Operations

Nordstrom leverages pack and hold inventory to mitigate supply chain risk

The retailer is revisiting an inventory strategy that helped it during an expansion period when it needed enough items for new store openings.

By Max Garland • Dec. 7, 2021

'This is the time where supply chain comes to the fore': Under Armour's COO on 20 months of tumult

Colin Browne says the pandemic sped up operational changes already underway at the sportswear brand. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 7, 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

Oatly plans 3 new facilities by 2023 to combat supply shortages

The company aims to self-manufacture 50% to 60% of total volume as it looks to build inventory and control costs. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 7, 2021

Hiring momentum in manufacturing aids November production

Material shortages and high demand are still dragging down the sector, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 2, 2021

Allbirds boosts inventories by 55% due to long lead times, high demand

The shoe and apparel company has relied on careful planning, secondary sourcing and regional diversification to keep product flowing.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 2, 2021

Furniture retailers struggle with depleted inventories after Vietnam lockdowns

Williams-Sonoma and La-Z-Boy expect continued inventory delays as factories work to ramp up production. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 1, 2021

Pandemic opens the door to investments in wearables for supply chain workers

Wearable technology offers a treasure trove of data for supply chain managers. But the question remains how to translate the data into decisions.

By Jen A. Miller • Nov. 30, 2021

Walgreens to open $30M MFC in Kansas City region

The Liberty, Missouri, location is one of nine micro-fulfillment sites that the pharmacy store chain plans to open across the U.S. by the end of 2022.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 30, 2021

Returns volume and costs set to climb in pricey supply chain environment, survey says

Those expenses pile onto "rising freight costs, capacity constraints and delays," the executive director of the Reverse Logistics Association said.

By Max Garland • Nov. 30, 2021

Amazon, Walmart among 9 companies to receive FTC order for supply chain data

The information the FTC will solicit is at the forefront of supply chain managers' day-to-day operations, such as the disruptions to obtaining and transporting products.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 30, 2021

Sysco targets transportation and production emissions in sustainability goals

Supply chain activities generate 98% of the food distributor's greenhouse gas emissions, according to its 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility report.

By Max Garland • Nov. 29, 2021

How a global manufacturer automated their supplier management process in days

 Supplier uncertainty led to a sudden need for visibility. See how this manufacturer reached it in days.

Nov. 29, 2021

JM Smucker to invest $1.1B in manufacturing, distribution center for Uncrustables

The company joins other CPGs expanding domestic manufacturing to add capacity and meet increased demand. 

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 23, 2021

Amazon rolls out recyclable packaging for cold-chain grocery orders

The new shipping material is produced in a variety of U.S. locations, reducing the distance it needs to travel to reach Whole Foods locations and Amazon Fresh grocery hubs and stores.

By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 23, 2021

Want to minimize supply chain risk? Become a disruption shaper.

Businesses have figured out how to reduce the rate of disruption to their supply chains — something most leaders dismiss as even a possibility, Gartner's director of supply chain research writes. 

By Suzie Petrusic • Nov. 23, 2021

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

Tupperware to idle factories as it works through inventory backlog

The home products company had stocked up during the first half of the year to prepare for a surge in demand. That surge has yet to come.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 22, 2021

8 industry reactions: How the infrastructure deal could change supply chains

Biden's signature paves the way for $17 billion in port infrastructure and $25 billion for airports. Here's what trade associations are saying.

By Alejandra Salgado • Nov. 19, 2021

Resin buyers struggle with high prices and short supply

Businesses have stockpiled product, used fewer materials and bolstered internal manufacturing to cope in a tight market.

By Meena Thiruvengadam • Nov. 18, 2021

Kroger shares transaction-level data to help CPGs plan for demand

The grocer unveiled a collaborative cloud tool that aims to help clients make smarter decisions about everything from production levels to marketing spending amid supply chain disruptions.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 18, 2021

Starbucks adds suppliers, boosts production to maintain holiday inventory

The coffee chain is working with suppliers to invest in wages and ensure factories are staffed, COO John Culver said.

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 17, 2021

Electronics manufacturers expect to hike prices again in 2022 as material, labor costs rise

Two-thirds of respondents to IPC's survey had raised prices by an average of 14.5% in 2021. Sustained pressures on profit margins have some manufacturers considering additional increases.

By Max Garland • Nov. 16, 2021

Williams Sonoma debuts shipping membership program

For $99 per year, members have access to free shipping and other perks. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris and Alejandra Salgado • Nov. 16, 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

Your top supply chain visibility questions – answered

Explore three supply chain visibility challenges and find out how to solve them.

Nov. 15, 2021