Topic
last mile
E-Commerce & Marketplaces Vinted taps DHL's Germany collection points to expand second-hand marketplace
Vinted has partnered with DHL to integrate Germany's largest parcel network, including Packstations, Poststations, and DeinFach lockers, into its platform. The partnership aims to make peer-to-peer second-hand transactions as convenient as retail e-commerce, with a focus on locker-to-locker shipping. DHL plans to expand its automated network to over 30,000 locations by 2030.
Logistics UPS shift away from Amazon shows bigger payoff
UPS completed its phase-out of low-margin Amazon business in Q2, leading to higher revenue per piece and profit despite lower volume. The company closed 45 facilities and automated 68.5% of U.S. volume, driving cost savings. Management raised full-year guidance.
Logistics Veo Launches Electric Trike for Shared Micromobility in Denver, Eyes US Expansion
Veo has announced the Rover, a sit-down electric trike for shared micromobility, in Denver. The vehicle features a 100-pound cargo basket, 45-mile range, and self-balancing design. Veo plans to expand the trike to cities across the US, potentially impacting last-mile delivery and urban mobility.
Logistics DHL eCommerce to Acquire Baltic Parcel Carrier Venipak, Strengthening European Last-Mile Network
DHL eCommerce has agreed to acquire Lithuania-based Venipak Group, expanding its last-mile delivery network in the Baltic states. The deal adds Venipak's 800 parcel lockers, 25 logistics terminals, and capabilities in B2B and B2C delivery to DHL's global express network. It reflects ongoing consolidation in European last-mile delivery.
Logistics Flipkart to Enter Food Delivery Space Within a Month, CEO Confirms
Walmart-owned Flipkart plans to launch food delivery services within 30 days, starting with a pilot in Bangalore. The company is considering a separate app and ONDC integration. CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy said the move is part of expanding the e-commerce platform's customer use cases, and noted that Gen Z customers are a key focus.
Logistics Eight Roads, Flipkart, IMM India Fund to Sell Up to 9% Stake in Shadowfax via Block Deals
Eight Roads Investments, Flipkart, and IMM India Fund are collectively selling up to a 9% stake in Shadowfax through block deals worth approximately $108 million (Rs 1,048 crore). The floor price is set at Rs 197 per share, a 9.8% discount to the closing price. The sale coincides with the expiry of the six-month lock-in period for pre-IPO investors.
Logistics Postal Operators Struggle to Break Even as Parcel Growth Fails to Offset Rising Costs
Preliminary results from the International Post Corp (IPC) show postal operators achieved only 1.4% average revenue growth in 2025, with parcels driving gains while letter mail continued its global decline. Profitability remains under pressure from high labor and fuel costs, with margins narrow or negative despite rising parcel volumes. Norway's Posten Bring reported a 19.1% drop in adjusted operating profit for the first half of 2026 even as parcel volumes grew, highlighting the sector's financial squeeze.
Missing Ebike Delivery Sparks 'Chatbot Hell': How AI Is Failing Last-Mile Customer Service
When an ebike went missing in transit from FedEx, the author spent months trapped in automated customer service loops with chatbots. The incident highlights a growing industry trend: corporations using AI to reduce human agent headcount, often creating 'sludge' that frustrates customers. For logistics operators, the story underscores the risk of alienating shippers and consignees when last-mile resolution fails.
Logistics Fuel Surcharges Push Parcel Shipping Rates Near Record High in Q3 2026
The TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index projects express parcel rates to reach a record 15.8% above baseline in Q3 2026, driven by a 65.4% year-over-year surge in fuel surcharges. Ground parcel rates are on track for the highest cost per package on record. Carriers like FedEx and UPS are tightening discounts, and shippers are increasingly turning to alternative last-mile carriers such as OnTrac and Veho, which doubled volumes and now hold 7.2% market share.
Logistics Indian Post Revenue Surges 22.2% in Q1 FY2026-27, Driven by Parcel Modernization and E-Commerce Partnerships
India Post reported a 22.2% year-over-year revenue increase to ₹4,008 crore in Q1 FY2026-27, marking the first double-digit growth in its history. The growth is attributed to parcel modernization and partnerships with major e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Shiprocket, signaling enhanced last-mile delivery capacity for logistics operators.
