FedEx is launching a single platform e-commerce solution called fdx that offers end-to-end e-commerce solutions for any size business. “FedEx is transforming into a digitally-led business powered by our extensive physical transportation network, leveraging our scale and insights from moving 15 million packages per day,” FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam said, announcing the unit from the National Retail Federation’s Big Show in Manhattan. “Through fdx, we will enhance our longstanding relationships with merchants of all sizes to help them optimize and grow their businesses through digital intelligence.”

The Verge says fdx, which will be operational this fall, is part of FedEx’s effort to compete with Amazon, and “will combine existing FedEx commerce tools, like access to members of ShopRunner — an e-commerce marketplace FedEx acquired in 2020 — with features debuting in the fall like the ability to create a ‘custom post-purchase experience’ so brands can give customers more accurate shipment information or use insight from FedEx’s shipment network data for order management.”

FedEx Global Relations Manager Christina Meek emphasized the B2B nature of the new initiative for The Verge, stressing “FedEx isn’t in the marketplace business, and that it’s offering businesses ‘digital capabilities and insights’ while they control their customer experience.”

“FedEx is the only logistics company to connect the entire customer journey by offering end-to-end e-commerce solutions for businesses of all sizes — all in one platform,” FexEx said in a newsroom post. “By providing data and insights that improve visibility and connected capabilities across the customer journey, fdx will help merchants make more strategic logistics decisions from point of demand to delivery and returns.”

TechCrunch surmises that 360-degree fulfillment for businesses will be the fulcrum of the new offering, writing that “the platform will likely compete against Amazon by offering merchants services like demand generation, fulfillment, tracking and post-purchase experiences, including returns.”

Engadget calls fdx — now in private preview with an official launch set for fall 2024 — an “all-in-one e-commerce platform.” While it’s not exactly that, as in the early stages FedEx is only offering backroom services, nothing consumer-facing, that could change as the unit establishes its e-commerce presence.

“Businesses can register their interest in trying it out through a form,” TechCrunch writes, noting that “Amazon has been offering Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) for years now to let merchants use the company’s shipping and logistics infrastructure.” Likewise, FedEx in 2017 began offering fulfillment services, and it is likely that unit will be merged into fdx.