Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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Courtesy of PepsiCo
Food companies say they can reduce their emissions this year. Experts are skeptical.
Academics and environmental groups say CPGs’ reliance on regenerative agriculture and carbon credits may not be enough to realistically hit their time-based goals.
Chris Casey • Feb. 6, 2023 -
Permission granted by Vita Coco
Here’s how CPGs are bracing for more volatility in 2023
Supply chain disruptions are prompting companies to revamp operations to weather a period of prolonged uncertainty.
Christopher Doering • Jan. 19, 2023 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Amid strike fears, cargo diversion a key fixture in 2022’s supply chain playbook
The shadow of negotiations clouds U.S. railroads and West Coast ports. Shippers have leaned on less-risky alternatives, despite some drawbacks.
Max Garland • Nov. 16, 2022 -
Courtesy of Medline
Holiday hangovers: Retailers seek to clear out inventory piles as the season ramps up
After declarations about “decisive” actions to clear excess goods earlier this year, levels are still high and markdowns rampant.
Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 8, 2022 -
Thomas Cain via Getty Images
ESG backlash unlikely to derail SEC proposal requiring climate risk disclosures
One expert said the agency has "vastly underestimated" the amount of money needed for businesses to comply.
Jim Tyson • Nov. 3, 2022 -
jasonbennee via Getty Images
How the US plans to transform its lithium supply chain
With just 3.6% of global reserves, access to the critical mineral is vital to the country’s sustainable energy plans.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Oct. 27, 2022 -
Jon Cherry/Getty Images via Getty Images
UPS and FedEx rate increases are coming. Here’s how shippers can prepare.
Experts note that shipping rates are negotiable, but how amenable the delivery giants will be to concessions is up for debate.
Max Garland • Oct. 26, 2022 -
Permission granted by Operation BBQ Relief
How the trucking industry is helping feed a million Floridians after Hurricane Ian
Operation BBQ Relief drew volunteer drivers from across the country to deliver much-needed food supplies in the storm’s aftermath.
Colin Campbell • Oct. 12, 2022 -
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via Getty Images
Louis DeJoy is transforming the Postal Service. Can the agency compete with FedEx and UPS?
The U.S. Postmaster General isn’t afraid of making big changes. But keeping pace with private parcel carriers is a tall order for the beleaguered agency, experts say.
Max Garland • Sept. 28, 2022 -
Retrieved from Dot's Homestyle Pretzels.
How CPGs are using M&A to boost manufacturing amid supply disruptions
While dealmaking often focuses on food or beverage brands, more companies are buying plants to ramp up production, widen an offering’s reach and lessen dependence on outside manufacturers.
Christopher Doering • Sept. 20, 2022 -
Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
How tensions between FedEx Ground and its contractors reached a boiling point
The logistics giant's model for independent delivery providers is broken, an analyst said. One contractor is leading a push for change.
Max Garland • Aug. 25, 2022 -
Photo Illustration: Getty Images; Industry Dive
‘We have to do something’: Can retail close the gap on supply chain emissions?
The industry is woefully behind on scope 3 targets for greenhouse gases. Data poses steep challenges, but experts say retailers still can — and must — do more.
Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 11, 2022 -
Christopher Doering/Supply Chain Dive
Small candy makers rethink operations as supply chain issues bite
Sweets manufacturers are doing away with long-time traditions to weather labor shortages, high costs and unreliable ingredient deliveries.
Christopher Doering • Aug. 4, 2022 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Makers of COVID-19 tests shift focus as testing wanes
Startups that grew quickly from large contracts are looking nervously to a new future, as demand plummets for mass testing and shifts to homes.
Elise Reuter • July 27, 2022 -
Courtesy of Rocket 88 Books
Waiting for 'Lady Day': A Billie Holiday book's supply chain saga
On the planned release date, pre-ordered copies sat inside a container aboard the Evergreen ship stuck in the Chesapeake Bay. Their voyage offers a glimpse into today’s ocean freight challenges.
Colin Campbell • July 7, 2022 -
Natalie Behring via Getty Images
Sustainable packaging goals challenged by supply chain realities
As CPGs set targets to cut virgin plastic use, chaotic forces like the pandemic, poor weather and war complicate the timeline.
Samantha Oller • June 9, 2022 -
Ethan Miller/Getty Images via Getty Images
Carriers, shippers grapple with how to cut emissions in airfreight
The airfreight industry is rolling out environmentally-minded initiatives. Will it be enough for shippers to stick with the emissions-heavy mode?
Max Garland • May 18, 2022 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Furniture retailers forge new supply chain practices as backlogs, delays prevail
Improved inventory management is just one practice — executives are also looking at new sourcing destinations to mitigate risk.
Ben Unglesbee • April 25, 2022 -
Oli Scarff via Getty Images
Amazon is slowing down its fulfillment center spend. What's next?
Heightened demand put Amazon's distribution buildout into overdrive. To speed up delivery and limit costs, it will have to invest more.
Max Garland • March 16, 2022 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Retail supply chains were made to be broken. Will brands adapt — or revert?
The past two years have laid bare vulnerabilities that have long existed in the system, including a lack of capacity and geographic concentration in manufacturing.
Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 11, 2022 -
Courtesy of Johnsonville
Food suppliers wade into logistics as trucking rates soar
Businesses can't evade the trucking market, but there are strategies they can adopt to lessen the impact of market forces.
Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 9, 2022 -
Advance Auto Parts has a program to hire people with disabilities at 16 of its 44 distribution centers. Darrin Masters (right), who was hired via the program, poses alongside Jenny Ramos (left), head trainer at Advance Auto Parts' Kutztown distribution center. Advance Auto Parts granted permission to use this image.
Disability inclusion programs help warehouses hire overlooked talent
Retail and logistics companies are accelerating their commitments to workers with disabilities as a labor crunch hampers operations. Experts say the programs have sizeable benefits.
Colin Campbell • Feb. 8, 2022 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
How grocers are managing the twin pressures of supply chain disruption and inflation
Companies need to be particularly "agile" in 2022, one expert said, as high demand and shortages can make inflation appear quickly.
Jeff Wells • Jan. 31, 2022 -
LeoPatrizi via Getty Images
Delivery firms deepen restaurant relationships as growth slows
Major aggregators are rolling out white labels, subscription programs and data tools to retain partners as more diners order from operators directly.
Julie Littman • Jan. 31, 2022 -
LukaTDB via Getty Images
Grocers are experimenting with delivery fees. Here are 8 key factors to consider.
Experts said they expect — and encourage — grocers to continue testing strategies for dealing with delivery costs.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 18, 2022
