge, signaling a shift in how the carrier handles cost volatility. Lori explains that while the change is framed as temporary, it reflects broader pressure across the industry as fuel prices and geopolitical factors continue to fluctuate. She says, “I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more surcharges. … We're at the point where [carriers are] really struggling with costs. So we are seeing more of those costs being carried over to shippers in general.”FedEx offers two-hour deliveryFedEx’s new same-day service with two-hour delivery windows shows how major carriers are pushing toward faster fulfillment. These options are exciting, but they’re also expensive, and Lori reassures smaller businesses that they don’t necessarily need to offer customers same-day services. While buyers care a lot about reliability, she notes, they’re “not necessarily pushing speed as much as we sometimes think.”Amazon Shipping gains ground as a carrierAmazon is continuing to invest heavily in its logistics network, including a $4 billion push to expand rural delivery and reach more underserved areas. At the same time, Amazon Shipping is gaining traction as a carrier option within multi-carrier strategies. Lori explains that many businesses are testing it and seeing strong results, adding that “the data shows that Amazon Shipping is becoming a really big player in the carrier industry.” With tools like Luma AI that compare carrier performance across cost, speed, and reliability, more shippers are shifting volume based on what actually performs best.LinksConnect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/ Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ranagan-mba-2717bb125/ Visit EasyPost’s website: https://www.easypost.com/

In this episode, Tyler Diestel, senior product manager at EasyPost, joins Lori to discuss EasyPost’s latest shipping AI tool: Luma AI Advisor. Tyler explains what Luma AI Advisor is, how it works, and the impact it can make for SMB and enterprise shippers alike.What is Luma AI Advisor?Luma AI Advisor is an LLM, or large language model. Like tools such as ChatGPT or Claude, Luma AI can process natural-language questions and generate human-like responses. But unlike generic chatbots, Luma AI was built for one purpose: to streamline parcel shipping.Tyler says, “We have this amazing product suite called Luma AI. It … gives our shippers insights into a treasure trove of data. The problem is that a lot of times we provide too much data, and it overwhelms our shippers. … So with Luma AI Advisor, instead of having to sift through the various dashboards, [users] can just chat with this nice little chatbot to find their answers directly.” He also explains why it’s much more effective than ChatGPT or Claude: “Those are answering high-level questions. This LLM has all your shipping data, so it knows exactly what you have done and what you can do to reach your goals.”What data is Luma AI Advisor trained on?According to Tyler, Luma AI is trained on data from two sources: your own shipping operations and EasyPost’s billions of historic shipments. This makes it incredibly accurate when it comes to finding cost- and time-saving opportunities.“This LLM is trained on your data, but it also takes advantage of our AI models that produce our time-in-transit predictions. … By using our AI-generated predictions, you are leveraging the billions of shipments that we've seen.”What can Luma AI Advisor help with?Tyler shares a few examples of questions that Luma AI can answer:How much do I actually save by adding Amazon to my carrier mix?What carrier has the highest on-time percentage?What carrier do I spend the most on?He’s also excited for future updates, which will allow Luma to help with even more shipping tasks, such as explaining how to enable a new carrier or recommending the best carrier for shipping HAZMAT.LinksConnect with Tyler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdiestel/ Learn more about Luma AI: https://www.easypost.com/products/luma-ai/

Just a few weeks ago, the tense situation in the Middle East reached a boiling point when the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran. Now, as the effects of the conflict ripple across the world, everyone has the same question: How will this affect global trade?Sal Mercogliano, maritime shipping expert and host of the YouTube channel What’s Going On With Shipping?, joins Lori to help answer that question. Sal shares a nuanced analysis of how the crisis has already affected shipping and what will happen going forward. How has the conflict in the Middle East affected shipping?To understand why the war in Iran will have such a major impact on shipping, you first need to understand choke points. Sal describes them as “narrow little areas where [ocean] traffic funnels together.” And one of the biggest choke points in the world is the Strait of Hormuz, where the Persian Gulf meets the Indian Ocean. Sal explains, “Since the United States and Israel struck Iran … shipping has stopped going through.” And unfortunately, “There's no shortcut here. There's no … ‘Let's go around the Persian Gulf.’ You can't. You've got to go through the strait.”This bottleneck will result in higher costs to businesses and consumers across the world.What will happen if the conflict continues?While much of our oil comes from the Middle East, there are other sources. According to Sal, we’ll probably begin relying more heavily on places like the United States, Nigeria, and Venezuela for oil.But that solution comes with its own challenges.Sal explains, “You have to take natural gas and liquefy it, which means you put it into a ship by cooling it. … There's only a finite number of those ships. You have to go further distances, and there's a set amount you can ship because there's finite [resources] available.”What will happen when the conflict ends?Even when the conflict ends, Sal expects that shipping will be disrupted. He compares it to driving down the highway: “All of a sudden, traffic comes to a stop for some reason … because there was an accident there an hour ago and it just hasn't cleared up yet. For almost every day of an incident, it takes three to four to clear it out.”While we’re waiting for things to stabilize, Sal recommends that businesses stay informed about global events and look for ways to incorporate more flexibility into their shipping operations.LinksConnect with Sal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatore-mercogliano-ph-d-what-s-going-on-with-shipping-95437729/ Check out What’s Going On With Shipping? on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wgowshipping

From surcharge increases to carriers unexpectedly closing their doors, the world of parcel shipping is constantly changing. And according to Nate Skiver, founder of LPF Spend Management, that trend will continue through 2026.In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, he shares tips for adapting to disruptions, managing risk, choosing the right carriers, and keeping costs low.The state of parcel shipping in 2026When it comes to carriers, Nate says, “There are more options [than ever], which is a good thing, but it introduces complexity.”Fortunately, technology can help simplify things. Nate continues, “There is technology available to manage that complexity, allow[ing] shippers to introduce new carriers, optimize for cost, delivery, reliability, and speed.”Bottom line? “There's never been a better time, I think, for shippers to create value through delivery.”Are alternative carriers worth it?Alternative carriers offer low costs and fast delivery times. But shippers sometimes hesitate to use them, citing concerns with reliability. So, how can you know whether an alternative carrier will fulfill its promises?According to Nate, it all comes down to research and risk management.“There are alternative carriers that will exit the market this year. … So it's a legitimate concern.”He recommends, “Do your due diligence. Learn as much as you can about the company, their customers, all that you can. But don't take on too much risk.”Staying on top of carrier pricing changesWhen carriers increase prices, they don’t broadcast it to the world. For example, Nate shares that two major carriers recently raised surcharges for additional handling and oversized packages—and the increases slipped under many people’s radars.He says, “It gets announced. It's very subtly posted on [their] websites. Often … the sales contacts for those carriers don't proactively come out and tell customers. So you have to go find it.”To make sure pricing changes don’t catch you off guard, Nate recommends either having an in-house employee dedicated to staying on top of the parcel market or partnering with a third-party consultant.LinksConnect with Nate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levelplayingfield/Visit LPF Spend Management’s website: https://www.lpfspendmanagement.com/

John Naylor from Trew and Scott Davis from JD Finish Line teamed up to transform a distribution center from mostly manual to automated and efficient—while the center was still operational!In a recent session at RILA, they shared the details of the project with Lori Boyer, discussing everything from the initial planning stages to the final results and ROI.If you weren’t able to make it to the session, no worries. We’ve turned the recording into a special episode of Unboxing Logistics. Listen to learn how John and Scott got leadership buy-in, helped employees adopt the new technology, and dealt with unexpected roadblocks.Choosing technology with the future in mindThroughout the session, a common thread was the need for careful planning. When choosing technology, John and Scott considered two things: whether it would be worth the investment, and how it would hold up to future business growth.John says, “It really becomes a fairly simple black-and-white math exercise. It's an ROI. Do we invest the money? What is the payback on that?”He continues, “Are we future proof? Have we painted ourselves into a corner? If our business needs change, or … acquisitions happen, will this be able to accommodate that change?”Planning for the unexpectedAn important part of planning is the assumption that things will go wrong at some point. Scott stresses that budgets need to leave room for these unexpected setbacks: “Contingencies are huge. Do you want to go back in a year and ask for more, or would you rather fight the battle upfront so that you can stay within your budgets?”John chimes in, “Anybody who tells you these projects go flawlessly and on plan is lying to you. … No battle plan survives the first volley.”Taking a people-focused approachAutomation projects often come under fire for eliminating human jobs. But for John and Scott, laying off employees was never the goal.John explains that they forecasted employment needs and made sure not to overhire. The result? “We didn't [need] to lay off people later when [a] job function was eliminated. …So it was a very … people-focused approach.”As Scott puts it, the automation project was all about “[doing] more with the same people, not reduc[ing] the people.”LinksConnect with Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-davis-03315652/Follow JD Finish Line on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jd-finish-line/Visit Trew’s website: https://www.trewautomation.com/

In February’s episode of Unboxing Logistics, Tim Ranagan sits down with Lori Boyer to discuss what she’s hearing from industry leaders at events like RILA and Manifest. Their conversation focuses on how ecommerce teams are building with disruption in mind.Disruption is the baseline in 2026This year, supply chain leaders are learning to expect the unexpected.Lori explains that disruption no longer feels temporary. Instead, “It’s the baseline.” So rather than waiting for conditions to stabilize, organizations are designing operations around uncertainty.She points to data from the 2026 Thomson Reuters Global Trade Report showing that supply chain management has become the number one business concern for enterprise organizations, nearly doubling since last year’s report.From AI hype to measurable ROIAI was a hot topic at RILA and Manifest last year, and that pattern continued in 2026. But the tone has shifted; earlier excitement around flashy demos has given way to a more practical mindset.As Lori puts it, “AI is only of interest to people when it can show tangible, real-life returns.”As she spoke with logistics professionals at the events, she noticed that teams that are considering AI solutions are asking tougher questions about cost savings, decision support, and measurable outcomes.Resilience starts with the basicsAnother recurring theme in Lori’s conversations was frustration with overloaded tech stacks—solutions that don’t work together, don’t solve the right problems, and ultimately create “tech stack fatigue.”Her advice is straightforward: “Get your basics down.”She continues, “You have to start with the problem… then find a tool. Don’t get a tool of any sort and just try to fit it into your company.”LinksConnect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ranagan-mba-2717bb125/Connect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/Visit EasyPost’s website :https://www.easypost.com/

