FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight, subsidiaries of FedEx Corp., will increase shipping rates effective Jan. 2, 2017.

The last three months have been some of the worst the multipurpose and project carrier sector has endured in years. The breakbulk and project cargo sector remain weak, with little suggestion that volumes will improve significantly until the end of 2017, according to a recent report published by global shipping consultancy Drewry.

Many retailers struggle with balancing their brick-and-mortar business with e-commerce, but warehouse automation and Big Data are there to help.

The recent hack of the Democratic National Committee is the latest in a string of high-profile data breaches that have exposed the private information of millions of Americans. Retail companies, in particular, have been hard hit, resulting in millions of dollars being spent to secure computer systems and compensate consumers.

The explosion of e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment is resulting in expanded use of parcel by shippers. How the parcel industry has changed to meet the needs of today's supply chains, and how shippers can maximize parcel in their transportation plans is the topic of SupplyChainBrain's webinar Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET.

Airlines are known for their quick and effective social media responses, often helping stranded and annoyed passengers in real time. But while pharma companies can't solve problems instantly with a reroute or seat change, they can definitely look to airline's social media savvy for inspiration, one industry consultant says.