Unilever pledges to halve use of virgin plastic by 2025

CEO Alan Jope said the effort will require "a fundamental rethink in our approach to our packaging and products," but Greenpeace is unsure the impact will be quite so grand. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 8, 2019

Unemployment drops to 3.5% — the lowest in 50 years

Stagnant wages, however, remain a source of concern for some experts.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Oct. 7, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Warehouse automation

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

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Frito-Lay aims for zero emissions at California freight hub

As part of the company's goal to cut emissions 20% by 2030, Frito-Lay plans to remove and replace all diesel powered freight equipment at its Modesto, California facility.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 7, 2019

John Deere lays off 220 workers citing reduced demand

The OEM has forecasted production capacity reductions for two quarters as the U.S.-China trade war has dampened farmer sentiment and appetite for new equipment investments. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Dec. 10, 2019

Over half of shoppers use subscription box services

Dollar Shave Club leads the pack as more retailers and brands introduce subscription services.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 4, 2019

Patent Pending: Walmart plans for drone delivery, others tackle faster picking and the end of lost inventory

Every week supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future of supply chains. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny. On Fridays, we'll share a few in our new column. 

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 4, 2019

Bed Bath & Beyond to cut $1B in inventory, hundreds of millions in cost as more stores close

The troubled home retailer will close 60 additional stores by end of the year, but executives hope inventory reduction and cost of good savings will stop the bleeding. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 4, 2019

Customers are demanding more personalization and lower prices. How can supply chains deliver?

Today, customers everywhere want personalized products and services, and most critically, they want them at affordable prices. For companies to meet this demand, they need a sustainable, flexible supply chain model.

By Suman Sarkar • Oct. 3, 2019

Omnichannel push ushers in first profit growth in 2 years for H&M

The fast-fashion retailer is opening fewer stores, fueling e-commerce and doubling down on sustainability — and shoppers also like the clothes.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 3, 2019

US manufacturing hits lowest level since 2009: ISM

The Institute for Supply Management found domestic manufacturing contracted again in September after low output in August signaled the industry's transition from "slowing growth" to "decline."

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 2, 2019

More dexterous robots make quick work of food manufacturing

Robots are capable of more precise movements, opening up new possibilities for safely processing and packaging food from chicken to Peeps.

By Craig Guillot • Oct. 1, 2019

Banana Republic, Athleta launch BOPIS services

During a pilot program, Gap Inc. reported the brands received add-on sales when customers picked up orders in store.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 1, 2019

Blackstone to acquire Colony Capital e-commerce logistics assets for $5.9B

The assets include roughly 60 million square feet of last-mile logistics assets in 26 U.S. markets concentrated in California, Florida, Georgia, northern New Jersey and Texas. 

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 30, 2019

Rent the Runway: Fulfillment software upgrade behind shipment delays

In the race to improve e-commerce fulfillment and logistics, companies can experience technological difficulties because of the difficulty maintaining full-speed operations during a back-end overhaul.

By Morgan Forde • Updated Oct. 9, 2019

XPO shifts M&A strategy to focus on smaller deals after stock price drop: Analyst

The company is reportedly focusing instead on reducing debt and investing in automation to reduce labor costs.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 30, 2019

How grocery pickup is evolving

As demand grows along with competition, retailers are trying to erase wait times, improve fulfillment and even reach shoppers away from the store.

By Lauren Manning • Sept. 30, 2019

Case study: Frito-Lay whets students' appetites for manufacturing jobs

Thanks to the apprenticeship program, the company has brought a number of young workers on board for highly skilled positions.

By Riia O'Donnell • Sept. 27, 2019

DHL: Global trade to slow over next 3 months

DHL's Global Trade Barometer index sits at 47, indicating overall negative growth.

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 27, 2019

Walmart opens training academy in distribution center

The retailer is zeroing in on the need for skills training and development in its supply chain. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 27, 2019

Cold storage: a hot construction niche

Demand on several fronts is driving both new construction and renovation of cold storage facilities, which take longer to build than standard warehouses.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 27, 2019

The Backroom: Riding the tariff rollercoaster

No business likes uncertainty. Over the past several months, retailers that rely on goods shipped to the U.S. from China — a significant swath of the industry — have faced a highly uncertain landscape.

By Liza Casabona • Sept. 26, 2019

Food companies align with international sustainability goals but need to do more, study finds

The Barilla Foundation noted a lack of detailed supply chain analysis as well as insufficient evidence of companies' corporate citizenship.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 26, 2019

Wakefern expands automated inventory tracking pilot to 50 stores

Cameras and computer vision generate hourly data on out-of-stocks, letting store employees focus on customer service instead of inventory management.

By Lauren Manning • Sept. 26, 2019

AutoZone raises prices to offset tariff costs

The auto parts retailer reported a jump in sales in its recent earnings call despite raising prices to mitigate tariff impact.

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 25, 2019

How resilient buildings drive resilient supply chains

Supply chain operations can only be assured to the extent that individual nodes in the network are prepared to weather both literal and proverbial storms.

By Kate Sherwood, VP and Head of Sales North America at Centrica Business Solutions • Sept. 24, 2019