Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

Why Yellow's trucking terminals are attracting billion dollar bids

Aug 24, 2023
As Yellow is sold for parts in bankruptcy court, one group of assets is getting all the attention: Its terminals.
Joe Raedle / Getty Images

FedEx meets lowered demand for shipping with cost-cutting and layoffs

Jun 21, 2023
As consumers favor services over buying goods, FedEx and other shippers are feeling the pinch.
FedEx is spending more on wages and equipment while people are choosing experiences over goods.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

West Coast ports lost market share. Will they get it back?

May 8, 2023
Stung by supply chain breakdowns and worried about labor unrest, many shippers have rerouted goods to the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Congested supply chains may finally be easing as inventories fall

Dec 6, 2022
Retailers have managed to offload excess inventory, and global shipping is returning to pre-pandemic normal.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

How twin sisters launched an artisanal Cuban cigar shop in Miami

Oct 25, 2022
"Sharing a room with another alpha female is not easy. [...] We know how to work with each other at this point," says Yvette Rodriguez.
Yvette and Yvonne Rodriguez, owners of Tres Lindas Cubanas Cigars.
Courtesy Tres Lindas Cubanas Cigars

It costs how much to ship that? How one commission is tackling inflation at the ports

Sep 20, 2022
A new law has given the Federal Maritime Commission the teeth it needs to tackle high shipping fees and congestion at the ports.
President Joe Biden believes taming shipping freight costs is an integral part of bringing inflation back down. He has empowered the Federal Maritime Commission to tackle it at the ports.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

These small businesses still feel supply chain pressures, even if data says they're easing

Jul 19, 2022
Shipping costs, wait times and sourcing materials are still a big problem for business owners in South Carolina and Calif.
Some businesses have had to adjust shipping strategies — like opting to ship by rail — to circumvent delays at ports.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

As inflation rises, this Michigan business owner is taking a chance on a second store

Jul 6, 2022
"I'm taking a very, very big risk opening another retail location," says Annie Lang Hartman, owner of the Michigan retail brand Wild Lettie.
Annie Lang Hartman has opened a second retail store, above, in Suttons Bay, Michigan.
Courtesy Annie Lang Hartman

Walmart to charge transportation fees to some suppliers

Jul 6, 2022
The retailer says it's part of an effort to keep prices low for customers. That can be hard to do in the long term.
The fees Walmart charges will eventually be passed on to consumers.
George Frey/Getty Images

Why do two major West Coast ports rate last on a new ranking of facilities worldwide?

May 25, 2022
Experts point to inefficiency, lack of warehouse space and outdated technology.
U.S. ports aren't stacking up globally.
Patrick T Fallon/ AFP via Getty Images