Amazon robot arm
A team from the Netherlands has won $50,000 in Amazon’s most recent warehouse robot competition.
The winning device is a robotic arm which uses a suction cup, two grabbing fingers and a depth-sensing camera. It was designed by a team from Delft Robotics Institute to work at warehouse picking tasks.
Three more toYou
Three more retailers have signed up to use Asda’s toYou delivery network. They are Ideal Shopping, M&Co, and Yours Clothing. MetaPack has also added toYou to its platform, opening it up to a greater potential audience of users.
The toYou service allows other retailers to access the Asda network of around 600 stores, so they can be used by consumers to return or collect orders. When it launched last year, it was predicted it would eventually lead to an additional 40m shopper visits to Asda stores.
Missguided deal for Doddle
Missguided, the rapid fashion retailer, has expanded its range of delivery and returns option, including next day delivery and free returns with Doddle, the purple parcel people.
Missguided customers will be able to collect their orders next day from over 50 Doddle stores at train stations, universities and shopping centres across the UK. Part of the changes include making returns to Missguided free, previously £1.95.
Brett Young, Missguided operations director said: “We continue to receive great feedback from our customers, and now we’re giving them even more choice with our new delivery and returns options. This, together with partners such as Doddle ensuring a really high level of service to match, results in an overall excellent customer experience.”
Tim Robinson, Doddle CEO said: “The addition of these services really strengthens our relationship with Missguided. Our locations complement the habits of Missguided’s urban customers, particularly in universities and we’re delighted to be offering the full range of Doddle collection and return services to Missguided customers.”
CollectPlus rolls out in-store label printing
CollectPlus has launched the first ever nationwide in-store shipment label printing service, a pioneering enhancement to its ‘Send’ service. This customer-focused enhancement simplifies the process of sending a package, particularly for people who do not have access to a home or office printer, by allowing labels bought on its website to be printed in stores across the CollectPlus network.
Mark Lawrence, operations & service director at CollectPlus, said: “We have no doubt that store owners across our network will see the immediate benefit of offering this extension to our service as the added convenience will appeal to both existing and new customers, helping provide additional footfall alongside the commission earned.”
XPO Logistics backs Tour de France
XPO Logistics, formerly operating in Europe as Norbert Dentressangle, will once again serve as official carrier of the Tour de France, working alongside event organizer Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) to transport support equipment for all 21 stages of the world’s most famous cycle race. The 103rd edition of the Tour de France will take place from 2 to 24 July 2016.
For the 36th consecutive year, XPO Logistics specialist event teams have designed a complete solution that meets the Tour’s logistical and security requirements. During the three weeks of the competition, XPO Logistics will provide transport for all equipment required at the departure and arrival villages; loading and unloading at each stage; intermediate check points; and items for the Caravan parade and the Tour de France shop. The company has dedicated 53 drivers and 44 jumbo trucks to this year’s Tour, with extensive support personnel behind the scenes.