In this episode, Joe Dieter joins Lori Boyer to explore the complexities of enterprise-level shipping and show how EasyPost Enterprise can help.What’s an enterprise-level shipper?Joe explains a common misconception: “When people think of enterprise shipping, they assume [it refers to] someone doing lots of volume. … But the reality is, volume is just one component. [What matters more] is enterprise-grade complexity.”Enterprise-grade complexity can look different for every business, but Joe shares some common examples of the challenges EasyPost’s enterprise shippers face:Time to label is too slowAdding new carriers is difficult and time-consumingSupport costs are piling upShipping software can’t keep up with growthVarious systems don’t integrate smoothlyYou’re seeing too many exceptionsHow EasyPost Enterprise helpsEasyPost Enterprise is a “high-performance shipping engine” designed to address the complexities described above.Its features include business rules, low-code functionality, multi-carrier automation, label and forms automation, branded tracking notifications, and insights from the industry’s most reliable shipping AI.But one of the most important benefits is the 24/7 support. Because as Joe puts it, “Support matters when you're an SMB online seller. But if you become an enterprise-grade shipper, support becomes everything.”Luma AI is now available in EasyPost EnterpriseLuma AI is like a shipping professional in your pocket—it provides insights and advice based on EasyPost’s vast store of shipment data and your own shipping history. And now, Luma AI can be accessed through EasyPost Enterprise.Joe shares one example of Luma AI’s precision: “[Luma might] recommend [that] for two-day shipping down to the southwest part of the U.S., you switch from this carrier and service level over to this carrier and service level.”“And Luma AI tells you [that] you will literally save 25% in costs and over 30% time in transit if you make this exact carrier and service level switch.”LinksConnect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-dieter/Learn more about EasyPost Enterprise: https://www.easypost.com/products/enterprise/Visit EasyPost’s website: https://www.easypost.com/

Numbers are critical in the logistics industry, but focusing too much on deadlines, quotas, and revenue can cause leaders to overlook what really matters: relationships.In this episode, Marty Johnson and Fahim Mojawalla from AYM High Consultants share how they prioritize long-lasting relationships with both clients and team members. Listen to learn why they believe relationships beat transactions—every time.Transactions vs. relationshipsTransactions are a normal (and important) part of business; without them, no company could ever stay afloat. But Fahim warns that having an overly transactional mindset isn’t the best path to growth.He shares a phrase he coined: “Relationships reap real results regardless of recessions.”Marty adds, “Customer is a very transactional word,” explaining that he and Fahim prefer to use the words guest or client. “A guest is someone you welcome into your space. … And a client is someone with whom you have a relationship that you do business [with] over and over again.”Creating a standout customer experienceMarty and Fahim have a simple goal: “We want to go from satisfied guest to loyal advocate.”They point out that shipping is often seen as mundane, especially from a consumer’s point of view. But when a business takes the time to understand its client’s needs, the shipping experience becomes enjoyable and memorable.The result? “They're going to go out and tell all their friends and family, wow, I just had a great time shipping a package. … People are then talking about it and … coming in to experience what you have to offer.”How to hire (and retain) outstanding team membersWhen hiring, personality comes first for Marty and Fahim. As Marty explains, “[We] hire the smile, train the skills. … Personality has to be number one; heart, authenticity, care have to be number one.”Fahim gets even more specific, listing six must-have traits for anyone he hires. “So there are six qualities … being hungry, humble, coachable … intelligence, integrity, and enthusiasm. And if you have all six, everything else can be taught in any industry.”LinksVisit AYM High Consultants’ websiteConnect with Marty on LinkedIn Connect with Fahim on LinkedInTop logistics trade shows of 2026

It’s a wrap! As season five of Unboxing Logistics concludes, Tim Ranagan and Lori Boyer look back at the issues that mattered most to ecommerce and operations teams this year. They revisit the standout conversations on peak season, AI, cross-border shipping, and rising costs before sharing what listeners can expect in season six.Season five’s big ideasMuch of season five centered on two ideas that kept surfacing across conversations: cost awareness and the human element. Lori noted that several experts described teams “not always sure and [not having] visibility into where they might be losing their money.” At the same time, even the most technical discussions pointed back to people and how real teams work, reinforcing that logistics decisions only succeed when the human side stays front and center.A major theme—dealing with uncertaintyAlmost every guest emphasized how much uncertainty logistics teams are managing right now. And while that can be scary, it’s also exciting.Lori describes the moment as “a stage that’s primed for opportunity and creativity,” especially for companies looking to close cost gaps or adopt new technology. What’s coming in season sixBig things are in store for next season! Lori shares that season six will feature a new carrier series designed to help businesses understand “where different carriers might fit well for your particular business model.” Additionally, listeners can expect even more human-centered conversations and timely discussions tied to industry events.LinksConnect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/ Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ranagan-mba-2717bb125/ Visit EasyPost’s website: https://www.easypost.com/

Have a great idea for a new product? To turn the vision into a reality, you need to partner with reliable suppliers. But finding suppliers you can count on is easier said than done. If sourcing has been giving you grief, this is the Unboxing Logistics episode for you!Mattia Miglio from Alibaba.com joins Lori to share tips for finding suppliers, making sure they’re a good fit for your business, and building partnerships that last.How to find the right suppliersWhen you’re on the hunt for a new partner, Mattia recommends using a platform like Alibaba.com to find vetted suppliers from across the globe. For the most accurate picture of their performance, make sure to read customer reviews and check how long they’ve been active on the platform.Once you’re ready to move forward, Mattia says, “Always ask for samples. … If you are a beauty brand, for example, you can ask for [un]customized samples. Then you can go to customized samples, and then you place the first order with minimal quantities. Then if you're happy, you can scale up.”Why supplier diversification mattersAccording to Mattia, the safest course for a small business is to always have at least three suppliers. If one partner runs into manufacturing or shipping delays, you’ll be able to rely on your others.He also notes, “Logistics costs are a big component. So if you find another supplier [that] can reduce your logistics costs, that will have an impact.” Building long-term partnershipsSourcing is a careful balance; while you want to build trusting, long-term partnerships, you also have to be open to change. “I always recommend [finding] the right partner, not [just] a supplier. … These relationships should go for the long term. But always compare prices. Always have a backup plan.”LinksConnect with Mattia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattiamiglio/ Visit Alibaba.com’s website: https://www.alibaba.com/

Are you taking advantage of the $100 of shipping insurance included for select USPS labels? Most businesses aren’t. They don’t file claims, leaving thousands of dollars on the table. Fortunately, there’s a way to recoup lost funds without the filing hassle. In this EasyPost Insider episode, Tyler Diestel joins Lori to share everything you need to know about EasyPost’s USPS Claims service. What is USPS Claims?Tyler explains, “USPS Claims is an amazing product that makes it easy for shippers to get money back … from [USPS]. Because we have a treasure trove of data, we can tell when a package is lost or damaged. … We're able to file claims … to help our shippers recoup [their money].”Why automate claims filing with EasyPost?Many merchants don’t file insurance claims because they don’t realize that shipping insurance is included in the label price. But for others, it’s simply a matter of time. “They don't have time to figure out which of their shipments are actually eligible. They don't have time to go in and file a claim for each of those shipments. They don't have time to follow up on the progress of those claims.”For these busy logistics teams, USPS Claims is a huge time saver.How the process worksGetting started with USPS Claims is easy—you can enroll in the program right from the EasyPost dashboard. While the process is almost entirely automatic, Tyler does note that if you don’t provide product values at label purchase, you’ll need to add that information after the fact. “As we go through our claims process and identify shipments that can be filed, we will send you an email saying, there are 20 shipments that need additional info … please log into the portal [and] fill it out.”When claims are approved, the funds go back into your EasyPost Wallet for future label purchases. LinksConnect with Tyler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdiestel/ Learn more about USPS Claims by EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/usps-claims 

In August 2025, three innovative carriers announced a merger that will allow them to better serve their customers. ACI Logistix, First Mile, and Sendle are now FAST Group, an integrated logistics ecosystem. What does the merger mean for their customers? In this episode, Lori sits down with Keith Somers, the new CEO of FAST Group, to answer that question and get a behind-the-scenes look at FAST Group’s operations, culture, and values.What is FAST Group?The beauty of FAST Group is that it brings together three companies with different strengths, giving their customers access to more specialized shipping services.Keith explains, “Legacy ACI focused on the enterprise segment. [They] had high-volume sortation systems [and a] really efficient middle and last mile. … First Mile, their segment was SMB clients, so they had a really amazing first-mile pickup infrastructure. … Sendle had … built this amazing consumer experience platform.”Now that the three brands have joined forces, they’re a “one-stop shop for customers and clients of any size … [to] get customized pickup [and] delivery [from] anywhere to anywhere.”A shipping partner that grows with your businessFAST Group’s services are perfect for small businesses, major enterprises, and anything in between. Keith puts it like this: “Clients of any size can enjoy this now. And we [can] grow with a client. They could start in their garage, and maybe they're selling yoga pants and they're going to be the next lululemon. They could stay with us the entire journey.”Behind the scenes of the mergerWith the merger happening so close to peak season, it’s reasonable that shippers using ACI Logistix, First Mile, or Sendle might worry about service disruptions. But Keith shares several strategies FAST Group is implementing to keep things running smoothly.One key to their success? Staying focused.  “Integration can take 18 months or more. So you might think you're done, and you're not. … [You need to] ignore all the shiny objects, because there's a lot of opportunities, and you really stay focused and true to what that core mission is until that box is checked.”Links:Connect with Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-somers-71273b6/Learn more about FAST Group: https://fastgroup.co/

