Bringoz Industry Weekly 4/20

he U.S. drone package delivery market is expected to grow to $1.08 billion by 2030. Lowe’s has agreed to acquire Artisan Design Group for $1.32 billion. Ikea continues its small store expansion. Read about these stories and more in our weekly industry news roundup.

The U.S. drone package delivery market is expected to grow from $225.2 million in 2024 to $1.08 billion by 2030, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The surge is being driven by the need for faster delivery times and the push to cut last-mile costs. Aviation authorities are creating clearer rules that make it easier for companies to use drones safely and efficiently. With these rules in place, drones are quickly becoming a real option for last-mile deliveries. Read more.

Lowe’s Companies is expanding its professional contractor offerings into a new distribution channel. The home improvement giant has agreed to acquire Artisan Design Group (ADG) for $1.32 billion. ADG is a leading nationwide provider of design, distribution and installation services for interior surface finishes to national, regional and local homebuilders and property managers. The deal comes as Lowe’s has been focused on enhancing its Pro business. Read more.

Continuing its small store expansion, Ikea plans to open a 63,000 square-foot store later this year in Dallas. While the new location will offer some 3,200 items in store for purchase, customers can order any Ikea products online and pick them up for free or have them delivered for a fee. The small store concept is part of Ikea’s strategy to bring its furniture offerings to more urban environments where space is limited and difficult to build the company’s warehouse-style locations. Read more.

Speed of delivery has become one of the most important factors in customer satisfaction. In the home improvement industry, where products are often large, heavy, or bulky, this expectation presents unique challenges. However, home improvement retailers are finding innovative ways to speed up delivery times while maintaining service quality. Here’s a closer look at how home improvement retailers are optimizing delivery speed. Read more.

From brick-and-mortar expansion to technology implementation, furniture retailers are adapting to changing customer expectations and providing more tech-driven, customer-centric experiences. Furniture retailers are refining their business models to make the shopping experience more efficient, seamless, and enjoyable. Here’s a look at furniture retail trends to watch this year. Read more.

From warehouse operations to last-mile delivery, innovative technologies are reshaping the way work is done and transforming the roles and responsibilities of the workforce. The modern workforce is adapting to increasingly automated workflows and sophisticated systems to enhance workforce optimization and improve fulfillment and delivery accuracy, speed, and efficiency. Here’s a look at how technology is changing the fulfillment and delivery workforce. Read more.