UKUS Craft Beer Trade Declines Amid Rising Costs

UKUS Craft Beer Trade Declines Amid Rising Costs

Close Brothers Brewery Rentals and MicroStar Logistics have partnered to launch beerQX, a transatlantic cold chain transportation service. This provides a steel keg round-trip solution for craft beer, addressing issues with exploding plastic kegs and the difficulty of steel keg recovery. beerQX ensures beer quality, reduces costs, and facilitates the globalization of craft beer by offering a reliable and temperature-controlled transport option across the Atlantic. It aims to streamline logistics and maintain the integrity of the product throughout its journey.

01/29/2026 Logistics
Read More
Businesses Adopt Saas for Enhanced Supply Chain Visibility

Businesses Adopt Saas for Enhanced Supply Chain Visibility

TAKE's One SCM cloud solution empowers businesses to enhance supply chain transparency. By integrating data, automating processes, enabling real-time monitoring, and leveraging a SaaS model, it helps companies break down information silos, improve decision-making efficiency, and reduce operational costs, ultimately driving business growth. Transparency is a key trend in the future of supply chain management. This solution provides a comprehensive approach to achieving visibility and control across the entire supply chain, enabling proactive management and improved responsiveness to market changes.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Targets BOPIS Strategy Boosts Growth Before Holidays

Targets BOPIS Strategy Boosts Growth Before Holidays

Target is accelerating its omnichannel strategy, expanding its BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In Store) service to over a thousand stores, aiming to optimize inventory and reduce costs. While Q3 online sales increased by 21%, the company still faces challenges. This expansion of BOPIS demonstrates a commitment to providing customers with convenient and flexible shopping options, leveraging data to improve efficiency and meet evolving consumer demands. The focus on omnichannel solutions is crucial for Target's continued success in a competitive retail landscape.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
3PL Providers Expand As Shipping Capacity Tightens

3PL Providers Expand As Shipping Capacity Tightens

Amidst a tight capacity market, Third-Party Logistics (3PL) companies are experiencing a surge in profits driven by technological innovation, strategic positioning, and growing market demand. The booming e-commerce sector, persistent capacity shortages, and the complexities of global trade are key factors fueling this growth. Looking ahead, digital transformation, personalized services, and sustainable development will be crucial trends shaping the 3PL industry. These factors combined are creating a favorable environment for 3PL providers to thrive and expand their services.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Retailers Expand Instore Returns to Compete in Ecommerce

Retailers Expand Instore Returns to Compete in Ecommerce

Research from Forrester Research and Happy Returns indicates that convenient in-person returns are becoming a key competitive differentiator for e-commerce. Consumers value fast, free, and easy returns. E-commerce businesses should optimize their reverse logistics systems by offering multiple return options, simplifying the process, and increasing transparency. Data analysis is also crucial to improve user experience and enhance customer loyalty. Prioritizing a seamless return process positively impacts customer satisfaction and ultimately drives repeat business in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
US Retail Sales Surge in September Amid Hurricane Holiday Demand

US Retail Sales Surge in September Amid Hurricane Holiday Demand

September retail sales data showed strong performance, with both the U.S. Department of Commerce and NRF reporting year-over-year growth. While hurricanes had some impact, increased sales of building materials offset some of the negative effects. The NRF forecasts continued growth in holiday retail sales, driven by omnichannel integration and consumer confidence. The retail industry is undergoing a transformation, requiring a focus on personalization, convenience, and engagement. Retailers need to adapt to evolving consumer expectations to thrive in the current market.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Long Beach Port Extends Free Storage to Reduce Congestion

Long Beach Port Extends Free Storage to Reduce Congestion

The Port of Long Beach extended the free demurrage period for import containers to 7 days, aiming to alleviate port congestion caused by the holiday shopping season and larger vessels. This measure is expected to reduce detention charges for shippers, but chassis shortages remain a challenge. Port congestion impacts the supply chain, increasing costs and delaying deliveries. The Port of Long Beach is actively exploring solutions, such as upgrading the PierPass program, to improve operational efficiency and address global trade challenges.

01/29/2026 Logistics
Read More
Port of Oakland Targets Asian Market with Expansion Plan

Port of Oakland Targets Asian Market with Expansion Plan

Port of Auckland is actively addressing the challenges posed by larger vessels through optimized operational efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, and expanded cold chain logistics capabilities. It aims to become an ideal gateway connecting to the Asian market. The Auckland Global Project, a collaboration between the port and the city of Auckland, will provide advanced intermodal facilities, further enhancing the port's competitiveness and helping customers seize market opportunities. This strategic development positions Auckland as a key player in facilitating trade flows and supporting economic growth.

01/29/2026 Port Encyclopedia
Read More
North American Intermodal Decline Eases As Domestic Demand Holds Steady

North American Intermodal Decline Eases As Domestic Demand Holds Steady

The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) reported a 4.3% year-over-year decrease in North American intermodal volume in Q2, although the decline narrowed. Domestic container demand remained robust, increasing by 4.0%, while international standard containers faced challenges such as port congestion and COVID-19 lockdowns, resulting in an 8.4% decrease. The peak season impact is expected to diminish, leading to a more stable trend for the year. Inflation and high oil prices may present opportunities for intermodal transportation.

01/29/2026 Logistics
Read More
US Rail Freight Decline Reflects Trade Logistics Risks

US Rail Freight Decline Reflects Trade Logistics Risks

US rail freight and intermodal volumes declined year-over-year in January, influenced by manufacturing weakness and trade uncertainty. While growth in some commodity categories offered hope, significant declines in coal and grain shipments were the primary drivers. Businesses should diversify supply chains, optimize inventory, strengthen risk assessments, embrace digitalization, and monitor policy changes to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. The decrease highlights the importance of proactive risk management and strategic adaptation in the face of evolving economic conditions and global trade dynamics.

01/29/2026 Logistics
Read More