Neurodiverse people have amazing talents that help them shine in logistics roles, but they also face unique challenges that can make it difficult to thrive in the workplace. In this Unboxing Logistics episode, Dylan Telford and Jarlath Phelan from Summit Advisory Team share their personal experiences with neurodivergence. They and Lori discuss what neurodivergent people bring to the table, how they can be themselves, and what coworkers and leaders can do to foster inclusivity.Neurodivergence in the logistics industryLori starts the episode with a surprising statistic. According to a recent study, 58% of people in the logistics and supply chain industry identify as neurodivergent—more than double what you’d see in other industries!Jarlath’s reaction to the stat? “It makes a lot of sense. There's a lot of pattern recognition [in logistics]. There's a lot of creative thinking required …  it makes total sense that that's what neurodivergent people are drawn to.”The importance of being openAccording to Dylan, the best way for neurodivergent people to work well with neurotypical coworkers—and avoid misunderstandings or conflicts—is to communicate openly.He says, “When I got my diagnosis, I learned that the more open I was, the easier it was … to be part of a community of people that's all trying to make work … as easy as it can be for everybody.” For example, after hearing feedback about talking too much, Dylan began asking coworkers to interrupt him if he was getting off track, telling them, “You need to stop me when you have enough [information].”Leadership tips for creating an inclusive workplaceJarlath and Dylan both weigh in on what logistics leaders can do to help neurodivergent employees have great experiences at work. Jarlath’s request is simple: “Just treat me as an individual.” Dylan adds that while leaders should definitely make an effort to be inclusive of neurodivergent individuals, they also need to recognize that inclusive workplaces benefit everyone.“You're not creating quiet places to work in the office for people who are neurodivergent. You're creating quiet places in the office for people who may need time that is quieter … for what they do. And that could be anybody.”LinksConnect with Dylan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-telford-b7404769/ Connect with Jarlath on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarlathphelan/ Visit Summit Advisory Team’s website: https://summitadvisoryteam.com/

Blue Yonder recently released their 2025 Global Consumer Retail Returns Survey, and it’s jam-packed with insights. In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, Lori sits down with Tim Robinson, senior vice president and general manager at Blue Yonder, to talk through the survey’s findings and offer practical suggestions for handling returns effectively.What to do with returned itemsAs Tim points out, most businesses automatically equate returned items with lost profits, assuming they’ll never be able to resell the products that customers send back. But with the right tools and strategies, this doesn’t have to be the reality.Tim explains, “The philosophical shift is [that] you have to consider these items assets. This is real-life inventory, which can be resold for full value on Wednesday.”He continues, “If you use technology to treat returning items in exactly the same way you would a brand new outbound item—i.e. you use technology to know where it is, what it is, when it's coming, to forecast [how] to sell it, to fulfill it, to ship it—then actually, [there’s] a very high likelihood that you'll be able to resell that item … for the vast majority of its [original] sale price.”The downside of “keep-it” returnsOne of the survey’s findings is that 2025 had fewer “keep-it” returns than 2024. Tim shares a possible reason why brands are avoiding this type of return.When a business lets someone keep an item, they’re sending a subtle message that the item is low-value. “It basically means it costs them more money to deal with it than its value. If you are the consumer, how does that make you feel about that item?”Should you tighten your returns policy before peak?With some shoppers taking advantage of generous return policies, many businesses have added stricter rules. Should you do the same? According to Tim, the months leading up to peak season aren’t the time to make changes. Instead, it’s best to focus on creating a great customer experience.“I definitely feel like this is not a time to tighten your policy. … This is not a time to … make it harder for people to shop, because ultimately we all survive and grow and thrive if consumers still feel compelled to shop at this time of year.” LinksConnect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-robinson-ceo/Visit Blue Yonder’s website: https://blueyonder.com/ The Global Consumer Retail Returns Survey: https://blueyonder.com/media/2025/blue-yonder-survey-stricter-returns-policies-deter-global-consumer-spending Survey infographic: https://blueyonder.com/resources/consumer-data-from-blue-yonder-can-help-retailers-optimize-returns

Last week, Lori Boyer and Tom Butt attended Parcel Forum, where EasyPost was the official AI in logistics sponsor. In addition to presenting on AI tools, Lori and Tom got a chance to talk with shippers about the problems they’re facing—and how artificial intelligence can help. They share their takeaways in this episode of Unboxing Logistics.The AI conversationTom noticed a pattern at Parcel Forum: businesses were curious about adopting AI logistics technology, but they weren’t sure whether to make the leap.He says, “Everyone … was talking and comparing notes and saying, ‘This AI thing, is it a buzzword? How are you guys using it? When is the starting gun going to go off?’”How AI helps with shippingAI is a powerful tool for collecting and analyzing data, but its capabilities go way beyond data analysis. For example, AI tools like Luma by EasyPost can identify weak areas in your shipping operations and suggest improvements.Tom gives an example. “[You can] see if there are … delays within your carrier network. Where are those occurring? Is it pre-transit exceptions, [where] you're printing a label, but it's not scanning into the carrier network?”“AI is going to help you identify where those exceptions are and potentially make some recommendations on how to address those things.”When to get started with AIOne of the biggest mistakes Tom sees shippers make is not getting started with AI now. By waiting for other businesses to lead the way, these hesitant players risk getting left behind. On the other hand, being an early adopter gives you a competitive edge.He says, “I can tell you right now, there's not going to be a starting gun. And those that adopt AI and start to build it into some methodologies, build it into frameworks, are going to have a head start and a leg up.”LinksConnect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombutt/Visit EasyPost’s website: www.easypost.com

AI has taken the world by storm, with top companies using it to optimize every part of their operations—including shipping and logistics. But it can be tricky finding an AI solution that actually solves your business problems. In this episode, Benjamin (Ben) Gordon, managing partner and CEO at Cambridge Capital, sits down with Lori to break down what AI can do, where it might fall short, and how to choose tools that work.The transformative power of AIBen believes that AI has the “capacity to totally transform not just logistics, but everything.” But when it comes to logistics, AI is particularly valuable. He explains, “AI is outstanding in areas that are process-intensive and … document-intensive.”Ben continues, “In the end, [AI will] be a tremendous source of productivity gain for companies that use it well.”Improving the brand experience with AIOften, Ben explains, “The supply chain is the weak link in the consumer brand experience.” AI can help change that.First, it’s a powerful tool for customer communication. “There's no excuse in the world of AI today to not have an instant answer to a customer question. ‘Where's my stuff?’ should never be [answered] with, ‘You know, we'll get back to you in two business days.’” Additionally, AI is one of the best ways to optimize shipping for reliability and timeliness.“What [businesses are] increasingly doing is using AI to look for patterns. For example, wouldn't it be good to know … that whatever ships out on Tuesdays tends to be faster than what ships out on Fridays? Maybe … you want to push more promotions on a Tuesday than a Friday, because that way the customer gets [their order] faster, then they're happier.”What to consider when choosing an AI solutionSome AI technology claims to do it all, while other solutions offer more specific capabilities. In Ben’s opinion, all-in-one tools aren’t necessarily the best bet right now. “In the early stages of innovation, the point solutions are almost always better. … But there will come a time in the next three to five years where [AI] evolves, and then you'll be able to find integrated platforms that can do it all.”LinksConnect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengordon18/Visit Cambridge Capital’s website: https://cambridgecapital.com/

Last week, Joe Dieter and Lori Boyer from EasyPost sat down to explore EasyPost tools that help businesses navigate the complexities of peak season. In this episode, they continue their discussion.Shipping can drive growthMost businesses view shipping as a “dreaded, unpredictable cost center”—but it doesn’t have to be. Joe explains, “[Shipping can be] a strategic growth lever. Do you want to make more money this holiday season? It can actually happen through how you ship. … You can increase profits if you have the latest and greatest tools and systems. And here at EasyPost, we've worked hard to … build [them].”Innovative carriers to try this peakThe EasyPost Shipping API makes it easy to use the shipping carriers you already know and love. But Joe points out that it also provides access to innovative carriers you may not have used yet, including Amazon Shipping and Maersk Parcel.“Amazon … came in and said, we're going to do seven-day-a-week pickup and delivery. We're going to decrease the amount of surcharges. … We're going to have hassle-free claims. We're going to have lower prices across the board.”“Maersk is going to become … one of the most cost-effective ways, especially for smaller shippers or SMB shippers, to move packages within the U.S.”Expecting the unexpected with EasyPost GuardJoe perfectly sums up one of the biggest challenges of peak season: “Nothing will ever go a hundred percent perfect. It's unpredictable.”To have peace of mind, he explains, you need a solution that protects revenue when packages get lost, damaged, or stolen. That’s why EasyPost created the Guard suite of tools.“Our Shipping Insurance API [provides] the most hassle-free way to file a claim, to hold onto your money, to get a claim approved, and to have instant coverage on a parcel. Our USPS Claims program is … the safest way to ship USPS this peak season.”LinksConnect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-dieter/Talk to EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/talk-to-easypost/