Logistics Texas $13M Walmart Settlement Over Spark Driver Pay Alters Last-Mile Contractor Transparency
Walmart agreed to pay over $13.3 million and overhaul compensation communications for its Spark Driver last-mile delivery platform in Texas, resolving allegations of misleading drivers about tips, base pay, and incentives. The settlement, announced by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, includes $6.69 million in restitution and a 10-year earnings verification program. Shippers using last-mile platforms should note increased regulatory scrutiny on independent contractor pay.
Logistics Descartes Acquires Last-Mile Tech Provider Drivin for $30 Million
Descartes Systems Group has acquired Latin American last-mile logistics technology provider Drivin for $30 million. Drivin's platform uses machine learning and agentic AI for routing, dispatching, and real-time visibility, and has been widely adopted in high-density urban areas. The deal expands Descartes' fleet performance management offering and its presence in Latin America.
Logistics Flipkart and Amazon Expand Fulfilment Centres to Compete in Quick Commerce
Flipkart and Amazon are rapidly expanding micro fulfilment centres to catch up in quick commerce. Flipkart now operates 1,000 centres with orders growing fivefold, while Amazon invests millions in urban fulfilment centres. Both leverage large customer bases to drive adoption.
Logistics UPS Explores Outsourcing UK Parcel Delivery to Third-Party Couriers, Cutting 3,000+ Jobs
United Parcel Service plans to switch from employee delivery drivers in the United Kingdom to using independent contractors by June 2027, resulting in the elimination of more than 3,000 jobs at 51 sites, according to Unite, the country's largest trade union. The move comes amid a parallel dispute in the US with the Teamsters union over UPS's subsidiary Roadie using gig workers. Unite is considering a strike over the proposed changes.
Logistics UPS Meets Deadline for Retrofitting 2,000 Delivery Vans with AC, Teamsters Say
UPS met its obligation to retrofit 2,000 parcel delivery vans with air conditioning in the hottest parts of the U.S. by June 1, Teamsters union President Sean O'Brien announced. The company also launched a pilot to cool cargo compartments. The progress resulted from enforcement of the 2023 national contract, which includes a standing arbitrator for grievances.
Logistics Box Truck Drivers: The Real Safety Risk in US Freight
An analysis of FMCSA roadside inspection data reveals that box truck drivers are nearly twice as likely to be placed out of service as tractor-trailer drivers, with driver fitness and substance abuse violations far higher. The root cause is a regulatory loophole: trucks under 26,001 lbs require no CDL and no drug testing, leading to a less-qualified driver pool even as equipment itself is as safe as big rigs.
Logistics Canada Post to End Door-to-Door Delivery for 620K Addresses by 2027
Canada Post announced it will convert 485,000 additional addresses in 37 communities to community mailboxes in 2027, plus 136,000 previously planned, ending door-to-door delivery for a total of 620,000 addresses. The move is part of a restructuring after a record $1.15 billion loss in 2025 and eight consecutive years of losses. Shippers will need to adapt to centralized delivery for a growing share of Canadian addresses.
Logistics He Walked Away From Barber Chair for Box Truck: Lessons for Logistics Operators
Victor Newton left a 28-year barber career to become a box truck owner-operator after a YouTube headline claimed $20,000 in a month. Five years in, he discusses the 90% failure rate, the difference between truck ownership and business ownership, and niche strategies like partial loads that can change the math for small carriers.
Logistics Amazon Wins NLRB Case on Joint Employer Status with DSPs
Amazon has secured a victory in a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) case regarding its status as a joint employer with Direct Service Providers (DSPs). This decision, approved by an NLRB administrative law judge, prevents a precedent-setting ruling that could have affected Amazon's logistics operations.
Logistics Industrial Real Estate Tightens, Favoring Last-Mile Operators
The industrial real estate market is tightening, benefiting last-mile owner-operators as demand surges and construction slows. Link Logistics reports high leasing volumes, indicating a favorable market shift.
Logistics Amazon Expands E-Cargo Bike Trials in Washington, D.C.
Amazon is piloting e-cargo bikes in Washington, D.C. to reduce emissions and congestion. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance urban delivery efficiency using micromobility solutions.
Logistics DHL Partners with USPS for $10B Last-Mile Delivery
DHL eCommerce has secured a $10 billion contract with the U.S. Postal Service for last-mile parcel delivery. This strategic move aims to leverage USPS's extensive delivery network, enhancing efficiency and reach for DHL's e-commerce services.