Sofia Varela

Valentine’s Day is one of the most emotionally driven ecommerce moments of the year. This year U.S. consumers are projected to spend a record $29.1 billion on gifts, with shoppers budgeting nearly $200 on average (up from last year). What was once a narrowly defined romantic retail moment is now driven by a broader range … Read more

This past week has delivered some of the most extreme and unpredictable cold weather the U.S. has seen in years. Regions that rarely experience sustained low temperatures have been hit with prolonged cold snaps that have thrown off systems designed for a far more predictable climate. Parts of the Southeast have seen temperatures drop into … Read more

Carrier performance is inherently inconsistent. It shifts by ZIP code, season, weather patterns, and broader network conditions. What works reliably in one region (or even one month) can break down in another. For frozen brands, that inconsistency is a risk that compounds fast. Many frozen and refrigerated DTC brands rely on a simple model: choose … Read more

Frozen and refrigerated retail brands have spent decades building their businesses around grocery store distribution. Freezer placements, promotions, and regional partnerships have been the backbone of growth. But due to the past years of heavy online demand, DTC has become more than a side channel. The shift is driven by consumer behavior. Shoppers are buying … Read more

Over the last several years, the pet food industry has undergone a noticeable shift toward human-grade, refrigerated, and frozen formats. These products are among the fastest-growing categories in U.S. retail, with refrigerated and frozen dog food posting roughly 30% year-over-year growth. At the same time, pet owners have become significantly more discerning. Surveys show that … Read more

Every November, eCommerce brands brace for their biggest stress test of the year: Black Friday and Cyber Week. Order volumes surge, carrier networks hit capacity, and even the most advanced fulfillment systems get stretched thin. While most brands prepare their marketing campaigns and websites, the real test happens behind the scenes: in fulfillment centers, carrier … Read more

For decades, the growth playbook of consumer packaged goods (CPG) was clear: earn shelf space in major retailers, optimize promotions, and scale via mass distribution. But the market is shifting. The fastest-growing CPG brands are increasingly building direct relationships with consumers — owning first-party data, controlling brand experience, and shipping directly to doors. This transition … Read more

Cold-chain logistics is one of the fastest-evolving sectors in modern supply chain management. Over the next decade, the global food cold-chain logistics market is projected to grow more than 4×, rising from USD 393 billion in 2025 to over USD 1.6 trillion by 2035, reflecting a 15.3% CAGR. (Fact.MR) For DTC frozen and refrigerated brands, … Read more

Peak season is when everything collides; demand surges, carriers reach capacity, costs rise, and unpredictable winter weather adds risk. For frozen and refrigerated DTC brands, it’s the toughest stretch of the year. But peak season isn’t just chaos, it’s also the single biggest opportunity to win customers. It’s projected that U.S. e-commerce sales will reach … Read more

Shipping frozen and refrigerated products DTC is unforgiving. To stay ahead, brands need to focus on certain key performance indicators (KPIs) that reveal just how well their operations are running. Here are six KPIs that are crucial for cold-chain shipping. 1) Pick Accuracy What it is: The percentage of orders that are picked and packed … Read more