Sofia Varela

Fuel surcharges are climbing as fuel prices move higher. The ongoing conflict in Iran has disrupted oil supply and created volatility across global energy markets, which is now flowing through to transportation costs. FedEx and UPS have begun adjusting surcharge tables, and USPS has introduced temporary increases across key services. For brands shipping daily, these … Read more

For frozen DTC brands, summer is a stress test. Temperatures rise, transit gets less predictable, and the margin for error on every shipment gets smaller. That’s why preparation can’t wait until things start breaking. Why Summer Breaks Cold-Chains That Work Fine the Rest of the Year A fulfillment operation that performs consistently in October can … Read more

Spring is the hardest season to predict in cold-chain shipping, not because of extreme heat or extreme cold, but because of volatility. A shipment leaving Chicago in 55°F weather can hit 28°F overnight lows mid-route. A package heading to Atlanta might face warmth one day and a cold snap the next. For frozen and refrigerated … Read more

Building a perishable ecommerce brand takes years of work that often goes unseen. Delivering consistently to costumers through uncertainty and rising expectations is what turns effort into real scale. At Grip we believe that’s worth celebrating. Introducing the Grip Impact Awards, a recognition program created to celebrate frozen and refrigerated direct-to-consumer brands and the teams … Read more

Valentine’s Day is one of the most emotionally driven ecommerce moments of the year. This year U.S. consumers are projected to spend a record $29.1 billion on gifts, with shoppers budgeting nearly $200 on average (up from last year). What was once a narrowly defined romantic retail moment is now driven by a broader range … Read more

This past week has delivered some of the most extreme and unpredictable cold weather the U.S. has seen in years. Regions that rarely experience sustained low temperatures have been hit with prolonged cold snaps that have thrown off systems designed for a far more predictable climate. Parts of the Southeast have seen temperatures drop into … Read more

Carrier performance is inherently inconsistent. It shifts by ZIP code, season, weather patterns, and broader network conditions. What works reliably in one region (or even one month) can break down in another. For frozen brands, that inconsistency is a risk that compounds fast. Many frozen and refrigerated DTC brands rely on a simple model: choose … Read more

Frozen and refrigerated retail brands have spent decades building their businesses around grocery store distribution. Freezer placements, promotions, and regional partnerships have been the backbone of growth. But due to the past years of heavy online demand, DTC has become more than a side channel. The shift is driven by consumer behavior. Shoppers are buying … Read more

Over the last several years, the pet food industry has undergone a noticeable shift toward human-grade, refrigerated, and frozen formats. These products are among the fastest-growing categories in U.S. retail, with refrigerated and frozen dog food posting roughly 30% year-over-year growth. At the same time, pet owners have become significantly more discerning. Surveys show that … Read more

Every November, eCommerce brands brace for their biggest stress test of the year: Black Friday and Cyber Week. Order volumes surge, carrier networks hit capacity, and even the most advanced fulfillment systems get stretched thin. While most brands prepare their marketing campaigns and websites, the real test happens behind the scenes: in fulfillment centers, carrier … Read more