Partnering with a 3PL to Manage Retail Chargebacks by Dan Black Chargebacks are a continuous and taxing revenue drain for retailers. While some chargebacks may only cost a few cents, others can cost retailers up to three times the amount of the original transaction. This creates a painful situation for merchants who already operate under thin profit margins. Even worse, chargebacks can erode relationships with trusted payment processors and lead to hours of wasted time and labor.  While some retailers consider chargebacks to be another harsh reality of running a business, others ..read more

Understanding the Increasing Costs of Warehousing by Megan Smith Inflation is a hot-button topic right now. All around the county, you see prices steadily rising. You see it at the grocery store. You see it at the big box retailers. And you definitely see it at the gas pump. While these universally rising costs might seem unprecedented given the polarized climate of the times we're living in; when it comes to the logistics industry, data shows that costs have been steadily rising over the years. This rings especially true where costs of warehousing are concerned.  Yearly costs adjustment ..read more

A Crash Course in Hemp and CBD Product Fulfillment by Megan Smith Over the last few years, marijuana-adjacent products, all derived from the hemp plant, have made the transition from counterculture staples found in the more obscure corners of the intent into a thriving national industry. This year, CBD and other hemp-related products have matured into an approximately 3.5 billion dollar industry. The meteoric rise of these products is expected to continue, increasing to a staggering 13.4 billion dollars by the end of the decade. When it comes to CBD and hemp, most of the information ..read more

Tips For Finding and Retaining Top Talent During the Great Resignation by Brian Grady Finding and retaining top talent is a balancing act even under the best of circumstances. Most logistics professionals would agree, however, that 2021 has been full of twists and turns. Things are far from ideal from the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the widespread disruptions currently plaguing the global supply chain. There's a new challenge on the horizon, however. This past July, a record-breaking 4 million Americans up and quit their jobs. In fact, resignations amongst mid-career ..read more

Nearshoring and Reshoring: Getting Your Products Closer to Your Customers by Sean Mueller It takes a village to raise a child. With the modern complexity of the global supply chain, even the most self-sufficient companies must surround themselves with a team of well-qualified industry partners in order to thrive given the current state of global logistics.  With supply chain interruptions coming from a virtual laundry list of sources, the traditionally effective model of trans-Pacific shipping has essentially run aground. The key to improving your own supply chain resiliency is enlisting ..read more

The China Equation: How One Country's Supply Chain Affects All Others by Sean Mueller Crowded ports, pandemics, and labor shortages, oh my!  It's no secret that global supply chains are still reeling from a perfect storm of unforeseen issues and systemic failures. As consumers, we've all felt the effects. When the global supply chain suffers, even the inventory at America's largest retail stores look like Swiss cheese. There's not just one party at fault here; issues with the global supply chain are everyone's problem. And yet, one manufacturing force majeure has an increased stake in th ..read more

Symbia Logistics' Guide to 2021 Holiday Shipping Surcharges by Sean Mueller It hardly seems possible, but the 2021 holiday shipping season is already upon us. In a year already filled with supply chain complexity —and fierce challenges— 2021 is shaping up to be a year for the record books. During the 2020 season, USPS saw a 25% increase in their overall package volume, netting a $2.1 billion dollar boost to their yearly revenue. With shipping delays, supply chain headaches, and an ongoing pandemic, industry experts are calling for more of the same from now until the end of the seaso ..read more

Tips and Tricks for a Positive FBA Amazon Prep Experience by Dan Black Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is an incredible tool for small to medium-sized merchants and e-commerce vendors. Through FBA, anyone from a local mom-and-pop boutique to an online startup can augment their sales footprint. With more than 175 warehousing locations, Amazon FBA allows merchants to offer their products to a much wider range of consumers while doing the logistical heavy lifting in the process.   Countless businesses have leveraged the FBA program to their success. In fact, 91% of the platform's total sel ..read more

Inflation, Pandemics, and the Global Supply Chain: a Historical Perspective by Brian Grady The law of supply and demand drives the economy, and global supply chains are the mechanism that regulates between the two. But what happens when the mechanism becomes unbalanced and breaks down? What is the most likely outcome when surging demand meets struggling infrastructure?  We are 17 months into the largest healthcare crisis in generations, coupled with one of the most pronounced periods of social upheaval in modern history. The price of commodities has continued to increase worldwide. For e ..read more

Five Things to Consider When Selecting a FBA Amazon Prep Partner by Sean Mueller In the world of professional logistics, Amazon is a force to be reckoned with. Their supply chain spans the globe, and their fulfillment services encompass every type of vendor and sales channel imaginable. In particular, their Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service targets entrepreneurs and small business owners. It is a model where Amazon assumes responsibility for all the heavy lifting (for a fee) so that smaller, regional retailers can grow their brand and extend their company's footprint.  In fact, FBA is s ..read more