Operations
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Lowe's looks to improve in-stock status with more efficient supply chain
Improving in-stock status in stores has been CEO Marvin Ellison's number one goal since he took the helm at the home improvement retailer in June 2018.
By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 22, 2019 -
Target's same-day fulfillment growing at twice the rate of last year
Target's varied fulfillment services, which include in-store pickup, drive-up and Shipt same-day delivery, accounted for 1.5% of the retailer's sales growth in the second quarter.
By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 22, 2019 -
Kohl's 12-quarter inventory reduction streak ends
As new tariffs encourage inventory pull-forward and fulfillment commitments for e-commerce orders speed up, retailers have had to rethink where to store inventory and what healthy stock levels look like.
By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 21, 2019 -
Del Monte to lay off 844 workers, close plants in major supply chain shift
The company said its new "asset-light strategy will lead to more efficient and lower cost operations."
By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 21, 2019 -
Robotic kiosk opens door to automated online grocery fulfillment
Cleveron, the company behind Walmart's pickup towers, has developed a robotic pickup kiosk that features two temperature zones and can retrieve an order within 20 seconds.
By Lauren Manning • Aug. 21, 2019 -
Amazon Robotics funds app measuring warehouse worker health risks
The app uses an AI algorithm to generate a "risk score" to help workers and warehouse managers better allocate activities to the growing ranks of robots joining the workforce.
By Morgan Forde • Aug. 20, 2019 -
From kicks to cars: 3D printing is upending supply chains
As additive manufacturing goes mainstream, supply chains are presented with tough decisions. Are the speed and flexibility worth the cost?
By Gary Wollenhaupt • Aug. 20, 2019 -
Nestlé cuts 360 workers — 4,000 layoffs expected in logistics shift
Nestlé is on a mission to streamline its operations, and changing how it distributes frozen foods is one way it's looking to simplify and save.
By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 20, 2019 -
3D printing can reduce lead times and inventory, but it's not for everything
More than 40% of 1,300 3D printing users cited lower lead times as a benefit of 3D printing in a recent survey.
By Matt Leonard • Aug. 19, 2019 -
Kroger expands Express store pilot with Walgreens
The grocer will put mini stores inside 35 Walgreens in Knoxville, Tennessee while the drug retailer’s health and beauty brands will hit select Kroger locations in the same market.
By Jeff Wells • Aug. 19, 2019 -
Walmart's omnichannel investments pay off in Q2
The quarter vindicated Walmart's investments in omnichannel capabilities and digital sales as U.S. comps rose 2.8% during a trying period for other retailers.
By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 15, 2019 -
Macy's draws on Google Cloud data management, analytics for warehouse optimization
Developed in-house, Macy's warehouse management software will initially roll out to distribution centers supporting its off-price Backstage stores.
By Naomi Eide • Aug. 15, 2019 -
Advance Auto Parts mitigates tariff impact through supplier collaboration, price hikes
The auto parts retailer's CFO highlighted how, even though gross profit margin declined in Q2, advanced preparation and reliance of in-house inventory will help it weather the storm.
By Andy Burt • Aug. 14, 2019 -
Technology permeates the cold chain warehouse — but it has its limits
At DHL's cold storage facility in Chicago, technologies such as RFID and dimensionalizer machines are designed to withstand cold temperatures and reduce the chill-factor for human labor.
By Jen A. Miller • Aug. 13, 2019 -
Tyson shifts production after plant fire to 'keep supply chain full'
A dip in processing capacity will likely manifest in a depleted and pricier spot market for beef, according to consultants.
By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 13, 2019 -
4 ways to monitor the cold chain inside the warehouse
The grocery and food sectors are leading in the adoption of cold chain monitoring, but companies must balance the cost of new technology with ROI, especially for low margin products like produce.
By Matt Leonard • Aug. 09, 2019 -
Tyson looks to robotics for the future of meatpacking
As meat packers struggle to keep production on pace with demand, engineers at Tyson are working to create robots that will ease staff shortages and do jobs that may be dangerous or highly repetitive.
By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 09, 2019 -
Kraft Heinz new CEO: Less cost-cutting, more supply chain visibility
Miguel Patricio called the company's earnings results "unacceptable" and named operational efficiencies and accurate forecasting as the first steps to improving the bottom line.
By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 08, 2019 -
Deep Dive8 ways warehouse construction has evolved
21st century warehouses require specialized construction techniques, precise scheduling and highly experienced teams to meet industries' expectations.
By Jenn Goodman • Aug. 08, 2019 -
Price, delivery options drive consumer online shopping decisions
Ninety percent of consumers research products before making online purchases, with 58% citing Amazon as the top resource, per a recent UPS report.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 08, 2019 -
S&P: 10% list 4 tariffs more damaging than previous 3
Technology firms are particularly at risk, as funds directed to moving global supply chains lead to less money available to invest in R&D.
By Morgan Forde • Aug. 08, 2019 -
Choosing the right fulfillment option is about weighing cost and speed
Target is fulfilling a majority of online orders from its stores, but that strategy may not be the ideal choice for every retailer.
By Matt Leonard • Aug. 06, 2019 -
For a fast supply chain, Target is betting on in-store fulfillment
Retailers are putting physical stores at the center of e-commerce fulfillment and delivery, but the strategy requires a careful balance.
By Craig Guillot • Aug. 06, 2019 -
Agreement reached to export more US beef to the EU
If the deal is approved by the European Parliament, annual exports of hormone-free beef to the 28 member countries could increase to about 18,500 metric tons, worth about $420 million.
By Cathy Siegner • Aug. 06, 2019 -
USPS patent envisions sorting robots aboard mail trucks
The robot could replace some of the sorting tasks generally performed by humans in a U.S. postal building, potentially cutting down on the delivery time and labor required to deliver a package.
By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 06, 2019
