Operations Management

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    Daphne Howland/Supply Chain Dive
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    Macy’s to lay off nearly 1,000 at Connecticut fulfillment center

    The retailer is shuttering operations at two Cheshire sites, starting March 14.

    By • Updated 5 hours ago
  • A display of Birkenstock shoes on a table, in front of a wall of Birkenstock shoes and a leather bench.
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    Courtesy of Birkenstock
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    Birkenstock warns tariffs will hurt more in 2026

    The footwear maker expects selective price hikes, supply chain efficiencies and growth in the Asia-Pacific region to soften the impact.

    By • Jan. 15, 2026
  • Warehouse automation Explore the Trendlineâž”
    Trendline

    Warehouse automation

    Robotics and AI are two of the many tools warehouse operators are using to improve productivity.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • The Johnson & Johnson logo is displayed at company offices on October 17, 2023, in Irvine, California.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    J&J adds 2 US manufacturing plants to investment plans

    The pharmaceutical giant said it will build production facilities in North Carolina and Pennsylvania as part of its broader $55 billion investment commitment. 

    By Nathan Owens • Jan. 15, 2026
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    Daphne Howland/Supply Chain Dive
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    Macy’s closes remaining units at Connecticut distribution center

    The facility will cease all operations after the retailer completes layoffs, which are set to begin March 14. 

    By • Jan. 14, 2026
  • The EstĂ©e Lauder Cos. products on a pink background.
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    Courtesy of The Estée Lauder Cos.
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    AI, tech expand career options for women in supply chain

    Emerging technologies require new processes and operating models, creating a “huge opportunity” for women in the sector, says Berenice Vettore, global chief quality officer at The Estée Lauder Cos.

    By • Jan. 14, 2026
  • Diverse construction workers talk on a jobsite.
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    kali9/E+ via Getty Images
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    Hiring declines as employers take cautious view of new year

    Job growth is expected to be "modestly negative" in Q1 as tariffs, weaker immigration and heightened interest rates restrain demand, per Deloitte.

    By Jim Tyson , Alexei Alexis • Jan. 14, 2026
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    Courtesy of Aldi U.S.
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    Aldi to open 3 distribution centers by 2029

    The additions aim to support the grocery chain’s U.S. expansion plans, which include the opening of 180 stores by the end of 2026.

    By • Jan. 13, 2026
  • A lawn sign that reads "Now Hiring" is shown in the foreground, with lush palm trees in the background
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    2026 hiring outlook improves, but skills and AI are primary hurdles

    Half of respondents to an Express Employment Professionals and Harris Poll survey said that applicants’ lack of relevant experience made hiring challenging.

    By Ryan Golden • Jan. 13, 2026
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    Samuel Corum via Getty Images
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    Trump threatens 25% tariff on Iran’s trading partners

    The president said the duty would go into effect immediately, although no official documentation has been released to define the scope of the levies. 

    By • Updated Jan. 13, 2026
  • A person speaks while wearing a hat that says "USA".
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Trump admin clarifies scope of tariff refunds ahead of Supreme Court ruling

    Duties charged on goods from Brazil and India would also be eligible for refund should the court rule reimbursements necessary, according to a legal filing.

    By • Jan. 12, 2026
  • A department store building on a city corner, with people and cars.
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    Daphne Howland/Supply Chain Dive
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    Macy’s to close Oklahoma fulfillment center

    The Tulsa County facility is slated to shutter this spring, a company spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive.

    By • Jan. 12, 2026
  • UPS package handlers move shipments from a conveyor belt into package cars at the UPS Centennial Ground Hub on December 6, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    UPS to close or trim operations at 4 locations in ongoing network shakeup

    Facilities in North Carolina, Michigan and Alabama will be impacted by the carrier's consolidation plans, adding to dozens of closures enacted last year.

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Returns as a revenue engine: A playbook for margin recovery

    Employing a rule-based decision tree for returns can drive superior inventory profitability and sustainably, writes Sai Teja Yerapothina, a senior director of last-mile delivery at Walmart. 

