Alibaba buys stake in Chinese parcel carrier STO Express

This is the fourth investment in a logistics firm by Alibaba, as it seeks to strengthen shipper-carrier bonds and take greater control of its supply chain. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 13, 2019

Rising revenue on all rungs of drug supply chain, Pew says

As pharmaceutical spending and PBMs take fire in Washington, the report aims to suss out the players pocketing a share as drugs make their way through the system.   

By Les Masterson • March 11, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating evolving global trade and tariff policies, rising costs and operational uncertainty across supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Imports drop to annual lows with tariff hike on hold

Data from the National Retail Federation provide key insights into the retail supply chain that will help inform critical business decisions.

By Rich Weissman • March 11, 2019

Rue21 to launch BOPIS in over 700 stores

The retailer's large-scale commitment to click-and-collect comes as more consumers across the sector are engaging with the service.

By Dan O'Shea • March 11, 2019

SAP, Bumble Bee Foods team up to track tuna using blockchain

Consumers will be able to scan a QR code on the final product to find out where their fish was caught and how it made it to the store. 

By Matt Leonard • March 11, 2019

Will shipper-carrier tension melt away in favor of collaboration?

A noticeable sense of underlying tension among supply chain partners permeated sessions at TPM 2019 in Long Beach, California. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 11, 2019

Walmart planning new returns process at front of stores

The retailer's U.S. CEO said customers will be able to get refunds from employees stationed just inside store entrances.

By Dan O'Shea • March 8, 2019

Walmart tightens on-time, in-full rate for suppliers to 87%

The retailer toughened its OTIF policy from the previous requirement of 85% as it seeks greater control over inventory. 

By Matt Leonard • March 8, 2019

Infrastructure, congestion cost carriers billions in fuel

Highway congestion costs trucking companies billions in additional fuel spend, according to a new study by the American Transportation Research Institute.

By Barry Hochfelder • March 6, 2019

FreshDirect expands suburban delivery and same-day service

The e-grocer will serve additional markets around Washington, D.C. and Connecticut, and announced a new speedy delivery service three years after launching FoodKick.

By Krishna Thakker • March 6, 2019

Your own robot to pick up packages? Amazon is on it.

The live-in robot described in Amazon's new patent would meet the delivery truck and securely take parcels back inside.

By Matt Leonard • March 5, 2019

Chinese carriers move autonomous vehicles into daily use

China Post and Deppon Express say this is the first use of this technology for commercial purposes in the country. 

By Matt Leonard • March 5, 2019

CEVA Logistics to run IKEA's New York Distribution Centre

The distribution center will support purchases from IKEA's Manhattan Planning Studio, the first of its kind in the United States.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • March 4, 2019

Amazon Day expands to all Prime members — and offers an operational win-win

The negotiation between speed, convenience, waste and a longer fulfillment time horizon is the next evolution of retail fulfillment.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 1, 2019

UPS launches fulfillment platform for small and medium sellers

The eFulfillment platform enables sellers to manage inventory across several marketplaces and customize delivery times for their products.

By Matt Leonard • March 1, 2019

Wayfair will open new last-mile facilities every month in 2019

Though net loss is growing for the company, Wayfair's CEO said the e-commerce giant is playing a long game — seizing control of its supply chain from both ends. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 1, 2019

Boeing shuffles supplies ahead of Brexit

The U.K. government raised the possibility of an extension to the March 29 deadline, but analysts say that would further add to uncertainty for businesses. 

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 27, 2019

FedEx debuts autonomous same-day delivery bot

The robot is FedEx's latest expansion of its B2C capabilities and ticks all the boxes of sustainability, autonomous operations and quick delivery.

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 27, 2019

Home Depot reaches 70% same-day delivery capability in US

Investments in new warehouses and in-store pickup lockers are part of the company's plan to achieve same-day delivery nationwide by 2022. 

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 27, 2019

Foot Locker CEO explains the trouble with mini-hubs

To fulfill e-commerce orders with the speed consumers expect, Foot Locker is opening "mini-hubs," but CEO Dick Johnson said more precise fulfillment requires a deeper understanding of inventory needs. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 26, 2019

Walmart bets on new high-tech consolidation center to win at 'inventory flow'

The center acts as a midway point in the supply chain and allows the retailer to move inventory based on real-time demand. 

By Jen A. Miller • Feb. 26, 2019

Most BOPIS shoppers make additional purchases in store

A study by return provider Doddle found that 85% of shoppers using the service buy more products when they're picking up purchases.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 26, 2019

Lineage Logistics to acquire Preferred Freezer to be largest cold storage company

Consolidation's goal is to build economies of scale and an increase of distribution nodes, but the permanence of warehousing runs at odds with the temporality of the items they protect. 

By Andy Burt • Feb. 26, 2019

Home Depot backs crowdsourced delivery startup Roadie

Roadie's gig-based "on-the-way" model not only theoretically reduces the carbon footprint of same-day delivery service, but it also allows retailers to flex up and down their delivery capacity as needed. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 22, 2019

FedEx, Rent the Runway team up on 'extra hours' service

Fast fulfillment and shipping is especially crucial for a company whose business model is built on rentals.

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 22, 2019