In this episode of LeaderShipping, host Jeremy Lee is joined by Justin Cramer, Co-Founder and Master of Eclectic Obligations at ProShip. Together, Jeremy and Justin unpack how this industry norm took hold, why “free” is never truly free, and what smarter strategies shippers can use to stay profitable without losing customers. From consumer psychology and cost tradeoffs, to data visibility and margin protection, this conversation is a must-listen for any brand navigating the modern shipping economy.

Main Topics:
- The Rise of “Free Shipping” and the Amazon Effect
- What Consumers Really Expect (and How It Impacts Profitability)
- Hidden Costs and Tradeoffs of Offering Free Shipping
- Smarter Strategies for Setting Thresholds and Promotional Windows
- Key Metrics Every eCommerce Leader Should Monitor
- What’s Next for “Free Shipping” in a Changing Market

Other Resources
🎧 More episodes: https://sifted.com/podcast/
🔗 Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justincramer/
🔗 Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-lee-91429252/
🌐 Sifted: https://sifted.com/
🌐 ProShip: https://proshipinc.com/
📬 Sifted’s “Unboxed” newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe/
📖 Sifted’s 2025 Consumer Survey: https://bit.ly/4nlDsrR

In this episode of LeaderShipping, Jeremy Lee is joined by Lori Boyer, Head of Content Marketing at EasyPost and host of the Unboxing Logistics podcast. With years of experience watching shippers navigate holiday crunch time, Lori shares what separates top peak season performers from the rest, and how brands can prep smarter (not just harder).

Covering everything from refining your carrier mix and delivery network to dialing in your forecasting, this episode is your playbook for peak season success.

As online orders surge, so does the volume of packaging waste—and the cost to ship it. Oversized boxes don’t just frustrate customers; they eat into your margins with inflated DIM weight charges, wasted fill, and inefficient use of space.

In this episode of LeaderShipping, Jeremy Lee sits down with Cameron Stout, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at Packsize, to explore how on-demand, right-sized packaging is reshaping the fulfillment game. With over a decade of experience helping brands rethink packaging.
Main Topics:The Hidden Costs of Oversized Packaging
How Right-Sizing Impacts Sustainability and Spend
Packsize’s Tech-Driven Approach to Smarter Packaging
Real ROI from Packaging Automation
What’s Next for Packaging Innovation

Other Resources
More episodes: https://sifted.com/podcast/
Cameron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-stout1/
Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-lee-91429252/
Sifted: https://sifted.com/Packsize: https://www.packsize.com/Sifted’s “Unboxed” newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe/

Supply chain leaders are under pressure to move faster, think smarter, and do more with less.
AI is alleviating this pressure—not by replacing humans, but by helping them lead with more confidence and clarity. 
In this episode of LeaderShipping, Jeremy Lee is joined by Naveen Chandra, Director of Distribution at EssilorLuxottica, to explore the real-world impact of AI across the supply chain, logistics, and parcel industries. With experience at DHL, Nordstrom, and now one of the world’s largest optical brands, Naveen shares how he’s seen AI go from concept to competitive advantage.
Main Topics:Artificial Intelligence in Supply Chains
How Leadership Can Leverage AI Effectively
Overcoming AI-Related Barriers
Ways AI Can Simplify Parcel Complexity 
Where the Future of AI is Headed
Other ResourcesMore episodes: https://sifted.com/podcast/Naveen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nvnchndr/Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-lee-91429252/Sifted: https://sifted.com/Sifted’s “Unboxed” newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe/

There have never been more tools available to help manage your shipping. 
But how can you best manage them?
In our newest episode of LeaderShipping, Jeremy Lee is joined by Adam McCoy, Chief Operating Officer at eHub, to cover how to build a tech stack that works for you.
Together, they break down different types of tools, how to evaluate them, and tips for managing them all effectively.
Main Topics:- How to set a strategy for your shipping- Finding tools to help you achieve specific goals- Tools that can evaluate success- How to best manage a complicated tech stack
Other Resources:- More episodes: https://sifted.com/podcast/- Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aadammccoy/- eHub: https://ehub.com/- Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-lee-91429252/- Sifted: https://sifted.com/- Sifted’s “Unboxed” newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe/

In the eyes of many shippers, the last few years have seen more change than the last few decades. 
2025 - just two months in - is no exception. GRIs have taken effect, carrier partnerships have shifted, de minimis import exemptions are in the crosshairs, and the U.S. Postal Service is making headlines week after week. 
We’re here to help you stay caught up.
In this episode of LeaderShipping, Jeremy Lee is joined by Mark Waverek, Managing Director at Plaidmark Management Consulting services, to discuss 2025’s early headlines, changes with the USPS (and greater parcel market), and how shippers can best navigate the shifting landscape.
Other Resources:- More episodes: https://sifted.com/podcast/- Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waverek/- Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-lee-91429252/- Sifted: https://sifted.com/- Sifted’s “Unboxed” newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe/

00:00 Introduction02:39 The state of the Postal Service05:08 USPS consolidator changes (2025’s biggest trends)07:09 The end of de minimis exemptions?14:22 The USPS’ transformation plan16:50 USPS Ground Advantage18:55 Ounce-based parcel rates20:37 Direct NSAs with the USPS22:37 The benefit of data visibility23:46 DHL and USPS’ evolving relationship27:22 Privatizing the USPS?28:46 The keys to shipping success in 202531:05 2025’s Good News33:20 Mark’s final advice for 202535:22 Building contingency plans with SiftedAI36:39 Get in touch with Mark38:09 SiftedAI’s tools

