Shoppers are judging retailers by their returns process

Almost all shoppers said the return experience influences whether they shop at a given retailer again, according to a study from Voxware.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 19, 2018

UPS: Returns to peak on Dec. 19

The initial spike in returns will precede a second wave in early January, driving retailers to cement their reverse logistics strategies.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 19, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating evolving global trade and tariff policies, rising costs and operational uncertainty across supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

FedEx will offer buyouts amid squeezed margins

The logistics company expects to save up to $275 million each year beginning in 2020 as a result of voluntary buyouts offered to staff.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 19, 2018

DHL unveils its supply chain of the future

Strategic adoption of robots, AI and self-driving vehicles will bring flexibility and reduced costs for omnichannel companies.

By Craig Guillot • Dec. 18, 2018

How the world's 'most sustainable' denim producer saves $400K per year

The supplier's CEO said sustainably must be part of the fundamental strategy of a company in order to come up with solutions that are both sustainable and make business sense.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 18, 2018

AI could deliver $300B in benefits for retailers, study says

Although operations represent only 26% of artificial intelligence use cases today, they are among the most profitable. 

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Dec. 17, 2018

Ulta's inventory reduction strategy on a 'multi-year path'

Like so many retailers adjusting to the new pace of omnichannel retail, Ulta finds building the supply chain it needs to compete comes at a cost.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 17, 2018

Food manufacturing is hungry for workers

As today's job seekers look for an integrative culture and benefits like education, the once-stable industry is struggling to find people and keep them from leaving.

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 17, 2018

Will Amazon warehouse workers in NYC unionize?

A labor union and some Staten Island fulfillment center workers are slamming Amazon's business practices, but Amazon says the sentiment is "not a fair representation of the vast majority of the employees."

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 14, 2018

Lowe's supply chain overhaul starts in Nashville

The retailer opened a warehouse large enough to contain 22 football fields, which strategically positions it to ship to 75% of the country within two days.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 14, 2018

Think tank: Employers retain power despite a tight labor market

Consolidation in industries and policy changes have eroded workers' power, said panelists at an event hosted by the Economic Policy Institute and Open Markets Institute. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 13, 2018

What is the business case for computer vision in the supply chain?

As part of our Influencers Roundtable series, supply chain consultants discuss the ROI of emerging technologies. Up next: computer vision.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 13, 2018

Rapid price changes make retailers more vulnerable to shocks

A Harvard Business School professor found retailers are now shifting prices every 3.6 months and said the practice may have an impact on margins.

By Craig Guillot • Dec. 11, 2018

What's next for RFID?

Now mature, the technology may be ready for prime time – but it may have to compete with, or complement, new innovations. 

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Dec. 11, 2018

In-store tech can help after operations mishaps, survey says

Shoppers cited out of stock inventory and long checkout lines as the top reasons for abandoning their in-store shopping journey.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 11, 2018

The supply chain behind turning unusual materials into textiles

Businesses are mining waste products for fiber production, giving rise to dozens of new alternative fibers on the market made from everything from mushroom roots to spoiled milk. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 11, 2018

Farm to label: Turning corn into textiles

About 400 million tons of corn goes to waste each year, making it a good candidate to transform into new materials.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 11, 2018

Case study: Circular Systems turns scraps into textiles

In the era of fast fashion, producers are looking at alternative materials to support growing consumer demand. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 11, 2018

From mushroom to handbag: Creating a closed loop textile supply chain

This Supply Chain Dive series explores the innovative ways manufacturers are taking natural materials and waste products and giving them new life in the form of textiles.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 11, 2018

Will automation take online grocery to the next level?

Using robots to fill and deliver orders promises to save retailers money and boost consumer demand, but with the technology still in its test phase, the broader impact remains unclear.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 10, 2018

A tale of 2 peak season inventory strategies

Based on the steps taken for peak season preparation described by Target and Kohl's, fulfillment strategy doesn't necessarily match inventory strategy. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 4, 2018

Spelling out the omnichannel alphabet soup

Four acronyms reflect the varied strategies retailers are pursuing to fulfill online and digitally-placed store orders.

By Jacqueline Smith Renfrow • Dec. 4, 2018

Is BOSS the new BOPIS?

In-store pickup and ship-to-store fulfillment models have distinct challenges — and advantages.

By Jacqueline Smith Renfrow • Dec. 4, 2018

What is the business case for 3D printing in the supply chain?

As part of our Influencers Roundtable series, supply chain consultants discuss the ROI of emerging technologies. Up next: 3D printing.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 4, 2018

Innovator of the Year: Uptake

The startup has made clear moves to compete with tent pole names within its sphere and achieved serious progress beyond its bread and butter.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 3, 2018