Coronavirus

Damaged packaging, labor constraints hamper Beyond Meat's ability to fill orders

The plant-based food producer is planning more redundancy across its supply chain, its CEO said. 

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 23, 2021

Now is the time to shockproof supply chains, with a 3-pronged approach

Congested ports and empty car lots are a loud wake-up call to the shortcomings of just-in-time, the authors write.

By Kim Doyle and Tim Weed • Nov. 15, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail Supply Chains

Retail supply chains have transformed into a complex web of goods movement and technology, with more touchpoints to the consumer than ever before. 

By Supply Chain Dive staff

CSX, Norfolk Southern say labor constraints are affecting service

Hiring and retention challenges are affecting the companies' abilities to handle increased intermodal demand, according to railroad executives.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 11, 2021

Just-in-time and safety stock require a careful balance

Over the course of the pandemic, inventory has gone up, but so have sales. Are companies rethinking lean or just trying to keep up with demand?

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 10, 2021

Air cargo delays likely at Hong Kong terminal amid COVID-19 outbreak

The expected slowdown brings another challenge for shippers, who already face limited capacity and high spot rates trying to move freight from Asia into the U.S. for the holiday season.

By Max Garland • Oct. 18, 2021

Legislators propose federal office to manage supply chain crises

A new bill would create the Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response to monitor and respond to disruptions.

By Colin Campbell • Oct. 18, 2021

Companies report rising inflation in freight, raw materials: Gartner

After failing to make long-term investments in their supply chain at the start of the pandemic, many organizations are staring down eroding margins and higher costs.

By Jane Thier • Oct. 11, 2021

Siloed data presents a hurdle to tracing tiers of the supply chain

As procurement pros seek deeper relationships with suppliers, they often find vital information is not available in digital forms.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Oct. 7, 2021

The rise of LTL: How e-commerce changed the middle mile

Businesses are shipping smaller quantities of freight more frequently, giving logistics professionals more to manage in increasingly complex networks.

By S.L. Fuller • Oct. 6, 2021

'We're going to see a lot of bare shelves': Retail preps for a holiday beset by supply chain pain

Bottlenecks from factories to cargo ships mean less inventory and fewer discounts for the season.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 5, 2021

Procuring sustainable coffee cups presents a blend of challenges

Increased global demand and recycling setbacks during the pandemic point to the need for better systems within the supply chain.

By Jen A. Miller • Sept. 23, 2021

How Pfizer transformed its supply chain to deliver vaccines at lightspeed

In a span of months, the company strengthened its production power for pandemic-level demand.

By Max Garland • Sept. 21, 2021

Vaccine mandate adds another wrinkle to warehouse, distribution hiring crunch

The mandate's "aim is good, but there will likely be short-term pain for long-term gain," said Raj Patel, senior director of 3PL global industry strategy at Blue Yonder, in an email.

By Max Garland • Sept. 14, 2021

Shutdowns in Asia sting Toyota, automakers and exacerbate chip shortage

Toyota will temporarily close nine plants this month, including those responsible for the Corolla and Camry sedans, according to an SEC filing.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 14, 2021

Vietnam closures push retailers to shift tactics, suppliers ahead of the holidays

Big Lots expects $60 million in lost sales due to lockdowns in Vietnam, which may last until the end of the month.

By Edwin Lopez • Sept. 13, 2021

Biden to require large employers mandate vaccines

The ruling will especially impact warehouse workers, as many large companies had avoided requiring vaccines for frontline staff amid an acute labor shortage.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 10, 2021

Make HUB suppliers a key part of your domestic-oriented supply chain

Don't treat a HUB sourcing strategy as a burden. Here are 5 ways to incorporate historically underutilized businesses into critical spend and operations.

By Rich Weissman • Sept. 9, 2021

Burlington's sourcing costs are up 78% over 2 years due to pandemic supply chain disruptions

Company executives laid out three reasons why supply chain costs are leading to high prices — and why they think price hikes won't last.

By Edwin Lopez • Sept. 1, 2021

Suppliers push price hikes through the chain in an inflationary environment

Passing costs on to the next buyer in the supply chain is the primary goal for manufacturers, but that isn't always possible.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 26, 2021

UPS delivers COVID-19 vaccines via temperature-controlled drone

Drones provide a speedy logistics option for time- and temperature-sensitive vaccine doses.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 25, 2021

Shortages and other challenges across liquor supply chain throw a wrench in summer rebound

"We’re at the mercy of the supply chain," said the CFO of Brown-Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel's and Woodford Reserve. 

By A.B. Brown • Aug. 19, 2021

Say hello to your pandemic price increase

Inflation, supply chain disruptions and changes in business strategies all point to higher prices. And that may be a good thing.

By Rich Weissman • Aug. 12, 2021

Under Armour on alert for product cancellations as sourcing challenges mount in Vietnam

A resurgence of COVID-19 in the country has Under Armour uneasy, but company execs said their diversified sourcing base adds resilience.

By A.B. Brown • Aug. 6, 2021

Tyson to require COVID-19 vaccinations for entire US workforce

The meat processor would be the largest food company in the country to mandate the shot, as the delta variant triggers a wave of new infections.

By Samantha Oller • Aug. 6, 2021

Mission Impastable: An improbable supply chain success story

Dan Pashman dreamed of making his own pasta shape. Then, the pandemic hit. Here's the story of how he persevered to create cascatelli despite sourcing and logistics hurdles.

By Jen A. Miller • Aug. 3, 2021