    By Sai Teja Yerapothina • Jan. 9, 2026
  • Doors are fitted and checked during production at the Jaguar Land Rover factory on March 1, 2017 in Solihull, England. Jaguar Land Rover is relaunching certain operations following a September 2025 cyberattack.
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    Getty Images
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    Cyber risks grow as manufacturers turn to AI and cloud systems

    Data classification and encryption are essential shields for the highly targeted sector, experts said.

    By Sakshi Udavant • Jan. 8, 2026
  • Shipping containers of varying colors stacked on a ship.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    5 supply chain management trends to watch in 2026

    Following a year jam-packed with uncertainty, retailers and manufacturers will prioritize cost optimization amid a fragmenting global economic picture. 

    By • Jan. 8, 2026
  • Returned items being prepared for an outbound shipment at a Happy Returns hub.
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    Courtesy of Happy Returns
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    UPS’ Happy Returns pilots AI tool to halt decoy returns fraud

    The company's Return Vision software compares returned products with images from the retailer, a capability being used by Everlane and others.

    By • Jan. 7, 2026
  • A laptop screen shows the word "ChatGPT" and three columns of blurred-out text
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Employees say they’re fuzzy on their employers’ AI strategy

    Front-line workers in sectors such as retail, healthcare and manufacturing are less likely to use AI than those in “knowledge-based” jobs, according to Gallup. 

    By Carolyn Crist • Jan. 7, 2026
  • A Volvo Group regional distribution center.
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    Courtesy of Volvo Group
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    Volvo to open $37.7M regional distribution hub in Washington state

    The truck manufacturer aims to optimize parts delivery for dealers in the U.S. Northwest and Western Canada. 

    By • Jan. 6, 2026
  • The Jim Beam distillery is pictured on a grey day.
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    Luke Sharrett via Getty Images
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    Jim Beam halts production at flagship Kentucky distillery

    The bourbon maker is pausing operations for a year at its main manufacturing plant as it battles declining alcohol consumption and high barrel-aging taxes.

    By Laurel Deppen • Jan. 6, 2026
  • An outdoor petroleum facility.
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    Courtesy of ExxonMobil
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    US manufacturing activity drops to lowest point of 2025: PMI

    Weak demand and tariff effects are weighing on companies as the U.S.’ recent military operation in Venezuela adds more uncertainty to the mix.

    By Nathan Owens • Jan. 6, 2026
  • People walk by a kitchen cabinet display at an Ikea store on Sept. 26, 2025, in Emeryville, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    White House delays furniture tariff increases for a year

    The U.S. is pushing back duty increases due to "productive negotiations" with trading partners, keeping the current 25% rate in effect.

    By • Jan. 2, 2026
  • A brown building with two windows and a big door sitting in a parking lot. A sign says "Duluth Trading Co" in red letters.
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    Getty Images
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    Duluth Trading’s efforts to rightsize inventory receipts pay off

    The workwear retailer plans to have its stock reflect more of its core products and will cut SKUs throughout 2026.

    By • Dec. 23, 2025
  • An Academy Sports + Outdoors storefront.
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    Courtesy of Academy Sports and Outdoors
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    Academy Sports and Outdoors touts cargo frontloading wins

    Although it was “sweaty knuckles” at first, moving goods ahead of tariff escalations enabled the retailer to sell items at last year’s prices, EVP and CFO Earl Ford said.

    By • Dec. 23, 2025
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    Michael Swensen via Getty Images
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    Year in pictures

    Tariffs, strikes and tragedies: How 2025 transformed supply chains

    Supply chains faced tumult, with changes to U.S. trade policies and labor unrest contributing to a mosaic of uncertainty. Here is a visual look at the busy year.

    By , , , , , • Dec. 22, 2025
  • Giant Delivers truck outside a home
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    Courtesy of Giant Food
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    Giant Food and The Giant Company to shutter centralized e-commerce centers

    The Ahold Delhaize-owned chains plan to stop operating six facilities in early 2026 as they shift to in-store fulfillment.

    By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 19, 2025