Joe Dieter has talked with countless EasyPost customers. And lately, he’s heard the same concern from many of them: peak season 2025 is a whole new ballgame. Rising costs and unpredictable demand have many shippers scrambling to prepare.Joe’s advice for confronting the uncertainty? “Ship fast. Don't ship reckless. Be protected.”And EasyPost offers solutions to accomplish all three goals. In this EasyPost Insider episode, Joe and Lori discuss several tools (including a few brand new offerings) to help businesses ship successfully this peak.EasyPost Wallet makes it easy to use your favorite carriersThe EasyPost Shipping API has always helped businesses purchase shipping labels at great rates from their favorite carriers. Now, EasyPost Wallet is taking the convenience to the next level.Joe explains, “Wallet [allows] you to quickly get up and running with the carriers and service levels that [help you ship fast] without breaking the bank [or] juggling a lot of carrier relationships.”He continues, “You have one simple billing experience. You have one invoice experience. You're not having to submit all these customer care or support issues directly to carriers.” Advanced Tracking turns tracking into a brand-building opportunitySending customers tracking notifications is “table stakes,” reducing support tickets and ensuring that “you don’t have an angry consumer on your hands.”But the best brands are going beyond the basics, turning tracking notifications into strategic marketing messages.As Joe puts it, “It's not just, here's the latest update on all your packages. It's also, here's a story we want to tell you that's going to further build that relationship with you, the consumer.” The easiest way to level up your tracking? Use Advanced Tracking by EasyPost. “[It] not only gives you real-time updates, it gives you comprehensive, branded, AI-powered predictive tracking.”Forge allows marketplaces to offer a state-of-the-art shipping experienceMarketplaces want to offer easy, affordable shipping to their sellers (and their sellers’ customers). But they usually don’t have deep experience building the shipping technology that would allow them to do that. Enter: EasyPost Forge.“These big marketplaces do an incredible job of being a marketplace,” Joe explains. “But at their core, they weren't about a shipping operation. So we created something called Forge. Forge allows a marketplace to instantly set up the most reliable shipping software [they] could possibly offer.”LinksConnect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-dieter/Visit EasyPost’s website: https://www.easypost.com/

Peak season shipping can get complicated. International shipping can be a major headache. Combine the two, and it might seem like stress is inevitable. But if you follow the best practices recommended by Jonathan Witt, senior partnerships manager at Sendle, your peak season cross-border shipping can be successful and stress-free.The best way to get started If your business hasn’t yet expanded to international markets, Jonathan highly recommends getting started. His advice? Start small. “You don't have to ship everywhere. You don't have to sell globally. It's probably better that you are intentional and selective with countries that you want to sell to, because you want to understand the customer base, as well as all the requirements for shipping internationally.”Avoiding customs delaysDelays lead to frustrated customers—something you don’t want to deal with during the busiest time of the year. By understanding and complying with cross-border shipping regulations, you’ll ensure your goods clear customs and arrive on time.Jonathan shares a few things to watch out for. “Why do shipments get stuck? Usually because of missing or wrong documents, [like] your commercial invoice, which has all the product information.”He continues, “Make sure that on the commercial invoice, you're associating your products with the right HS code. Make sure that you're listing the country of origin correctly in case that package does get inspected.”DDP vs. DDU—what’s best?If you’re shipping internationally, delivered duty paid (DDP), “where the buyer or the receiver has to pay all the shipping costs and duties and taxes upfront at checkout,” is generally the best way to handle things. While delivered duty unpaid (DDU) can work in some situations, it’s best to avoid surprise fees upon package delivery.As Jonathan puts it, “Being a little bit more transparent … just makes a better customer experience.”LinksConnect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-witt-372a65b4/Visit Sendle’s website: https://www.sendle.com/en-us

July 2025 didn’t bring any earth-shattering developments—but that doesn’t mean nothing happened. When you look closely, you can see subtle but significant shifts in the realm of shipping and logistics. In this episode, Lori Boyer and Tim Ranagan discuss the latest trends and share some strategies for adapting. Here’s a rundown:Warehouse jobs have droppedThis time of year usually sees an increase in warehouse jobs as businesses start preparing for the holiday shipping season. But 2025 isn’t staying on script.Lori explains, “Typically, as we hit about July, from July through November … we see about 10,000 to 15,000 additional warehouse jobs open up. [But this] July, we actually lost almost 6,500 warehouse jobs. … We have our lowest number of total warehouse roles … since COVID.” Carriers compensate for low shipping volumeWarehouse labor isn’t the only thing on the decline. In July, domestic package volume dropped by 7.3% year-over-year. The result? Carriers—especially national ones—have been adjusting their operations and raising prices to protect their margins.“In the last month or so, FedEx [has] consolidated its network. It's been cutting staff. … [And] USPS just raised its rates again.”To keep shipping costs low, Lori and Tim recommend diversifying your carrier mix. As Lori puts it, “You shouldn't ever have a single carrier.”A tip to prepare for peak seasonWe’re coming up on a “peak season of uncertainty and a little challenge.” Amidst economic uncertainty and decreasing consumer demand, shippers should focus on flexibility. “You need to communicate, you need to diversify, [you need to] keep an eye on what's going on, and … be ready to pivot and make changes on the fly."LinksConnect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ranagan-mba-2717bb125/Visit EasyPost's website: https://www.easypost.com/

When you’re shipping perishables like produce, the stakes are high; even a one-day delay can ruin an entire truckload of food.Colby Varley, vice president and principal at Advanced Transportation Services (ATS), explains what’s going on in the perishable freight world and how logistics companies and shippers can work together to make sure every load arrives in perfect condition.The state of perishable freightThe COVID-19 pandemic shook up the freight shipping industry, and now that things have settled, loading efficiency is the name of the game. Colby explains, “[During] COVID … they were shipping whatever they could, whether it was half a truck or a quarter of a truck. They were just shipping it. Since then, that trend has reversed. Now everybody is maximizing their cube space.”But he’s seen a troubling pattern lately: certain types of produce haven’t been doing well, with some freight companies struggling to fill trucks.“[For] the Mexican grape crop, they're estimating about a 2 million box loss out there. … [If] you take 2 million boxes out of the equation, that's a lot of trucks that aren’t going to get loads. … We've had trucks every week deadheading back to California to come pick up a load because there's just nothing there."Finding your nicheColby’s advice for freight companies? Choose a specialty and stick with it. “Stay in your niche, stay in your lane, and become the expert in that field, whether you're doing dry freight, doing bulk tanker, [or] doing flatbed.”He uses ATS as an example: “The markets fluctuate all the time. But we just stay true to highly perishable food and produce.”Why top-tier service is worth the costGrowers looking for the best deal on freight shipping might be tempted to spring for a good deal. But low costs can come with risks, especially with cargo as volatile as fresh fruits and vegetables. According to Colby, great service is worth paying for.“Service is the number one thing. And we do have to charge a little bit more for that. … On any produce shipment, the difference between being one day late is the difference of that produce making it through quality control [or] not.”LinksConnect with Colby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-varley-5ba57a69/Visit Advanced Transportation Services’s website: https://advancedtransportationservices.com/

Most retailers view returns as a necessary evil. You have to offer returns to stay competitive, but accepting unwanted or damaged products—and shipping replacements—drains resources and wastes time. What if it didn’t have to be that way?In this episode, Virgil Ghic, co-founder of WeSupply, makes a bold claim: returns don’t have to be a cost center. In fact, with the right strategy, they can even drive revenue! The importance of designing your returns policyIf you want returns to be profitable, you can’t just implement a cookie-cutter policy. Virgil explains, “If [you] are just offering a 30-day return policy, no questions asked, the chances of making it profitable are none. Most likely you're just going to lose a lot of money. But if you are designing the experience, designing the outcomes, designing the logistics behind the scenes … then you're going to have a profitable [policy]. Even if it's not profitable, you are going to decrease the cost significantly.” How to make returns a revenue driverVirgil shares two ideas for making returns profitable: encouraging customers to choose store credit and allowing in-store returns.Store credit. To encourage buyers to shop from your store after making a return, Virgil recommends incentivizing store credit rather than cash back. “[Let’s say] you have a $100 item that you are exchanging for an $80 item. You can offer [the remaining $20] as a refund, [or] you can offer $25 as store credit.” In-store returns. People who walk into the store to return a product usually end up purchasing something else. So if you have brick-and-mortar locations, make sure the in-person returns experience is smooth and convenient.Data is everythingOf course, the best way to handle returns is to prevent them in the first place. For that, you’ll need data—lots of it. “If you have the data, you can look into it and … analyze it. You can take action on it.”For example, consider a dress that lots of people return because of sizing issues. “[Saying] it doesn't fit doesn't tell you anything. … If we are just asking the customer [is it] too big or too small, that's not actionable. Nobody knows what to do with that data.”The solution? Get specific. Ask the customer exactly why the fit is wrong, then adjust the dress or refine the sizing description on your website. “[Once] you understand [the issue] … you give [the product] back to the merchandising team or the manufacturing team, and they can do adjustments. And they can maybe say on the website, this model runs big or runs wide.”LinksConnect with Virgil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virgilghic/Visit WeSupply’s website: https://wesupplylabs.com/

So far, 2025 has kept us on our toes, especially with all the uncertainty surrounding tariffs. But in this episode of Unboxing the Trends, Lori and Tim take a break from the tariff talk to discuss three major trends from June: warehouse automation, carrier shifts, and drone deliveries.Listen to this 15-minute episode to get up to date with the latest shipping and logistics happenings! Amazon reaches a million warehouse robotsAs of last month, Amazon has deployed over a million robots in their warehouses. As Lori points out, robots now outnumber human workers! It might sound a little dystopian, but automation is incredibly helpful for businesses—as long as they don’t neglect their human employees. Lori recommends, “Don’t just drop some tech in without training. Make sure that your people are part of the process.”Carrier relationships are shiftingUPS and FedEx have each made changes to their relationships with Amazon. “UPS has pulled back a whole bunch from its Amazon business,” Lori explains, “while FedEx has picked up a bunch of the Amazon volume.” What does that mean for your shipping?“If you're super UPS dependent, you might see maybe a little bit of disruption … maybe some reliability concerns. On the flip side, if you are heavily dependent on FedEx, you'll have steady operation that's expanded, but you might face tighter capacity.”Walmart expands drone deliveryWalmart has partnered with Wing to offer drone delivery to over 100 new stores across major metropolitan areas like Houston and Atlanta. This signals that drone delivery may be moving past the “novelty stage [and] expanding into something that people are starting to use and expect.”But don’t get too excited yet. It remains to be seen whether drone delivery will take off or fall flat. The two determining factors: regulations and cost-effectiveness.LinksConnect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ranagan-mba-2717bb125/Visit EasyPost’s website: https://www.easypost.com/

