Operations Management

  • A brown building with two windows and a big door sitting in a parking lot. A sign says "Duluth Trading Co" in red letters.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Duluth Trading boosts inventory health with SKU cuts, enterprise planning

    The workwear retailer reduced inventory levels 25% year over year due to rightsizing buys, clearing excess stock and optimizing receipt scheduling.

    By • June 26, 2026
  • A Claire's storefront with an open door showing brightly colored accessories inside
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Claire’s opens Illinois distribution center to boost inventory flow

    The nearly 250,000-square-foot Elgin facility is equipped to reduce handling touchpoints while increasing product visibility, a spokesperson said.

    By • June 25, 2026
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning concept Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    AI in Supply Chain Management

    Warehouse automation, logistics management and procurement processes are just a few of the ways companies are using AI to streamline their supply chains.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • Fed Chair Kevin Warsh speaks on a TV screen in the background at the New York Stock Exchange
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Manufacturers balance costs, inventory amid uncertain rate environment

    As companies watch to see if the Federal Reserve may change its posture on interest rates later in the year, and ripple effects from the Middle East continue, they’re getting more comfortable navigating the complexity.

    By Keesa Schreane • June 23, 2026
  • Bottles of Kraft Heinz ketchup and mustard are displayed side by side. One bottle reads "Heinz Estd. 1869 Tomato Ketchup 57 Varieties." The other bottle's label is blurred.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kraft Heinz merges procurement and supply chain units

    The company named Janelle Aydin global chief procurement and supply chain officer, effective July 1, as it reorganizes its global operational model.

    By • June 23, 2026
  • A display of clothing in the interior of an apparel store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Lands' End
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lands’ End warehouse system rollout spurs temporary backlog

    The snag has since been resolved, with the retailer fulfilling some orders within a day of using the implemented system, per CFO Bernard McCracken.

    By • June 23, 2026
  • A person in black protective gear on a red and black motorcycle parked on a dirt road.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Harley-Davidson
    Image attribution tooltip

    Harley-Davidson to reshore Revolution Max engine production

    The company will also bring manufacturing of its Pan America, Sportster S and Nightster models, which the engine powers, to its Pennsylvania and Wisconsin facilities as part of its financial recovery and growth strategy. 

    By • June 22, 2026
  • Kevin Warsh
    Image attribution tooltip
    Roberto Schmidt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fed ends bias toward more easing, holds benchmark rate steady

    Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh repeatedly said the central bank’s monetary policy committee will push down inflation toward its 2% goal.

    By Jim Tyson • June 18, 2026
  • A building with the Nestlé logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Nestlé USA
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nestlé ups automation use with latest distribution center

    The 700,000-square-foot facility features the Hot Pockets maker’s largest automated storage and retrieval system and is part of a $25 billion investment plan.

    By • June 18, 2026
  • An aerial view of a Burlington distribution center and an empty parking lot.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burlington Stores
    Image attribution tooltip

    Burlington opens high-tech distribution center in Georgia

    The 2 million-square-foot facility features sortation and automated systems along with custom software to increase supply chain speed and throughput.

    By • June 17, 2026
  • Exterior sign of Bristol-Myers Squibb
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Bristol-Myers Squibb
    Image attribution tooltip

    Inside Bristol Myers’ AI-powered procurement overhaul

    The pharmaceutical giant cut procurement timelines from months to weeks while challenging conventional wisdom on AI data readiness.

    By Alexei Alexis • June 17, 2026
  • A commercial building displays a “Boston Scientific” sign on its exterior. The structure features a smooth white facade with reflective windows and minimal architectural detailing, set against a partly cloudy sky.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alamy
    Image attribution tooltip

    Boston Scientific to build Indiana distribution center

    The planned logistics site, near a principal manufacturing facility, will handle global distribution of Boston Scientific’s medical devices.

