Logistically Minded: Despite holiday shortfalls, hopes are high for real estate and output in 2017

Recent news reveals major brick and mortar retailers' experience following Black Friday may have left them in the red, but elsewhere along the supply chain, Q1 looks promising.

By Edwin Lopez • Jan. 6, 2017

How retailers can prevent phantom inventory from affecting their bottom line

Lost sales from phantom inventory was five times greater than originally accounted for by traditional supply chain forecasts, according to research by contributors to The Wall Street Journal.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Jan. 4, 2017

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

Automate, optimize and train to improve warehouse performance

Storage is one of the most critical needs for supply management — and one of the trickiest.

By Edwin Lopez , Jennifer McKevitt • Dec. 30, 2016

Logistically Minded: Supply chain ends 2016 on high note, 2017 looks bright

Low freight rates and consumer spending may have plagued much of 2016, but November statistics indicate the year may end on a positive note, setting 2017 up for success.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 23, 2016

Logistically Minded: Machine learning, self-driving and sensors everywhere will define 2017

The year has seen industrial technology make large strides to bring self-driving heavy duty trucks, cognitive technology and IoT to the market.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 16, 2016

Costco's big box nature leaves it playing catch-up with e-commerce

Costco's embrace of high quantity and low variability is antithetical to the standard e-commerce strategy.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Dec. 13, 2016

Wal-Mart to invest $1.3B in Mexico logistics

Mexico holds the most Wal-Mart stores outside of the U.S., as the retailer has invested $3.93 billion there over the past four years.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 9, 2016

Human hiring slows as robots fill the warehouse labor gap

Warehouse robots have accompanied a nationwide explosion of distribution centers, transforming the role of humans within the facilities.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Dec. 6, 2016

Ghost Ship warehouse fire leaves at least 33 dead in Oakland

Even safety-compliant structures are vulnerable to fire hazards, as shown by the late-night tragedy that befell a warehouse party.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Dec. 5, 2016

Logistically Minded: Will the freight industry soon be back on its feet?

October statistics show the long-awaited market recovery may be on its way as the shipping industry consolidation continues at full speed, while ports invest in expansions and visibility gains ground in the supply chain.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 2, 2016

Amazon addresses high warehouse turnover with training technology

The e-commerce giant's warehouse workers are being trained with automated tech, but the company should remember efficiency is not everything in warehouse management.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Nov. 30, 2016

FLSA overtime rule injunction puts supply chain workforce, budget planning in limbo

A surprise ruling by Obama appointee Judge Amos Mazzant puts months of business planning in jeopardy, but the injunction may help businesses in the long run. 

By Jennifer McKevitt , Andy Burt • Nov. 28, 2016

How on-demand supply chains are driving an office-to-warehouse real estate shift

Proximity to ports, tight fulfillment timelines, leaner inventories and the trend toward just-in-time production are driving industrial vacancy rates down nationwide.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Nov. 22, 2016

Gap opens pop-up warehouse in time for the holidays

The retailer received over $14 million in assistance from the state to normalize its distribution.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Nov. 18, 2016

Logistically Minded: Trump's market surprise while healthcare surge stays 'cool'

Despite initial market concerns over the presidential election of Donald Trump, financial markets have bounced back, while healthcare demands put the bulls-eye on the evolution of the cold chain.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 18, 2016

Lack of space forces Amazon to expand Prime-eligibility

The e-commerce giant is struggling to keep up with the space demands spurred by a surge in demand, and is now asking independent vendors for help. 

By Jennifer McKevitt • Nov. 18, 2016

Why Ikea is using solar rooftops to 'green' its supply chain

Reaching 100% renewable consumption requires not just reducing emissions but also investing in infrastructure to produce renewable energy.

By Edwin Lopez , Jennifer McKevitt • Nov. 17, 2016

World Logistics Center to face another court challenge amid environmental concerns

The logistics hub would put distributors one hour away from all major markets in Southern California, but environmental groups are concerned over the implications on traffic-based emissions.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 16, 2016

Why FedEx, UPS are opening so many distribution centers

The strategic placement of warehouses is growing along with rise in e-commerce.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Nov. 15, 2016

Report: Match your warehousing solutions with capabilities

Prior to investing or expanding your warehousing solution, execs must understand the difference between WMS, WCS and WES.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Nov. 14, 2016

Logistically Minded: Supply chains turn to the skies during crises, and consolidation continues apace

Supply chain continues to manage economic shifts through air freight shipping, tech innovation and business consolidation.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 11, 2016

Agile warehousing is key for omnichannel sales

Distribution centers have shouldered the burden of increased technology needs, driving many retailers to upgrade and rely more on their warehouses.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Nov. 9, 2016

Warehousing is winning out and bringing jobs back to neglected regions

Supply chain agility becomes a factor when weighing the impact of trade and globalization on jobs in America.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 7, 2016

Report: Pharma, food and beverage traceability needs will drive packaging industry growth

Shifting consumer demands, an explosion of SKUs and rising regulatory concerns will bring domestic packaging machinery shipments to $8.5 billion by 2020.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 6, 2016

Increase in small, multiple SKU orders push warehouses to automate

As orders decrease in size, but increase in frequency and SKU variety, warehouse managers must optimize space and speed to meet demands.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Nov. 4, 2016