Now that we’re past the halfway point of the year (can you believe it?), it’s time to get serious about peak season. When handled right, peak is an opportunity to drive more sales than ever, reach new markets, and continue to delight loyal customers. But will tariffs, inflation, and other issues stand in the way? Sucharita Kodali, retail industry analyst at Forrester, explains exactly what’s going on in the retail industry, what we can expect from the 2025 peak season, and how to get ready. What’s the current state of retail?It’s no secret that the past few months have been full of economic uncertainty for both consumers and businesses. Sucharita says that while essential goods are still in high demand, retailers that sell non-essentials may be struggling.“There is a particularly uncertain vibe [due to] … not knowing where the tariff situation may land, as well as consumer confidence not being terribly high, which means that a lot of discretionary items are more vulnerable.”What can retailers expect from peak season 2025?Sucharita points out an interesting contradiction: while consumer confidence has been “quite low,” spending levels in 2025 are still relatively high—even when adjusted for inflation. That’s good news for businesses moving into the holiday season.Even so, she predicts that peak season will see heavy discounting as usual (consumers, rejoice!) unless brands face major supply chain issues.She notes, “There's no reason to hold onto inventory and hoard it. So unless there's a supply shock, I can't envision a scenario where it's not going to be another heavy discounting season.”Should businesses frontload inventory?The decision to frontload inventory depends on many factors, including storage and transportation costs, margins, categories, and anticipated demand. According to Sucharita, “Perhaps the biggest issue is [whether] you have cash. If you don't have any money and you don't have any savings, does it make sense to put yourself in credit card debt? No.” So if you’re thinking about stocking up ahead of peak season, make sure your cash flow can support the extra costs you’ll incur.LinksConnect with Sucharita on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sucharitamulpuru/Visit Forrester’s website: https://www.forrester.com/bold/

In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, host Lori Boyer kicks off Season 5 with a fun and insightful discussion about gamification in the supply chain. Joined by Katie Brown, Senior Director of Product Management at Foot Locker, and Dylan Telford, Omnichannel Practice Lead at Summit Advisory Team, they explore how introducing game-like elements into warehouse operations can drive motivation, improve productivity, and even make picking and packing a bit more fun.Gamification is more than a leaderboard, it’s about meaningful motivationGamification isn’t just displaying performance stats. Real impact comes when the experience feels rewarding, includes clear goals, and provides a reason to play, whether that’s pay-for-performance, team recognition, or personal growth.“Everybody who's attempting to get to that win in the end is successful in playing the game.” —Dylan TelfordMeasurement is the foundation of any effective gamification strategyBefore introducing competition or incentives, teams need to define what success looks like and track it consistently. Without goals and metrics, gamification falls flat.“You need to be able to measure. Otherwise you're playing a game with no goals.” —Dylan TelfordSimplicity, coaching, and iteration are key to long-term successGamification shouldn’t be complicated. Start small, involve the team, and keep improving based on real feedback. And don’t forget: it’s just as important to lift up lower performers as it is to celebrate top ones.“Sometimes bringing up the bottom is almost more impactful than raising the top of the bar.” —Katie BrownLinksConnect with Katie Brown on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katie-brown-41807347 Visit Foot Locker’s website: https://www.footlocker.com/ Connect with Dylan Telford on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dylan-telford-b7404769 Visit Summit Advisory Team’s website:  https://summitadvisoryteam.com/ 

In this EasyPost Insider episode of Unboxing Logistics, host Lori Boyer sits down with Senior Product Manager Brittany Williams to unveil Forge, EasyPost’s newest product. Built for 3PLs, marketplaces, tech companies, and carriers, Forge offers a white-label shipping solution that makes it easy to onboard customers, manage subaccounts, and access detailed analytics—all without burdening your dev team. Whether you want to enable new carriers with a click or centralize billing, Forge simplifies complex operations with powerful admin tools and best-in-class APIs.Forge simplifies shipping infrastructure for businesses with complex customer networks "Forge is EasyPost’s solution for businesses that want to white label our shipping technology into their own products and services . . . it’s about bringing more value to your customers and your team without time waste."Admin tools and analytics are the standout features "I have two top contenders in terms of features. First is Forge's administrative tools around customer management . . . The second feature to call out is the analytics. I think EasyPost does a lot of things really well, but analytics is one of those things that we do truly better than anybody else."You can get started in minutes, with no added integration if you’re already an EasyPost customer "[Y]ou could begin creating customer records in hour one, minute one . . . if you're an existing customer, and you want to upgrade your dashboard to the Forge dashboard, there is no lift . . ."LinksConnect with Brittany Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-williams-597289124/  Learn more about Forge: www.easypost.com/forge 

In this month’s episode of Unboxing the Trends, Tim Ranagan and Lori Boyer dive into the latest shifts in the shipping landscape—no tariff talk this time. From the rise of regional carriers to DHL’s B2C restrictions and changes at the USPS, it’s a carrier-heavy episode packed with actionable insights. Lori also previews her upcoming appearance at the National Postal Forum and speculates on the future of USPS leadership.Carriers are losing ground—literally Alternative carriers have stepped up in a major way, delivering 44% more packages in 2024 than the previous year. Much of that volume shifted away from FedEx and UPS, with major retailers like Amazon and Walmart expanding their own delivery networks. Lori emphasizes the importance of carrier diversification, saying, “We’re no longer in that era of just sticking with the big dogs.” If you’ve been relying on a favorite carrier, it may be time to rethink your strategy—and even renegotiate your contracts.DHL limits B2C shipmentsDHL has temporarily paused cross-border B2C shipments over $800, citing customs-related complications. This change doesn’t impact B2B shipments, but small businesses shipping high-value items to customers directly could be caught off guard. Lori urges businesses to stay proactive by diversifying cross-border options and staying connected with customs advisors and logistics consultants to avoid surprises.USPS leadership change & service shiftWith Postmaster General Louis DeJoy stepping down, the logistics world is waiting to see who will lead USPS next. Lori floats the idea of a possible announcement at the upcoming National Postal Forum. Meanwhile, USPS has adjusted service standards: Rural Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail may now see an extra day in transit. If you serve rural customers, it’s worth reviewing your delivery timelines to ensure you’re still hitting SLAs.LinksConnect with Lori on LinkedInConnect with Tim on LinkedInVisit EasyPost’s website

In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, Lori Boyer sits down with Brandan Gale, CEO of Retail Shipping Associates (RSA) and Package Hub Business Centers. With decades of experience and 38 stores under his belt, Brandon shares how RSA helps small businesses succeed through training, resources, and a powerful sense of community. His big takeaway? Small retailers don’t have to go it alone!  The Power of Listening to Your CustomersBrandon’s success story started with a single store and grew into a network of nearly 40 locations—all because he listened closely to his customers and responded to their evolving needs. He shares how this same mindset is essential for retail store owners today.“The most successful people love their customers and want to know everything they can know about them to fill their needs,” he says. Knowing their needs helps because, as he says, “[O]ne new idea, one new product, one new service, a different way to approach marketing, can change the entire trajectory of how you're making money.” Being attuned to their community helps businesses stay both relevant and profitable. Industry Support Makes All the DifferenceRSA provides members with tools most independent operators wouldn’t be able to access on their own: certification training, in-person bootcamps, regulatory updates, business insurance programs, website templates, webinars, and exclusive discounts through vetted supplier partnerships. “I’m a giant fan of overwhelming my customers with value,” Gale says. And the resources RSA provides are designed to take pressure off of owners wearing too many hats and help them shift from working in their business to working on it. Networking Can Change the GameWhile RSA offers plenty of formal training, Gale emphasizes that peer-to-peer learning is just as powerful. Events like the RS Expo and regional bootcamps give store owners the chance to connect, share strategies, and learn from one another.  He loves talking to conference attendees about their experience at the conference. “They walk away with a renewed enthusiasm for this business because they talk to people that have figured it out,” Gale reports. Many longtime operators leave their first RSA event wondering how much more successful they could have been if they’d joined sooner. LinksConnect with Brandon Gale on LinkedIn.Visit the Retail Shipping Associates website. Visit the Package Hub Business Centers website. 

You probably know Maersk as a container shipping company, but the end-to-end logistics provider now has a new offering for parcel shipping: Maersk Parcel. According to John Kruzan, this regional service is made up of a “pickup and delivery network that can move packages … at a very competitive rate, at a very competitive time in transit.”Listen to learn what makes Maersk Parcel great for small businesses and how to get started.The motivation behind Maersk ParcelJohn starts by describing the current state of the parcel shipping industry, particularly when it comes to large carriers. Simply put, “ We've got fees going up, but we've also got services going down.” Recognizing that rising costs and declining service quality aren’t a good combination, Maersk had an idea: “ We could take a look at the market and … change it and elevate it a little bit with a new product that does new things.”Who should use Maersk Parcel?Maersk Parcel is “specifically built for the small and mid-size business market,” John explains, adding that the service addresses the pain points of mom-and-pop shops, brick-and-mortar retail locations, and smaller ecommerce brands. He mentions a few things these small businesses should keep in mind:Maersk Parcel focuses on shipping to zones 1-5It covers the top 30 metropolitan statistical areas (urban areas) in the U.S.Benefits of shipping parcels with MaerskThe main reason to add Maersk Parcel to your carrier mix? Maersk is focused on providing a top-notch delivery experience. John notes that “relationships are the lifeblood of a small merchant,” and shipping plays a big role in developing good relationships.John also points out some specific benefits of Maersk Parcel: competitive rates (including a sub-pound rate), fast delivery times (three days in transit), and a super simple claims process backed by Maersk customer service.How to get started with Maersk ParcelInterested in shipping with Maersk Parcel? Their partnership with EasyPost makes it easy! As John puts it, “It's basically turning on a switch. There is no integration, there is no waiting for contracts to be signed.”If you’re not already an EasyPost customer, sign up at https://app.easypost.com/signup—it’s free for small shippers. Once you’ve created an account, you’ll be able to access a library of over 100 carriers, including Maersk Parcel.LinksConnect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkruzan/ Visit Maersk’s website: https://www.maersk.com/ 

