Smaller is proving bigger in fulfillment centers thanks to increasingly sophisticated robotics technology. Companies looking to get goods to online consumers faster are turning more attention to microfulfillment, the WSJ Logistics Report’s Jennifer Smith writes, a strategy that puts robots and specialized technology to work in tight space spaces close to where e-commerce shoppers live. A Brooklyn site fitted out with an automated system from U.S.-Israeli robotics provider Fabric highlights the process in action. The slim warehouse hosts chunky metal machines that shuttle goods from storage racks to the warehouse floor for mobile robots to ferry them along in an intricate dance choreographed by software. The automation allows users to pack goods in narrow aisles that human workers can’t reach, getting more use out of urban real estate that’s too costly for many larger logistics operations. Those economics have bigger companies, including grocers, trying microfulfillment on for size.

Corporate leaders expect quieter, less publicly turbulent relations with the White House rather than sweeping changes in policies now that Joe Biden has been elected president. Many corporate leaders view Mr. Biden as a centrist on business issues, the WSJ’s Chip Cutter reports, even if they don’t always agree with his administration’s policies. Chief Executive Peter Anthony of auto-parts supplier UGN expects dealing with the government will “be easier because it is going to be more stable.” Some say they will wait to see a Biden White House’s approach to business. Nicole Wolter, CEO of Illinois-based metal gears maker HM Manufacturing says she will hold back from buying a $250,000 piece of machinery until she knows how tax and economic policy will play out with a Biden administration and new Congress.

Although party control of the U.S. Senate next year remains in question a week after the election, Mr. Biden’s incoming administration could shape key issues and industries over the next four years. The biggest impact in transportation could come with energy policy, with Mr. Biden promising an aggressive climate agenda that could accelerate a shift toward electric vehicles while also advancing moves toward new emissions rules on cars and trucks. On trade, Mr. Biden has signaled he would rethink the use of tariffs and work with other nations to create a united front to confront China. He will also enter office with plans for $2 trillion in infrastructure investment in a year when the existing highway spending plan is due to expire, providing a vehicle for negotiation on a measure that is often ripe for compromise.

Logistics workers are scrambling to bring in workers fast enough to keep up with surging demand. The warehousing, parcel-delivery and trucking sectors added a combined 46,000 jobs last month, the WSJ Logistics Report’s Jennifer Smith writes, a pace highlighting this year’s explosion in online commerce and projections for a flood of retail business leading into the holidays. Warehousing and storage companies added 28,100 jobs in October, the third straight month of gains, while the 8,300 new parcel-sector jobs gave delivery companies nearly 100,000 jobs over the past year. The 9,600 boost in trucking employment may be the strongest sign of progress in the broader U.S. economy. Truckers have added more than 15,000 jobs in the past two months but remain far behind payrolls from a year ago. Executives now are reporting difficulty in bringing in drivers fast enough, in part because of pandemic-driven hurdles at training schools.

A vaccine developed by Pfizer and partner BioNTech proved better than expected at protecting people from Covid-19 in a pivotal study, a milestone in the hunt for shots that can stop the global pandemic. (WSJ)

China’s exports rose 11.4% in October, including a 22.5% jump in shipments to the U.S. (WSJ)

Economies in countries with strong manufacturing sectors have fared better under the coronavirus than those that rely on service industries. (WSJ)

The U.S. jobless rate fell to 6.9% but was still 10.1 million jobs short of the pre-pandemic level. (WSJ)

CVS Health third-quarter sales rose 3.5% to $67.06 billion. (WSJ)

Hershey gained share in the U.S. candy market as it adapted to changing consumer behavior during the coronavirus pandemic. (WSJ)

Truck-engine maker Cummins says its China revenue surged 46% in the third quarter while global revenue fell 11%. (WSJ)

Discount retailer Furniture Factory Outlet filed for bankruptcy with a deal to sell the business to rival American Freight. (WSJ)

Paper-products maker Gorham Paper & Tissue filed for bankruptcy protection to clear the way for a planned sale. (WSJ)

Steelmaker ArcelorMittal and rival Nippon Steel are cooperating more closely as China’s steel production grows. (Nikkei Asian Review)

Some grocery chains are resuming limits on sales of household essentials such as toilet paper, paper towels and disinfecting wipes. (CNN)

Online fashion retailer Farfetch raised $1.1 billion in investment from Alibaba and Swiss luxury group Richemont. (Financial Times)

African e-commerce retailer Jumia is opening its logistics operations to third-party sellers. (Quartz)

U.S. grain supplier The Andersons trimmed its third-quarter loss to $1.1 million and issued a strong outlook on robust export demand, especially from China. (World Grain)

Volkswagen’s Traton unit agreed to pay about $3.7 billion for the outstanding shares of U.S. truck maker Navistar International. (Reuters)

China’s bar against a growing list of Australian exports is creating significant vessel backlogs and pushing cargo ships to rerouting to alternate markets. (Splash 247)

Container ship owner Danaos is doubling its charter rates as prices in the sector reach a nine-year high. (Lloyd’s List)

An Icelandic fishery group wants to buy container and logistics operator Eimskip. (ShippingWatch)

The Port of Virginia added two large cranes to boost its ability to handle bigger container ships. (DC Velocity)

Amazon is opening a 215,000-square-foot hub served by two dedicated freighters at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport. (Bloomberg)

Retailer Tuesday Morning will sell two warehouses as part of a reorganization plan under bankruptcy. (Dallas Morning News)

Lufthansa Cargo swung to a $200.7 million third-quarter operating profit in a capacity-strained airfreight market. (Lloyd’s Loading List)

Singapore Airlines lost $1.7 billion in the quarter ending Sept. 30 as cargo traffic fell by nearly half. (Straits Times)

Paul Page is editor of WSJ Logistics Report. Write to him at paul.page@wsj.com.

Follow the WSJ Logistics Report team: @PaulPage, @jensmithWSJ, @CostasParis. Follow the WSJ Logistics Report on Twitter at @WSJLogistics.