Companies found creative ways to bolster inventory despite volatile 2021

Companies increased production, pulled forward orders and made other adjustments to stock up in the face of supply chain challenges.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 21, 2021

Big Lots plans 2 more distribution centers for bulky products

The new facilities free up capacity at the company's five regional distribution centers, which were designed for carton flow rather than larger items such as furniture.

By Max Garland • Dec. 21, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management as an effective strategy against tariffs.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

FedEx's hiring efforts get network back on track during peak season

The company has onboarded 10,000 to 12,000 employees per week since Q2 after raising pay and adding benefits.

By Max Garland • Dec. 20, 2021

Uber Eats to offer autonomous food delivery early this year

Uber's partnership with Motional — which will launch in Santa Monica, California — aims to increase delivery reach while lowering labor costs.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 16, 2021

Maersk to manage Unilever's ocean and air transport via control tower

The goal of the partnership is three-fold: to improve visibility across Unilever's supply chain, to boost efficiency and to cut down on emissions.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 16, 2021

The next step in FedEx's automation journey: Handling the largest and smallest packages

Executive Ted Dengel details how the company tackles the two ends of the "package bell curve" to keep up with the surge in volume.

By Max Garland • Dec. 16, 2021

Ryder grows warehouse presence near ports with $480M Whiplash deal

With the acquisition, Ryder will gain new facilities in markets near major ports in Long Beach, Savannah, New York/New Jersey and Seattle/Tacoma.

By Max Garland • Dec. 15, 2021

Should I stay or should I go? Supply chain managers face the 'Great Resignation'

Supply chain managers are not immune to workplace trends. Quite the contrary: mass resignations are now both an internal and external risk for companies.

By Rich Weissman • Dec. 15, 2021

Kroger, Ocado select North Carolina as site for automated e-commerce fulfillment

The 200,000-square-foot facility in the Charlotte area, which will employ as many as 700 people over five years, is scheduled to open within two years after construction starts.

By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 14, 2021

RFID, sensor data just the beginning of the connected supply chain

Companies can't stop at investments in IoT devices. They'll also need a way to integrate and capitalize on the data.

By Jen A. Miller • Dec. 14, 2021

80% of companies passing on rising costs: Fed survey

Higher prices for everything from supplies to freight leave companies without "a release valve for building cost pressures," Federal Reserve economists said. 

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 14, 2021

Workarounds became integral to supply chain management during the pandemic

A series of logistics and supply disruptions in 2021 pushed companies to act creatively under pressure.

By Edwin Lopez , Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 14, 2021

New Walmart fulfillment center to support retailer's next-day shipping push

The facility in Tennessee will use robots to find items within its storage system and bring them to employees for packing before shipping to customers.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 13, 2021

The importance of supply chain visibility

Supply chain visibility is requirement for all business. Here’s what you can do to address visibility challenges right now.

Dec. 13, 2021

Facing long lead times, GMS bulks up on wallboard and steel inventory

Wallboard and steel are among a number of key material shortages that have hamstrung the construction industry, pushing up prices and delaying deliveries.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 10, 2021

Dell's digitized supply chain makes demand planning easier during chip shortage

The company runs virtual simulations to better detect potential disruptions and shape demand to available supply. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 9, 2021

Clorox upgrades 20-year-old ERP for improved data visibility, demand planning

The company is investing $500 million to "significantly increase digital capabilities," CFO Kevin Jacobsen said.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 9, 2021

7 charts show Southern California's warehousing crunch

Easing the chokepoint is a "balancing act" of labor, warehouse space and goods movement, one expert said.

By Max Garland • Dec. 8, 2021

Ulta to spend up to $180M on ERP overhaul

Modern enterprise resource planning tools can help companies know what's in stock and what's needed where. 

By Roberto Torres • Dec. 8, 2021

Nordstrom leverages pack and hold inventory to mitigate supply chain risk

The retailer is revisiting an inventory strategy that helped it during an expansion period when it needed enough items for new store openings.

By Max Garland • Dec. 7, 2021

'Supply chain comes to the fore' for Under Armour in 20 months of tumult

Colin Browne says the pandemic sped up operational changes already underway at the sportswear brand. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 7, 2021

Oatly plans 3 new facilities by 2023 to combat supply shortages

The company aims to self-manufacture 50% to 60% of total volume as it looks to build inventory and control costs. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 7, 2021

Hiring momentum in manufacturing aids November production

Material shortages and high demand are still dragging down the sector, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 2, 2021

Allbirds boosts inventories by 55% due to long lead times, high demand

The shoe and apparel company has relied on careful planning, secondary sourcing and regional diversification to keep product flowing.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 2, 2021

Furniture retailers struggle with depleted inventories after Vietnam lockdowns

Williams-Sonoma and La-Z-Boy expect continued inventory delays as factories work to ramp up production. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 1, 2021