Along with recent changes to U.S. tariffs, there’s been talk about changes to the de minimis exemption that allows tax-free imports of goods worth up to $800. How does de minimis work, and what will it mean for businesses if the rule is changed? Kate Muth, executive director of the International Mailers Advisory Group (IMAG), weighs in. De minimis definedKate explains, “De minimis is the value under which goods can come into the U.S. free of duties and without having to [go] through the formal entry process.” The de minimis threshold for U.S. imports is higher than many other countries: $800.While people often talk about the “de minimis loophole,” Kate clarifies that de minimis isn’t a loophole. “It's actually a core U.S. trade policy. … It's based on sound economic underpinnings that goods can be shipped quickly and affordably. You know, they can have a streamlined process for entry. And that benefits U.S. businesses.”What’s going on with de minimis in the U.S.?When the Trump administration announced tariffs against Mexico, China, and Canada, they also announced that the de minimis exemption was going away. But as Kate explains, the abrupt change caused a lot of issues.“[It happened] way too suddenly. It overwhelmed CBP. … The Postal Service briefly said [they weren’t] going to take anything from China or Hong Kong, because [they don’t] have a mechanism to collect duties and taxes.”The result?“The president came out with an updated executive order and said, we will reinstate de minimis exemption until an effective mechanism for collecting the duties and taxes can be in place. … So we're still in that period [where] de minimis is allowed.”De minimis, tariffs, and SMBsWhile larger organizations will be able to adjust to de minimis changes and new tariffs, small businesses are likely to struggle. As Kate notes, “If you're a big retailer like Walmart, you have the leverage to lean on your suppliers to demand that they eat some of that cost of the tariff. But that just means that the supplier is going to seek [to recover] that cost … somewhere else. And that's usually the small and mid-sized business.”LinksConnect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-muth-76b5a7165/Visit IMAG’s website: https://www.internationalmailers.net/Comment on the proposed rule “Trade and National Security Actions and Low-Value Shipments” (deadline March 24): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/21/2025-01074/trade-and-national-security-actions-and-low-value-shipmentsView the proposed rule “Entry of Low-Value Shipments”: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/14/2025-00551/entry-of-low-value-shipments

Last month, Lori and Tim kicked off the Unboxing the Trends series, which features short monthly episodes covering the latest shipping and logistics happenings. In this episode, they discuss two major developments in February: new tariffs against key U.S. trading partners and the resignation of USPS’s postmaster general.Tariffs have gone into effectAfter a month-long pause, new tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China went into effect this week. But the question remains: Will the tariffs stick? Based on her research, Lori doesn’t think so. She believes there’s a 60% to 70% chance that the tariffs will eventually be paused again or adjusted. “Most experts believe that these are mostly bargaining techniques. … I think that across the board, most of them are eventually going to ease up. That being said … maybe they won't. So flexibility, agility, that's the name of the game.”USPS Postmaster General DeJoy is stepping downThis is big news if you ship with USPS—Postmaster General DeJoy recently announced that he’s stepping down. Unfortunately, we don’t yet know who will replace him or how the change will affect the Postal Service.Lori shares a few things she’s wondering about: “[The] Ten-Year [Plan]—is that still going to be going? What's going to happen with consolidation? … [DeJoy] came from a logistics background; will we have another commerce, logistics background person? Will we go more of a traditional route? … Are we going to get more adjustments to the service levels and plans that are out there?”We’re officially in wait-and-see modeHopefully, all of our questions about tariffs and the new postmaster general are answered soon; for now, as Tim puts it, the only thing we can do is wait and see.“I think the theme of this episode is let's wait and see. That's true of the tariffs. That's true of the postmaster general news. Let's just wait and see how the dust settles, so to speak.”LinksConnect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ranagan-mba-2717bb125/Visit EasyPost’s website: https://www.easypost.com/

Just a few weeks ago, EasyPost launched a new product: Luma, an AI tool that helps businesses understand their current shipping performance and make smarter (and more cost-effective) decisions.Joe Dieter, head of product marketing at EasyPost, explains how Luma works and what sets it apart from other AI shipping technologies.Luma in a nutshellWhat exactly is Luma? Joe starts with a simple description: “It's the ultimate AI advisor at your fingertips that has been trained on billions of historical shipments.” He goes on to explain, “Your AI is as good as the data that fed it. When you have the data of billions of past historical shipments, that means you have a good AI. A lot of the [other] AI shipping tools out there haven't processed billions of shipments.”What can Luma do?Luma offers three main benefits for shippers:Insights into today. “Luma will give you actionable insights on how you're shipping,” says Joe. It answers questions like “What is the cost per package?” “What is the average time in transit?” and “Why are shipments delayed?” Recommendations for tomorrow. “The second thing Luma does is give you a better version of shipping tomorrow by making really specific recommendations.”Automatic shipping optimization. Finally, “The third thing Luma does is it takes those recommendations … and automatically purchases shipping labels.”Who can use Luma?Anybody using the EasyPost API suite can use Luma, but Joe notes that other EasyPost solutions might be compatible with Luma in the future. “EasyPost offers more than … our APIs. We offer enterprise-grade products … we have SMB products. … And Luma will be accessible through some of those other products over time.”LinksConnect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-dieter/ Learn more about Luma: https://www.easypost.com/luma

With the world of shipping and logistics constantly changing, it can be hard to keep track of every trend. In this episode, Nate Skiver, founder of LPF Spend Management, catches listeners up on the world of parcel shipping in 2025—what’s changing, what will likely stay the same, and what you can do to optimize your parcel management strategy.Carrier changes lead to more complex pricing Right off the bat, Nate points out a major trend that businesses should be aware of: changes to carrier pricing structures. He explains, “FedEx and UPS continue to make pricing more complex. … That continues to be something that shippers have to really stay on top of.” It’s a similar story with USPS. According to Nate, the Postal Service’s network changes have “created some uncertainty with pricing, particularly [for] lightweight packages.” How to make the most of carrier partnershipsWhen choosing carriers, Nate recommends determining your requirements for cost, transit time, and delivery reliability. After analyzing how well your current carriers are meeting those targets, “See where the gaps are. … Look for opportunities to find the right partner or partners to help close those gaps.”He also notes, “To get the best pricing that your volume commands, [negotiations] need to happen early in the year.”The bottom line: prioritize parcelNate’s final advice is simple: “Prioritize parcel.”“Parcel gets the short end of the stick within supply chain. Even though it ends up being … a very, very large expense budget line item, it just doesn't get the priority, perhaps—and it should. … Invest in people and partners.” LinksConnect with Nate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levelplayingfield/ Visit the LPF Spend Management website: https://www.lpfspendmanagement.com/ 

Exciting news! In our new Unboxing Logistics segment, Unboxing the Trends, the EasyPost team will be doing a monthly recap of the most impactful shipping and logistics trends in 2025. During this episode, Lori Boyer and Tim Ranagan discuss January’s port strike resolution, the devastating California wildfires, and President Trump’s brand-new tariffs. What do these events mean for your business? Listen to find out!Port strikes shed light on automation concerns While port strikes were resolved in January, they brought up an important question for businesses and employees alike: how far should we take automation? As Lori points out, this was a primary concern for port workers. “One of the aspects that the laborers were looking for was reassurance that their jobs were not going to be replaced by automation.”While this concern is valid, it’s clear that technological progress isn’t going to halt anytime soon, and Tim recommends that business owners find a balance. “Adopt the technology with your people in mind. … That keeps things moving forward from a relationship standpoint.”California wildfires emphasize the importance of contingency planningDespite a few logistics hiccups, the California wildfires didn’t affect shipping as much as some people feared. Still, as Lori and Tim point out, there’s an important lesson to be learned about responding to natural disasters. Lori puts it simply: “Natural disasters are here and accelerating.” Tim adds, “This is a good opportunity for business owners out there to look at their preparedness. Do they have any contingency plans for their supply chain in the event of a natural disaster?”If tariffs stick around, costs could riseWhen it comes to the new tariffs, we’re still in wait-and-see mode. But while you’re waiting, you can prepare for different possible outcomes. Lori recommends that business owners ask themselves “If these tariffs stick around for a while, what will that mean for me?”One potential impact to be ready for? Higher costs. And if costs do rise, you’ll need a plan of action. “As we have to pass price increases on to our consumers, we're going to have to figure out how to balance that. How much of the burden do you take on? How much of the burden do you pass on?” LinksConnect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/ Connect with Tim on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ranagan-mba-2717bb125/ Visit EasyPost’s website: https://www.easypost.com/ 

Many businesses have perfected their outbound logistics. Products are picked, packed, and shipped with near-perfect accuracy, and customers are delighted. But some merchants haven’t put enough thought into the question posed by Amena Ali, CEO of Optoro: “What happens when all this stuff comes back?”In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, Amena and Lori discuss the challenges of returns—for both customers and sellers—as well as strategies for improving the process. How to improve the returns process for customersAs ecommerce has exploded, consumers have been “trained by the Amazons of the world” to expect box-free, label-free returns. Rather than asking customers to print labels and repackage products, Amena recommends providing convenient drop-off locations where shoppers can return unwanted items without going out of their way.Regaining value from returned itemsIf it takes too long to restock and resell returned items, your business could be losing money. Amena estimates that “for a 100-dollar item, it can cost nearly 30 dollars to do the processing. She continues, “Speed to stock is absolutely critical. The longer it takes a retailer to manage their returns, guess what? You are missing that peak season window for that item, which means you're going to need to mark that down.”Embracing recommerceReturns are closely intertwined with sustainability concerns—we’ve all heard the horror stories of brand-new products ending up in landfills. To reduce waste, Amena recommends embracing recommerce.“A lot of brands and retailers are engaging in those strategies to refurbish [products], and [they] actually have trade-in programs so you can return an item and it goes on to its next home.”LinksConnect with Amena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amenaali/ Visit Optoro’s website: https://www.optoro.com/ Read Optoro's 2024 Returns Unwrapped report: https://4771362.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4771362/Optoros%202024%20Returns%20Unwrapped%20Report.pdf

