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Burberry will acquire its supplier for 'greater control'

But buying a supplier may not be the best way to gain control over a company's supply chain. 

Procurement

Walmart e-commerce growth rebounds

U.S. online sales at the big-box retailer jumped 33%, up from a 23% increase last quarter. 

Logistics

Retail supply chain investments revolve around the consumer

While retailers invest in visibility and new fulfillment models, a joint survey from JDA and KPMG said lack of management commitment is a top inhibitor.

Logistics

Ports seek more funding to handle multimodal freight spike

The State of Freight report outlines ports' needs, but Congress doesn't seem like it will acquiesce anytime soon.

Regulation

After a labor dispute, Coast Guard intervenes to restore traffic at Toledo terminal

Global commerce depends on a few freight choke points, which can be severely disrupted in a flash by labor disputes or operational issues.

Freight

Kansas City Southern restarts New Orleans-Dallas container shuttle

The shuttle is part of an effort to attract more international shipments through New Orleans and better position containers for the growing regional industry.

Freight

Most healthcare execs hope Amazon expands supply chain presence

A new survey shows industry leaders back Amazon jumping further into medical supplies to lower prices and quicken deliveries.

Logistics

OEM-supplier relationships slump in 2018

If supplier relations aren't a priority, profit margins and competitiveness may decrease while supply chain risk increases.

Operations

The world's most resilient countries rely on great infrastructure

How quickly countries can rebuild after a natural disaster is an important factor in sourcing decisions. 

Procurement

Treating supply chain as a cost center leaves value on the table

A survey from Accenture found the department is seldom involved in new technology investment decisions, which hinders strategic execution.

Operations

Walmart sourcing executive lands at Target

William Foudy has more than 25 years of experience in the sourcing industry and has led international teams for brands including Adidas and Nike.

Operations

Tech's benefits for procurement are endless, but useless without baseline data

Procurement leaders' frequent interactions with suppliers can help them gather external data needed for their companies to innovate.

Procurement

Supplier competition heats up as retailers focus on speed and precision

Suppliers and manufacturers must adopt retailer tactics to improve their own supply chains or else lose business.

Logistics

HSBC, Cargill successfully complete blockchain trade-finance transaction

The transaction could propel interest in blockchain, as worldwide spending on the tech solution is forecast to reach $2.1 billion in 2018.

Logistics

Warehouse robotics are catching on, but to a limited scale

Tough ROI calculations, cost and implementation barriers mean the top adapters of the new tech are logistics providers, while others lag behind.

Logistics

Opinion

Tit-for-tat tariffs call for closer calculations

Should the worst happen, companies need to ensure global supply chains are prepared to handle disruption.

Regulation

Target tests more frequent, tailored deliveries to stores

The mass merchant's latest pilot aims to cut its replenishment cycle from days to hours while reducing inventory at stores, especially small-format ones.

Logistics

Sears finds niche as brick-and-mortar resource for Amazon

The company's tire installation deal with Amazon mirrors its symbiotic relationship with other e-tailers looking for a brick-and-mortar presence. 

Logistics

Wrangler invests in soil health to improve supply chain

Water availability constrains the world's cotton supply, so Wrangler is working with suppliers to use soil more efficiently.

Procurement

Industry Pulse: Ocean carriers struggle to break even as rates fall

While the Chinese New Year may have artificially inflated shipping rates, the decline in March and April shows carriers continue to struggle. 

Freight

Mother's Day flower orders squeeze cold chain capacity

The majority of cut flowers come to the U.S. from Ecuador and Colombia via Miami, leading to a spike in spot rates for refrigerated van services.

Freight

Column

Chain Reaction: White House organizes AI summit

On Capitol Hill, Maersk and UPS were among the industry representatives testifying to Congress on blockchain's use cases.

Regulation