In a world where more purchases shift each year from in-store to internet, a package arriving on a customer’s doorstep is often the only physical interaction they’ll have with a brand.
And while much of that process is in the carriers’ hands, there’s a lot shippers can do to make sure they nail the shipping portion of a customer’s experience. 
In this episode of LeaderShipping, Caleb Nelson is joined by Danna Nieto, M.S., Head of Agency Partnerships at ShipperHQ, to discuss the relationship between shipping and brand strategy, and how to ensure your customers love every step of their journey with your brand.
Main Topics:
Why businesses should consider shipping a part of brand strategy
The importance of communication in the shipping process, before and after purchase
Should brands ship with unique packaging?
How to find the sweet spot between shipping speed and cost
Other Resources:- Other episodes: https://sifted.com/podcast/- Home Delivery Consumer Survey blog: https://sifted.com/resources/survey-consumer-home-delivery-preferences/- Danna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danna-nieto/- Danna on Twitter/X: https://x.com/dannalnieto- ShipperHQ: https://shipperhq.com/- Ship Talking: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ship-talking-pros/- Caleb on LinkedIn:   / caleb-nelson-57a2322  - Sifted: https://sifted.com/- Sifted’s “Unboxed” newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe/
00:00 Intro02:45 Why shipping strategy = brand strategy04:25 Preventing cart abandonment07:01 Communicating throughout the shipping process15:11 Is custom packaging important?18:01 Fast or free shipping?22:55 Turn shipping into a competitive advantage28:23 Get in touch with Danna and ShipperHQ29:48 Conclusion

Parcel shipping is inherently complex. Picking and packing orders, matching SKUs to box sizes, selecting the best carriers and services, and juggling ever-rising costs isn’t for everyone.
But when an item has to arrive on-time AND at a correct temperature, things get even trickier.
In our latest episode of LeaderShipping, Wesley O’Brien, Co-Founder and Chief Logistics Officer at Frozen Logistics, joins Caleb Nelson to discuss the challenges of shipping temperature-sensitive items, how continuous testing and optimization yields better results, and how they’re revolutionizing direct-to-consumer cold logistics.
Main Topics:- Factors to consider to ensure a product doesn’t spoil in transit- The importance of testing, trial and error in cold chain- Important data for cold chain shippers to track- How DeliveredCold is rethinking D2C cold logistics- Specific challenges for shipping temp-controlled products to consumers’ homes

Other Resources:- Other episodes: https://sifted.com/podcast/- Wesley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-o-brien-3179b4260/- Frozen Logistics: https://www.frozenlogistics.com/- DeliveredCold: https://deliveredcold.com/- Caleb on LinkedIn:   / caleb-nelson-57a2322  - Sifted: https://sifted.com/- Sifted’s “Unboxed” newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe/

00:00 - Introduction01:36 - From meat processing to founding a cold-chain 3PL05:23 - Keeping products cold in transit08:35 - Data cold chain shippers should track12:14 - DeliveredCold - a marketplace for cold chain consolidation13:13 - Direct-to-consumer cold shipping complexities17:03 - Finding the right cold chain partner21:41 - Get in touch w/ Wesley & Frozen Logistics22:41 - Conclusion

For high-volume shippers, smooth operations can feel like “success.” And as the old adage goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
But when shippers settle for “ain’t broke,” a LOT of opportunity is left on the table. 
In our latest episode of LeaderShipping, John McClymont, Founder and Principal of Operational Innovations, joins Caleb Nelson to share how shippers can shake up their status quo, and the benefits they can find from continuous optimization.
Main Topics:
What is the “status quo” for shippers?
The dangers of settling for the status quo
Identifying areas for improvement
How shipping is a crucial part of customer experience
The benefits of continuously reviewing and improving operations
Other Resources:
Other episodes: https://sifted.com/podcast/
John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mcclymont/
Operational Innovations: https://operationalinnovations.ca
Caleb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-nelson-57a2322/
Sifted: https://sifted.com/
Sifted’s “Unboxed” newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe/
Home Delivery World: https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/home-delivery-world/index.stm
Sifted’s Home Delivery World Preview: https://sifted.com/resources/sifted-at-home-delivery-world-2024-what-to-know/
00:00 - Introduction01:59 - What is the “status quo” in shipping?04:02 - Customer experience in shipping05:47 - The dangers of settling for the status quo08:36 - The first step for improvement12:09 - Common shipping/operations mistakes15:55 - Innovating without fear of failure17:28 - Accurately communicating shipping times to customers22:17 - Auditing your own operational health24:21 - Seeking out next-level opportunities26:36 - Connect with John27:25 - Connect with Sifted

eCommerce returns are a BIG problem.
In fact, the value of items returned by consumers globally reached $1.8 trillion in 2022.
Lots of shippers and 3PLs consider returns a necessary evil - often given little attention to and relegated to a disorderly corner of the warehouse. 
New innovations are unlocking the potential of better returns management, allowing for greater efficiency, insights, and competitive advantages.
In this episode, Kyle Bertin, CEO and Co-Founder of Two Boxes, joins Caleb Nelson to discuss these innovations, and what better returns management looks like in the future.
Main Topics:- What makes returns a problem?- How Two Boxes is simplifying and revolutionizing returns management- The importance of returns data- Detecting fraudulent returns activity- The sustainability impact of limiting returns and waste- How optimized returns can become a competitive advantage for brands and 3PLs
Other Resources:- Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebertin/- https://www.twoboxes.com/- Caleb on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-nelson-57a2322/- Sifted: https://sifted.com- Sifted's "Unboxed" newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe- Home Delivery World: https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/home-delivery-world/index.stm