Operations

As disruptions accelerate, supply chains learn to measure them

A new wave of KPIs is emerging — such as time-to-recovery — to help supply managers benchmark their supply chains' resiliency.

By Craig Guillot • Nov. 13, 2018
Amazon to build supply chain hub in Nashville

The tech giant said it would build an Operations Center of Excellence in the Tennessee capital, in addition to new headquarters in New York City and Northern Virginia.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 13, 2018
Walmart to open an in-store AI lab

The retail giant is exploring several applications for artificial intelligence, including the ability to track and replenish low supplies of inventory.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 12, 2018
Alibaba rings up $31B on 10th Singles Day

The Chinese e-commerce giant broke another record during the 24-hour sale holiday, fulfilling more than one billion orders.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 12, 2018
Column
If your supply chain works, thank a veteran

Beyond great hires, the military gives more to the supply chain than you might think.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 09, 2018
Consumer inventory visibility drops as omnichannel heats up

Retailers are choosing to show online customers passive, rather than active, inventory visibility, a study finds.

By Jacqueline Smith Renfrow
CPG companies need close partnerships, clear ROI to 'win' in emerging markets

Far too often supply chain management is a passive participant in servicing the customer when they need to be an active one.

By Rich Weissman • Nov. 08, 2018
Veterans bring skills and 'can-do' attitude to supply chain jobs

There's a golden opportunity for military logisticians to continue their careers and play a key role in keeping supply chains staffed with competent professionals.

By Barry Hochfelder • Nov. 08, 2018
How minimum wage hikes in 2 states will affect supply chains

Voters approved raising the minimum wage in Arkansas and Missouri, both of which have notable corporate residents and a significant number of warehouses.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 07, 2018
Robots and software are improving warehouse ROI

This year, companies budgeted more for capital spending on materials handling. How did they spend it?

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Nov. 06, 2018
Baltimore warehouse tragedy draws attention to Amazon's safety record

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health earlier this year put Amazon at the top of its "Dirty Dozen" list of companies that "put workers and communities at risk due to unsafe practices."

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 06, 2018
Lowe's fills vacant CIO role with retail tech veteran

Seemantini Godbole fills the CIO role after the home improvement company quietly announced its vacancy in its Q2 FY18 earnings call.

By Samantha Ann Schwartz • Nov. 05, 2018
Sealed Air to make packaging 100% reusable or recyclable by 2025

The company is looking to expand reuse models and work with supply chain partners to reduce plastic waste.

By Barry Hochfelder • Nov. 02, 2018
Column
US elections: Just another flawed supply chain?

If your supply chain ran an election, would everyone get to vote?

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 02, 2018
Retailers leverage warehouses for new pre-purchase model: BOSS

Pre-purchase schemes like BOPIS and BOSS will bolster a big peak season at retail for those with the right supply chain setup.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 31, 2018
Albertsons announces plans for automated e-commerce fulfillment

The grocer will build a 10,000-square-foot micro-fulfillment center inside one of its stores early next year.

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 31, 2018
Hershey's new supply chain recipe

A modern Hershey is an expensive Hershey, but as long as sales are growing execs still say things are sweet.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 30, 2018
Schnucks to expand use of in-store inventory robots

The Midwestern retailer said it would put the aisle-scanning Tally in 15 stores following a successful pilot last summer.

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 30, 2018
Column
Ch-ch-ch-change is coming fast and furious to supply chains

Building a culture that embraces change, even the little changes, will provide companies with a fighting chance to handle the inevitable larger ones speeding down the road.

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 29, 2018
Which apparel players have the fastest lead times?

Speeding up and segmenting development processes so teams are working on fewer collections at once is just one way to generate faster results, according to an executive survey.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 29, 2018
Autonomous delivery and e-commerce keep Kroger 'relevant'

In a keynote session at Groceryshop in Las Vegas, Yael Cosset said the retailer's collaboration and investments are all aimed at becoming the "most relevant" offer for shoppers.

By Krishna Thakker • Oct. 29, 2018
Column
Halloween at Hershey: A trick or a treat?

Walking into a chocolate factory a week before Halloween offers an interesting window into what a well-planned peak season should feel like.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 26, 2018
Airbus hits snags with aircraft production, deliveries

In complex aviation supply chains, each link blames its suppliers for delays and OEMs can't seem to catch up.

By Barry Hochfelder • Oct. 25, 2018
UPS doubles down on automation ahead of peak season

The logistics provider is adding 400,000 pieces per hour of additional sort capacity to handle an anticipated 800 million packages this peak season.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 25, 2018
Target hits the bullseye with agile tech and operations

The retailer has had to rise to the demand of the 21st century — a blend of "digital, home and store."

By Samantha Ann Schwartz • Oct. 25, 2018