Going into the new year, your customers, investors, and partners all have one thing in common: sustainability is a big concern. As natural disasters rage across the world, people are increasingly committed to preventing climate change—and they expect your business to do its part by reducing carbon emissions. Tom Raftery, host of the Climate Confident and Sustainable Supply Chain podcasts, joins Lori on this episode of Unboxing Logistics to share some sustainability trends and predictions going into 2025. Trend #1: Electric vehicles (EVs) will become more popularLiving in Spain, Tom has a close-up view of Europe’s environmental regulations. He explains that a variety of factors will combine to make electric vehicles the popular choice in 2025: “All of the EV manufacturers who are selling into Europe are … going to be pushing EVs even more next year to make sure they're not hit with fines. When you look at that, and you look at the fact that the costs of EVs keep dropping year on year, you see that for fleet managers, they're far cheaper to own and operate than traditional diesel vehicles.”Tom concludes, “I think at least here in Europe, but probably even more broadly, the penetration of EVs will ramp up significantly in 2025.”Trend #2: Artificial intelligence (AI) will take center stageWhen it comes to tracking scope 3 emissions, which aren’t directly produced by your business, Tom emphasizes the importance of partnerships, data sharing, and AI tools to organize all the information you collect. “You need to be able to report the emissions coming from your suppliers. And that gets rather tricky because it's third-party information. You've got to talk with them ... [and that involves] taking in enormous amounts of data. What we'll start to see is AI helping organizations to work with that data that's coming in … [to] get the insights … [and] make recommendations.”Trend #3: Sustainable organizations will win over stakeholdersAccording to Tom, making sustainable choices helps businesses attract and retain both customers and employees. “Your customers will … find you and they'll stay with you more easily if you have a good sustainability story to tell. … It's easier to find good employees … because people want to work for an organization that's doing good things.”But the benefits of going green don’t end there. Tom explains that other stakeholders, including banks, insurance companies, and investors, also look more favorably at organizations that incorporate sustainability.The bottom line? “Sustainability has gone from being a nice-to-have to now being a business imperative.”LinksConnect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomraftery/ Follow Tom on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tom.f.raftery Follow Tom on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tomraftery.com Listen to the Climate Confident podcast: https://www.climateconfidentpodcast.com/ Listen to the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast: https://www.sustainablesupplychainpodcast.com/

Last January, Chris Caplice joined us to discuss the top supply chain trends of 2024. This year, he’s back to talk about what the world of shipping and logistics will look like in 2025. As executive director at MIT Center for Transportation Logistics and chief scientist at DAT Freight and Analytics, Chris is deeply immersed in the supply chain industry, and he shares some great insights about trucking, tariffs, and more.Listen to learn what you should expect from the new year—and most importantly, how your business can prepare.Trend #1: The truckload market will enter an inflationary periodChris explains that since the late 1990s, “the truckload market has been on a series of cycles. … Capacity is tight and prices go up. Demand exceeds supply. And then it crashes back down and the opposite happens.”Going into 2025, Chris anticipates that the market will again enter an inflationary period—one where shippers have less leverage. He advises businesses to “fix your roof before it starts raining.”Trend #2: Global conflicts will continue—but supply chains will remain resilientDespite ongoing crises, Chris is optimistic about the global supply chain’s ability to adapt and continue to function. “Global supply chains are so dynamic and flexible. … It's similar when there's a natural disaster, like a hurricane. There's always a sharp shock, but it's usually bounded geographically and temporally because the system recovers. We're very good at self-healing.”Trend #3: Businesses will try to stay ahead of tariffsWhat about tariffs? Here’s what Chris has to say: “Tariffs will probably have a big impact. We'll see how that plays out because you don't know what Trump says and what Trump will do, what'll actually get through the Senate. But if tariffs really do increase dramatically I don't think it'll change demand that much—maybe slightly. It might change how things enter the country … but I don't know how dramatically it'll shift the overall shipping patterns.”In the meantime, many businesses have already begun importing more inventory than usual in an attempt to stay ahead of tariffs. “You hear the stories of especially small shippers bringing in a lot now just to stock up for the year. So we're going to see a lot of heavy inventory costs.”LinksConnect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-caplice-1839/ Visit the DAT Freight and Analytics website: https://www.dat.com/ Visit the MIT Center for Transportation Logistics website: https://ctl.mit.edu/ Roads Rarely Traveled by Woody Richardson: https://www.amazon.com/Roads-Rarely-Traveled-Truckload-Purchasing-ebook/dp/B0CW8Y5QHK/Transportation Adventures of a Food Shipper by Rob Haddock: https://www.amazon.com/Transportation-Adventures-Food-Shipper-Truckload-ebook/dp/B0DJ5XMLKV/

If you’re thinking about diving into ecommerce for the first time, you have a lot to consider. To succeed in the digital world, you may need to rethink inventory management, the customer experience, and more. But as Filipa Almeida, chief customer officer at Onport, points out, you’ll also expand your businesses’ reach exponentially. Why move to ecommerce? Plenty of business owners are content running their brick-and-mortar stores—why should they add digital sales channels (and make their operations a whole lot more complicated)? Filipa’s answer is simple: today’s customers expect an online option. “[Customers’] needs and requirements are evolving, and they expect retailers to evolve with them. They expect their favorite stores to provide the experience of purchasing online. … They expect to have the option of going into the store if they feel like going to the store or just having that same product at the click of a button.”Challenges of going onlineGetting started with ecommerce comes with lots of challenges, including logistical concerns. Businesses need to answer several fulfillment questions: do I want to go omnichannel? Will I ship internationally? And the list goes on.Filipa points out that the customer experience also gets tricky when brick-and-mortar stores go digital. When small business owners see their customers in person every day, they get a good sense of what keeps shoppers happy. In the online realm, it’s harder to tell what’s working and what’s not. “So understanding how they can have that visibility … is something that really weighs on [merchants].”How to choose the right ecommerce platformIf you’re considering getting started with ecommerce, you’ll need to choose the right platform. Filipa’s advice? Don’t be afraid to get in the weeds researching features.She says, “When a retailer is looking at which platform to choose, they need to [ask], what am I looking for? What is critical for my business and for my operations? And then isolate that, try to narrow down those critical requirements … and look at the options available in the market.”LinksConnect with Filipa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/filipa-almeida-0114a029/ Visit Onport’s website: https://onport.com/

Having worked in the logistics industry for 22 years, with 10 of those focused on ecommerce, Steve Syverson has had countless opportunities to hear from small business owners about the challenges and uncertainties they face. In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, he answers some of their most common (and pressing) questions.Should you use staffing agencies during busy times? How can you choose the right warehouse technology? When does using a 3PL make sense? Listen to learn the answers!How to boost staff morale during peak seasonPeak season can be incredibly stressful for business owners and employees alike. The key to smooth sailing, Steve says, is finding ways to ease the load on staff. That could involve anything from pizza parties to flexible work schedules to bringing in temporary workers.“Don't layer more stress on your teammates—they're already stressed. Your job as an owner of a brand or a business is to … figure out ways to mitigate some of that stress. Because at the end of the day, you want them to perform at their highest level.”Common SMB inventory management challengesSteve describes one pitfall ecommerce businesses often fall into: “What I see with SMBs typically is they tend to overbuy or overestimate demand. [This] puts them in a really tough position from an inventory perspective.” While overstocking leads to inefficiencies in the warehouse, Steve points out the bright side: it doesn’t necessarily affect customers. Stockouts, on the other hand, can destroy the purchase experience and cause you to lose customers.The solution? Use technology to forecast demand accurately and gain visibility into stock levels. “Without those insights, without the technology platform … you're setting yourself up for failure because you're just not going to know what you have.”Pros and cons of working with a 3PLIn Steve’s experience, the biggest hurdle brands face when deciding whether or not to work with a 3PL is the “perceived loss of control.” However, once they make the leap, “they never look back, because now it's given them the ability to scale their business. They're focused on going to shows, to conferences, building strategic partnerships, working with new vendors, finding new manufacturers … and marketing their brand.”LinksConnect with Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesyverson/ Visit NFI eCom’s website: https://ecommerce.nfiindustries.com/

Porch piracy isn’t fun for anybody. But that doesn’t stop Lori and Eric from having a little fun discussing it! In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, they react to videos of porch pirates getting caught in the act. At the same time, they bust some of the most common porch piracy and package protection myths, including these three: Myth #1: Once a package is marked as delivered, your job is doneIt’s a myth that every online merchant wants to believe: once a package reaches its destination, it’s not their problem anymore. Sadly, customers don’t see it that way. As Eric points out, when a package is stolen, shoppers “[don’t] blame the thief or the carrier. They hold the merchant responsible.”But look on the bright side! If you do things right, your response to stolen packages can help build long-term customer loyalty. “Once … the consumer starts to use your product, they have a relationship with you. And that relationship will last as long as you're around if you continue to do a good job.”Myth #2: Doorbell cameras are effective deterrents against porch piracy Eric says that while doorbell cameras are useful for providing evidence of porch piracy, they’re not a very effective deterrent. The thousands of porch piracy videos online are proof that thieves have thought up plenty of clever (and not-so-clever) ways to conceal their identities when snatching packages. Myth #3: Package protection is only needed during the holidaysSome businesses believe they only need to offer package protection during high-volume periods like the holidays, when porch piracy is most common. Eric’s response? “Peak season, holiday season, fourth quarter—that's when the most volume is being shipped. … But [porch piracy] is a year-round opportunistic crime that is way out of control and isn't letting up at all.”LinksConnect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-thorson-norton/ Visit Norton Shopping Guarantee’s website: https://norton.buysafe.com/ 