    By Nick Paul Taylor • June 16, 2026
  • U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shake hands after concluding trade negotiations on July 27, 2025, in Turnberry, Scotland
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    EU gives final approval to install US tariff deal

    The bloc plans to remove tariffs and begin providing preferential market access for a range of U.S. goods by the end of the month, EU officials told Supply Chain Dive.

    By • Updated June 25, 2026
  • A stack of cardboard boxes are wrapped in plastic in a machine.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Walmart
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walmart plans $8M phase of Texas distribution center remodel

    The latest step of the renovation includes installing new electrical and material-handling equipment and is set to begin in August.

    By • June 16, 2026
  • Boxes of Kleenex-brand tissues stacked on a store shelf. One group of boxes are labeled "Kleenex ultra soft" and another is labeled "Kleenex cooling + aloe."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kimberly-Clark credits supply chain for productivity gains

    The Kleenex-maker said simplifying its value stream, optimizing its network and scaling automation have been key contributors to a five-year improvement plan. 

    By • June 15, 2026
  • Center store aisle in a grocery store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Afresh
    Image attribution tooltip

    Grocery Outlet turns to AI to modernize supply chain

    The discounter will use Afresh’s ordering technology across its store categories to support its quickly rotating assortment.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • June 15, 2026
  • An overhead shot of a shipping container yard off of a harbor.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Karl Hendon/GettyImages

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Crisis24 AIIA

    Your supply chain has a visibility problem. Your executives have a decision problem.

    Supply chain leaders have more data than ever and less clarity. The gap is costing them.

    June 15, 2026
  • President Donald Trump holds up his hands in the Oval Office of the White House on June 11, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Federal court temporarily upholds Trump’s 10% global tariff

    The federal appeals court blocked a previous order stopping collection of the duties for two importers and the state of Washington until an appeal is completed.

    By • June 12, 2026
  • Large amount of US dollars isolated on a black background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Inflation jumps 4.2%, spurred by war-induced surge in energy prices

    Rising prices have begun to erode gains in real wages in recent years and weaken consumer purchasing power for all goods and services.

    By Jim Tyson • June 11, 2026
  • A person walks on a sidewalk near a wall that has letters spelling out "Court of International Trade Watson Courthouse."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tariff refunds may soon cover more entries — but not without a fight

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection could return funds by the end of July for finally liquidated entries, although it may depend on an appeal by the federal government.

    By • Updated June 24, 2026
  • Inside a beverage facility that sells boba teas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Gong cha
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Gong cha overhauled its supply chain for US growth

    The bubble tea brand has standardized its supply chain playbook by moving to a direct franchising system, according to Alan Davis, director of supply chain for the Americas.

    By • June 9, 2026
  • An image of inside a fulfillment center.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Cart.com
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why Tommy John centralized its fulfillment operations

    The brand’s shift from using multiple fulfillment partners to a single provider closed visibility gaps, its CFO told Supply Chain Dive.

    By • June 9, 2026
  • Holding an audit form & pen
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by amfori
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by amfori

    In 2025, 80% of amfori BSCI-audited factories fell short on working hours

    Excessive overtime in supply chains is driving reputational and financial exposure. Here’s why.

    June 8, 2026
  • People sit in a coffee shop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Adam Gray via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks ditches AI inventory system after just 9 months

    The coffee giant is ending its computer vision inventory counting system — which employees called “unreliable” — in favor of traditional stock-keeping methods, Reuters reported. 

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 4, 2026
  • The outside of an AutoZone auto parts store,
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    AutoZone’s distribution strategy drives sales gains

    The auto parts retailer has made headway on faster store fulfillment as it continues to expand its roster of mega hubs.

    By • June 4, 2026
  • Rodney Scott, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, appears before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on April 16, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Heather Diehl via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Trump admin appeals aspects of tariff refund order

    The Department of Justice said the Court of International Trade lacks the authority to mandate refunds for all finally liquidated entries.

    By • Updated June 3, 2026