Bringoz Industry Weekly 10/26

etailers are worried about stock shortages this holiday season. Target is piloting last-mile delivery using electric vehicles through a partnership with Frontdoor Collective, Circuit EV Solutions, and Chevrolet.  Amazon is partnering with the U.S. Postal Service for doorstep returns. Read about these stories and more in our weekly industry news roundup.

A new study from Accenture found that 70% of U.S. retail executives are worried that potential supply chain shocks could impact their ability to deliver against their holiday trading plan. Delivering on-time orders is a concern for 70% of those surveyed and 64% are worried they won’t have enough stock this holiday season. Another pressure is meeting expectations to deliver a seamless and consistent experience across all touchpoints. Read more.

The Chevrolet BrightDrop is expanding its market presence with a new last-mile delivery pilot. The Frontdoor Collective and Circuit EV Solutions have announced a new partnership, in collaboration with the vehicle manufacturer and Target, to deploy 50 new BrightDrop battery-electric delivery vans in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Circuit EV Solutions says it’s building and managing its own dedicated charging depots to support a reliable charging network and fleet operations. Read more.

Amazon recently began offering doorstep pickup from the U.S. Postal Service for select customer returns. Returns services could become an important piece of the USPS’ business as it looks to turn around its ailing financial results. The additional returns option comes as Amazon gears up for the holiday season. Amazon still has a variety of returns options beyond USPS pickup, including drop-off returns options at Staples, Whole Foods and The UPS Store locations. Read more.

The rise in online shopping during the holidays puts considerable pressure on retailers, supply chains and last-mile delivery providers. Amid rising customer expectations and high package volumes, here’s a look at how last-mile delivery has emerged as a decisive factor in enhancing customer satisfaction during the holidays. Read more.

For many retailers, the post-holiday period can be equally as challenging as the peak holiday season. Returns spike, customer expectations remain high, and operational pressure intensifies. Here’s a look at how prioritizing reverse logistics can benefit retailers during the post-holiday returns surge and after it subsides. Read more.

Logistics costs can make up a significant portion of a B2B company’s expenses. Supply chain disruptions and evolving customer expectations make it essential for businesses to find innovative ways to cut costs without compromising service quality. Here’s a look at some strategies B2B companies can use to reduce logistics costs while improving delivery speed and efficiency. Read more.