What comes to mind when you hear the term AI? For some, artificial intelligence is an exciting step forward, bringing possibilities of error reduction and cost savings. For others, it’s little more than a marketing buzzword. Henrik Bergsager and Kushal Pillay of Powerhouse AI are in the first camp. In this episode, they discuss how AI tools can significantly improve warehouse operations for small and medium-sized businesses.Uses of AI in the warehouseAI can be used to improve virtually any warehouse task, including inventory management, demand forecasting, and storage optimization. Henrik notes that businesses should approach problems one at a time, not all at once. “By focusing on these smaller cogs in the warehouse, you don't need massive amounts of investments to get up and running.”Getting started with AIGetting started with a new tool is always daunting. For a smooth transition, Henrik says, “You have to get the rest of your employees on board. … You need to get all the warehouse workers understanding why we're doing this, [what are] the benefits of introducing new technology.”Kushal adds that organizations should focus on the KPIs they’re trying to improve with the technology. He adds that it’s important to keep expectations realistic—don’t expect the tool to eliminate human labor. “[At the] end of the day, you're not buying a robot. You're buying a certain software, which does a job for you.”How much technical expertise do you need?Fortunately, you don’t have to be a technology genius to take advantage of AI warehouse solutions. As Kushal puts it, “Most of the tools out there [don’t] need you to know the deep details of how they work. … The only thing we need is what is the input, and what do you expect as the output? The rest of the work is done with[in] the system.”LinksConnect with Henrik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrikbergsager/ Connect with Kushal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushalpillay/ Visit Powerhouse AI’s website: https://www.pwh.ai/

The holiday season is often the most profitable time of year for small businesses, but it comes with many challenges. How can small ecommerce businesses create a great purchase experience for customers? What logistical hurdles will they face? In this episode, Maxwell Bonnie, co-founder of Saltbox, answers these questions and shares tips to help SMBs successfully navigate the upcoming peak season.What’s different about peak season 2024?Peak season is always a busy time, but this year’s peak has the potential to be even more hectic than usual. That’s because there are only 17 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas instead of the usual 20 or 21, leaving businesses scrambling to ship more packages than ever in a short amount of time.Maxwell also predicts that carrier capacity will be a concern. Due to changes related to USPS’s 10-year plan, “Brands are going to be shifting a little bit away from the Post Office and trying to go directly to FedEx and UPS to mitigate risk. … That means FedEx and UPS are going to be busier than they've ever been.”Advice for small businesses during peakWhat can your business do to keep things running smoothly during peak season? First, Maxwell suggests diversifying your carrier mix by using a combination of large, emerging, and regional partners to transport packages.He also advises businesses to “[Ship] earlier. Having earlier cutoff times than normal with your holiday orders … build[s] in some buffer so that your customer gets the package on time.”The importance of having a planThe bottom line? “You need some sort of plan, but know that it's not going to go to plan—and that is completely okay. But take the time to put something on paper so that you are prepared for this [peak] season.”LinksConnect with Maxwell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxwellbonnie/ Visit Saltbox’s website: https://www.saltbox.com/

In the words of John Golden, vice president of sales at ParcelShield, “Shipping medication is a risky business, but it's also critical to hundreds of millions of those that are depending on pharmacy services.” In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, John and Lori discuss the risks pharmaceutical shipments face and how the right technology can protect healthcare businesses and patients alike.Challenges and risks when shipping pharmaceuticalsParcelShield’s motto? It’s not just a package, it’s a patient. Because medical supplies and prescription drugs make such a huge difference in people’s lives, pharmacies must carefully consider logistical risks when shipping them. John says, “Many pharmaceuticals are time-sensitive. They're temperature-sensitive. They're highly regulated. … They're expensive. They're also life-sustaining. … There's risks out there like flight delays, extreme weather, traffic, or carrier dependability.”The importance of proof of deliveryProof of delivery is always useful for giving customers peace of mind, but when shipping expensive pharmaceuticals, it’s non-negotiable. John explains that if the government or a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) pays for a medication, they want to make sure the package arrives.Without proof of delivery, “governments and PBMs [could] claw back the money that they paid you for those medications.”Using technology to decrease riskTechnology helps ensure the safe, timely delivery of pharmaceutical shipments by predicting when and where packages could get delayed. According to John, these systems “leverage things like predictive analytics and machine learning … [to look] for advanced warnings.”He goes on, “[The risk] could be wildfires. It could be hurricanes. It could be Mardi Gras. It could be the Super Bowl. But technology exists to be able to provide what we would call an early warning system to help to avoid shipping medications into a high-risk situation.”LinksConnect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvgolden/ Visit ParcelShield’s website: https://www.parcelshield.com/

In today's episode, host Lori Boyer is joined by Jonathan Salama, CEO and co-founder of Transfix. With a unique background in tech and data science, Jonathan sheds light on how data is revolutionizing the logistics industry. Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and logistics, unraveling the complexities and uncovering the opportunities.Leveraging data for efficiencyJonathan emphasizes the importance of leveraging data to drive decisions and automate repetitive actions within the logistics space. Using data science, companies can optimize their operations, enhance their efficiency, and ultimately, improve the customer experience.Understanding the role of brokeragesJonathan explains the critical role brokerages play in matching shippers with carriers, describing them as a marketplace driven by demand. He states, “In my opinion, every company should be using brokers.” This highlights the value that brokers provide by navigating the complexities of logistics, ultimately ensuring that shipments are executed efficiently and at competitive rates. Navigating the future with emerging technologiesThe discussion shifts towards the future of logistics, focusing on emerging technologies like automated trucks and AI. Jonathan expresses his excitement, saying, “I am a lot more excited about automated trucks... I think that is going to revolutionize our space.” He highlights how these advancements will reshape the industry, making it more efficient and responsive to the ever-changing market demands.As the logistics industry continues to evolve, embracing data-driven solutions and innovative technologies will be key to staying competitive. Jonathan’s insights remind us that while the journey may be complex, leveraging the right tools and partnerships can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness. For more insights, connect with Jonathan and explore what Transfix has to offer. Join us next time for more engaging discussions in the world of logistics!Connect with John on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathansalamaVisit the Transfix website: https://transfix.io/

In the latest episode of Unboxing Logistics, Lori Boyer engages with the insightful team from Better Trucks, including Josh Fredman, Mike Koleno, and Tom Butt from EasyPost. Recorded live at Parcel Forum 2024, this discussion dives deep into the transformative power of analytics in enhancing customer experiences within the logistics sector. The experts share actionable insights on how data can streamline operations, meet evolving customer expectations, and foster effective partnerships:Holistic data centralizationTo truly understand and improve customer experience, businesses must centralize their data. This approach allows shippers to analyze their operations from a comprehensive perspective, identifying opportunities for enhancement across the entire package journey.Transparent communicationKeeping customers informed throughout the shipping process is vital. By providing timely updates on package status, shippers can alleviate anxiety and foster trust, ultimately leading to greater customer satisfaction.Collaboration for growthStrong partnerships between shippers and carriers are crucial for leveraging shared data and insights. Engaging with logistics partners can unveil new opportunities for efficiency and improved service delivery, benefiting all parties involved.In summary, this episode highlights the importance of using analytics not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a means to elevate customer experiences and drive growth in the logistics industry. Tune in to gain valuable insights that can help you optimize your operations and enhance your service offerings.LinksConnect with Josh on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josh-fredmanConnect with Mike on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mike-kolenoVisit the Better Trucks website: https://www.bettertrucks.com/ Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tombutt

In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, Lori Boyer from EasyPost welcomes Julian Van Erlach, Senior Vice President at FabFitFun. They dive into the complexities of scaling logistics while maintaining a superior customer experience. With a unique model that generates four peak seasons annually, FabFitFun’s operations are a masterclass in efficiency, cost management, and customer satisfaction. Julian shares his insights on how FabFitFun has scaled its logistics, optimized processes, and maintained excellent customer satisfaction—even during rapid growth.Align operations with company growth"What is it that we're going to solve for or scale for?" Julian emphasizes the importance of staying closely aligned with merchandising and marketing to ensure that logistics can anticipate and meet the company's growth. FabFitFun's ability to proactively analyze purchase orders, anticipate challenges, and prepare operationally has allowed them to efficiently handle millions of customized orders.Overcome choke points with smart solutions Julian identifies the key areas that create choke points in logistics, from shipping costs to scaling labor. By using cartonization software like MagicLogic to optimize the size of every box, FabFitFun has saved "many, many millions of dollars per quarter" while minimizing wasted space. Additionally, FabFitFun’s ability to scale labor efficiently, hiring temps to meet seasonal demand, has been crucial to their success.Prioritize customer experience and operational efficiencyOne of Julian's standout insights is how FabFitFun has balanced cost-saving measures with enhancing the customer experience. "There is no trade-off," he explains, citing zone skipping as an example where they simultaneously save money and reduce shipping time. By prioritizing recycled materials, clear communication, and precise cartonization, they ensure that customers receive their orders on time and in great condition, all while reducing costs.FabFitFun’s success lies in its ability to anticipate challenges, optimize operations, and prioritize customer satisfaction without compromising efficiency. Whether through advanced technology, proactive labor management, or innovative shipping strategies, the company has created a logistics model that supports rapid scaling while maintaining an exceptional customer experience. As Julian puts it, “Being attuned to company strategy and world events” is essential for any company looking to scale successfully.LinksConnect with Julian on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/inventorymgmtandlogisticsVisit the FabFitFun website: www.fabfitfun.com/ Email Julian: [email protected]