Three months after entering into a partnership to expand online shopping options for Chinese consumers, Walmart and JD.com have announced three new ways for customers to access Walmart products from around the world. The efforts, which are part of the original strategy announced in June, are officially launching during the run up to Singles Day on November 11. They aim to improve logistics and supply chain functions, cross-border e-commerce and online-to-offline e-commerce services for consumers across the country, the companies say.

In an attempt to deal with potential network capacity issues this holiday season, Amazon is limiting the use of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) warehouses and services to existing sellers between now and Dec. 19, the company confirmed. This means new sellers would have difficulty using FBA to fulfill last-minute Christmas orders.

In the heart of Amazon country, Nordstrom, Costco and UPS have joined with a team from the University of Washington in Seattle to study solutions to last-mile delivery issues in urban areas. UW's Urban Freight Lab will explore high-impact, low-cost solutions in urban areas where delivery vehicles, bicycles, cars and pedestrians all have to coexist, according to the university.

Shoppers are demanding a seamless experience across all brand channels, both on- and offline, but retailers – particularly in apparel - are struggling to move at the speed their consumers want and need.

While the idea of B2B e-commerce has been around for some time, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to enable their digital selling channels. In fact, companies that are failing to invest in digital channels are quickly finding themselves uncompetitive in today business climate. Buyers have come to expect total omnichannel engagement.