On the Seams

A Brief Primer on Dollar General's Distribution Network

The modern-day five and dime has been expanding its distribution capacity since 2022

Nov 6 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

5

October 2025

On Amazon's Robotics Dreams

A recent New York Times piece sounds the alarm about Amazon automating away work, but the conclusion is actually not that dramatic

Oct 27 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

5

2

What Is Going On in the Grocery Industry?

Will Amazon disrupt groceries? How did Walmart take over food sales? Is Zohran Mamdani’s public grocery plan too small? An interview with former Whole…

Oct 14 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

18

4

Life Inside China’s Gig Machine

An interview with Hu Anyan, author of I Deliver Parcels in Beijing

Oct 10 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

4

2

September 2025

Labor’s Crisis Is Not a PR Problem

... as many commentators on the right and left continually assert

Sep 10 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

5

1

Where Are Amazon Imports Coming From and Going To?

The big question: Why are all these imports being consigned to ONT8 and SBD3? Could there be such a thing as a Pre-IXD?

Sep 4 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

10

August 2025

A Brief Primer on Lowe's Distribution Network

...which has gotten a $1.7 billion upgrade since 2018

Aug 18 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

2

1

Updated Primers

Better data = better primers

Aug 4 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

1

1

July 2025

Home Depot Updates

Updates on the distribution network of the fourth largest employer in the United States

Jul 3 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

June 2025

A Brief Primer on Kroger's Distribution Network

The fifth largest employer in the country has a lot of brands, a lot of production plants, and a high tech fulfillment network

Jun 30 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

9

4

A Brief Primer on Target's Distribution Network

The third largest employer in the country is engaged in a unique metro sortation hub buildout

Jun 24 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

3

A Brief Primer on the United States Postal Service's Distribution Network

The oldest distribution network in the United States has been getting a pretty radical facelift since 2021

Jun 17 • 

Benjamin Y. Fong

4