How grocers are managing the twin pressures of supply chain disruption and inflation

Companies need to be particularly "agile" in 2022, one expert said, as high demand and shortages can make inflation appear quickly.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 31, 2022

BJ's Wholesale to buy four refrigerated distribution centers

The acquisition of the facilities from longtime partner Burris Logistics will allow the club retailer to handle its perishables supply chain in-house.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 31, 2022

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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

Shippers plan for disruptions from Lunar New Year: survey

A majority of companies ordered early as the holiday is expected to lengthen transit times and raise freight costs, according to Container xChange.

By Alejandra Carranza • Jan. 31, 2022

Mondelēz reactivates 'COVID playbook' to address low inventory

Early in the pandemic, the snack food giant focused on simplifying its business. High demand and lingering labor constraints have pushed the CPG to revive some aspects of that strategy. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 31, 2022

Kroger to extend delivery network with 'spoke' facility in Kentucky

The 50,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Louisville, set to open later this year, continues the grocer's e-commerce network buildout.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 28, 2022

PPG Industries diversifies resin suppliers as staff shortages affect production

Resins were already in tight supply after severe weather in 2021. Rising omicron cases add to the mounting challenges.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 27, 2022

Lighter bots, faster orders: How Ocado is innovating in e-commerce

The Kroger partner plans to introduce new robots, including an automated on-grid picker and routing technology that will allow it to get more same-day orders out to shoppers.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 27, 2022

Nike says a 'sole train' helped mitigate supply chain disruptions

In addition to fast-tracking product to Memphis by rail, the brand also added several distribution centers and deployed 1,000 robots.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 25, 2022

Robotics, automation go from fringe to mainstream

Pretty soon, the technologies are going to be table stakes for supply chain operations, one executive said.

By Jen A. Miller • Jan. 25, 2022

Inventory restocking efforts push logistics real estate demand even higher: Prologis

Tenants need to restock not only for inventory shortfalls, but to also build additional safety stock as well, CFO Tom Olinger said.

By Max Garland • Jan. 25, 2022

Neiman Marcus names supply chain chief to oversee $90M investment

The department store retailer is working to overhaul operations and upgrade its systems and distribution centers.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris and Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 25, 2022

Passing on freight costs helps Lamb Weston's results amid logistics, labor pressures

The company is placing a strong focus on transportation costs to fight input cost inflation. That means increasing product delivery rates and adjusting them more often to reflect the market.

By Max Garland • Jan. 24, 2022

Car parts supplier loads up on inventory as just-in-time delivery loses appeal

Companies that have what customers want when they want it are the ones coming out on top in this environment, a CarParts.com executive said.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 24, 2022

KB Home cuts SKUs as it faces shortages of garage doors, building materials

The homebuilder is one of many unable to get adequate materials and components for projects — and the issues aren't limited to garage doors.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 20, 2022

SCOTUS upholds stay on OSHA's vaccine mandate

The onus is back on employers to decide whether they want to institute their own requirements, one attorney said.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 18, 2022

Simply Good Foods increases prices to cover rising ingredients costs

The seller of Atkins and Quest Nutrition products has faced inflation "from the high single digits to the low double digits for our total business," its CFO said.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 13, 2022

Quits in transportation, warehousing sectors contribute to a November record: BLS

Though the quit rate is high, workers are not necessarily getting out of the job market.

By Emilie Shumway • Jan. 12, 2022

Midsize businesses are 'thinking big' for supply chain workarounds: survey

Many of these firms are executing plays similar to larger businesses: bolstering inventory, diversifying suppliers and finding substitute materials and processes.

By Max Garland • Jan. 11, 2022

Bed Bath & Beyond's legacy supply chain infrastructure hampered inventory flow

The retailer is grappling with the same transportation and supply challenges other retailers are facing — all while transforming its own supply chain.

By Max Garland • Jan. 11, 2022

CPGs grapple with a murky 2022 outlook as inflation, supply chain weigh on operations

Uncertainty is making it hard for CEOs to determine whether they should raise prices or take other actions.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 11, 2022

'Omicron absenteeism' strains Conagra's supply chain

Labor constraints are limiting output and raising costs for the packaged foods company.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 10, 2022

UPS to handle record 60M returns during peak shipping season

As returns activity increases, reverse logistics have become a vital part of the retail playbook to build customer loyalty. But costs are climbing.

By Max Garland • Jan. 7, 2022

Ikea doubles automation projects as store fulfillment grows

More than half of the store's volumes were fulfilled from stores in FY21, according to an Ikea franchisee.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 5, 2022

Manufacturing inventories grow, but omicron poses labor threat: ISM

A fabricated metal products maker said they hoped industry trends were heading toward "something that resembles normal."

By Max Garland • Jan. 4, 2022

By the numbers: Biden reviews supply chain progress with task force

The Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force touted progress in relieving port congestion, stocking store shelves and boosting the workforce.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 4, 2022