Source: Adapted from Rodrigue, J-P (2020) “The Distribution Network of Amazon: Analyzing the Footprint of Freight Digitalization”, Journal of Transport Geography, Vol. 88.
As of 2022, Amazon’s network of 36 inbound cross-docking facilities (IXD) was positioned in relation to port gateways and corridors, particularly around New York and Los Angeles, which are major trade gateways. The main goal of IXD facilities is to transload import containers into truckloads bound for e-fulfillment centers. Inland locations correspond to major intermodal terminals in proximity to manufacturing clusters, as IXD facilities also receive domestic procurement. The weighted median location corresponds to an area close to the demographic center of the United States (southern Missouri). No IDX facilities are co-located, underlining that they operate as single entities incompatible with the function and operations of other facilities.