Logistics operators think Americans will keep a firm grip on their digital shopping carts even as consumers return to stores. Companies that served the booming e-commerce market during the pandemic say they are maintaining their investments in new capacity. The WSJ Logistics Report’s Jennifer Smith writes the businesses that capitalized on the rush to online ordering believe accelerated adoption of digital commerce during pandemic lockdowns has fundamentally altered consumer buying habits. Broad sales figures suggest e-commerce gains are losing momentum, and logistics specialists like ShipMonk and Radial say volumes have slipped from pandemic highs. But sales remain far ahead of pre-Covid levels and the broader retail market looks to be on a roll. The National Retail Federation just sharply raised its sales forecast, predicting growth of 10.5% to 13.5% this year. The group expects nonstore and online sales to grow as much as 23% in 2021.

The retail sector may be roaring, but different segments of the market are moving on very different tracks. Discount retailer Big Lots is investing in new stores and distribution centers, the WSJ’s Kristin Broughton reports, as the company capitalizes on higher sales driven by federal stimulus checks and the recent home-improvement craze. That has the retailer looking to speed up its supply chain, and it’s allocating about $12 million to open two new distribution centers this year to process furniture and items that are shipped in large pallets. The sites will join five warehouses around the U.S., and Big Lots is hoping the sites will help mitigate shipping delays and rising freight costs from pandemic-related backlogs.

Soup maker Campbell Soup is trying to cope with rising shipping and materials costs just as the boost it got during the pandemic starts to run out. The WSJ's Annie Gasparro reports Campbell is raising prices as its profits are getting squeezed. But the company along with other food makers is coping with inflationary pressures while revenues are taking a hit, with formerly homebound consumers now returning to restaurants and offices.
 

An American manufacturer is placing a big bet on a domestic solar supply chain. Arizona-based First Solar plans to invest $680 million in a new Ohio factory, the WSJ’s Bob Davis reports, marking one of the most ambitious steps to increase U.S. production since China began dominating the industry a decade ago. The plant would open near Toledo in 2023 and give First Solar a little more than half the market for U.S.-produced solar panels. The company is pointing to growing U.S. demand as the country seeks more energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Domestic producers haven’t been getting much of that growth. Imports hold an 85% share of the American solar market, and First Solar itself would still import 40% of its panels from its Vietnam and Malaysia factories after its Ohio plant is completed. But the company says the U.S. production will help it save on freight costs.

Wholesale inventories in the U.S. rose 0.8% from March to April. (Dow Jones Newswires)

United Parcel Service CEO Carol Tomé says the company is exploring a same-day delivery option. (WSJ)

XPO Logistics raised its earnings outlook on a stronger-than-expected performance in its transport segment. (Dow Jones Newswires)

Royal Dutch Shell will accelerate efforts to cut its carbon emissions in the wake of a Dutch court environmental ruling. (WSJ)

China’s economic planners have put the brakes on attempts to reduce carbon emissions as driving growth takes priority. (WSJ)

Chinese online grocery companies MissFresh and Dingdong Maicai both filed for public stock listings in the U.S. (WSJ)

The White House plans to donate 500 million Pfizer coronavirus vaccine doses to the rest of the world. (WSJ)

U.S. apparel imports rose 21.5% this year through April, including 39.4% growth from China. (Sourcing Journal)

A United Nations gauge of world food costs climbed for an 11th month in April. (Bloomberg)

Semiconductor maker Intel is looking at its reverse logistics operations as it seeks to limit waste in its supply chain. (Supply Chain Brain)

U.S. food delivery business DoorDash launched services in Japan. (Nikkei Asia)

Container throughput growth at major Chinese ports has slowed sharply amid bottlenecks at Southern China gateways. (Lloyd’s List)

Several Asian ports have turned away an Evergreen container ship carrying the remains of the vessel’s captain, who died of coronavirus two months ago. (ShippingWatch)

Spot rates for the largest dry-bulk cargo vessels are soaring to multi-year highs. (TradeWinds)

The Port of Los Angeles is rolling out hydrogen-powered trucks and opening two hydrogen fueling stations as part of an environmental demonstration project. (DC Velocity)

Self-driving truck startup Waabi raised $83.5 million in a Series A funding round for a business founded by artificial intelligence leader Raquel Urtasun. (TechCrunch)

U.S. rail regulators set a timetable for considering the Canadian National-Kansas City Southern merger starting on June 14. (Progressive Railroading)

Fertilizer shippers are asking federal rail regulators to investigate what they say are widespread service problems at CSX. (Trains)

CBRE says 43% of U.S. warehouse space under construction is already committed to clients, the highest level in 21 years. (Inbound Logistics)

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.