UNFI: Grocery supplier stockouts could last into the fall

Consistently high demand, combined with the spike of panic-buying in March, will keep some suppliers in catch-up mode for a few more months, CEO Steve Spinner said. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 12, 2020

It's time for a national hospital supply chain czar

If the current lack of supply chain coordination isn't resolved before the expected second surge in COVID-19 cases, the result will be a far worse crisis, writes Jody Hatcher, a healthcare supply chain expert.

By Jody Hatcher • June 11, 2020

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

SAP, IBM Food Trust, GS1 move toward food supply chain traceability with interoperability test

GS1, the not-for-profit issuer of UPCs and barcodes, hired a vice president of blockchain in January and is conducting a series of tests to advance the technology's use in food supply chains. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 11, 2020

Strained supply chains, resource scarcity drive heightened focus on circularity amid pandemic

Supply chain disruptions in healthcare, packaging and other industries are seen as potential opportunities for new reuse and remanufacturing initiatives.

By Leslie Nemo • June 10, 2020

Inventory imbalances cost Chewy $20M amid pandemic 'demand shock'

The company's Q1 sales increased 46% year over year, prompting a ramp-up in fulfillment center hiring, operation speed and costs throughout its network.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 10, 2020

UPS expands healthcare footprint, shifting focus to vaccines

The carrier is working with many of the major players developing vaccines to protect against the new coronavirus and companies working toward treatments.

By Matt Leonard • June 10, 2020

Supply chain median salary 24% higher than national median, gender gap narrows

Supply chain professionals with a bachelor's degree have a median salary of $78,750 and 88% of respondents said they have a positive career outlook.

By Matt Leonard • June 10, 2020

Inventory management a top skill for 58% of supply chain pros: survey

Effective inventory management "is at the core of supply chain and that is making sure that you've got the right product at the right price with the right consumer at the right place," said ASCM CEO Abe Eshkenazi.

By Matt Leonard • June 9, 2020

Honda resumes most operations after cyberattack

The malware spread throughout the company's networks though it said no data was compromised.

By Samantha Schwartz • June 9, 2020

Small meat suppliers tout supply chain transparency while pandemic challenges large producers

The four major meat companies have closed plants and warned of shortages. But local suppliers that offer a more transparent view of operations have seen business boom. 

By Lillianna Byington • June 9, 2020

COVID-19 spurs a leap to digital supply chains

Manufacturers who previously looked at data, analytics, IoT and robotics to drive efficiency now see them as tools to increase resiliency during uncertain times.

By Craig Guillot • June 9, 2020

CPGs stockpile inventory to guarantee supply for retail customers

Companies are using cash reserves to invest in the raw materials they need to avoid food shortages resulting from widespread panic buying.

By Jessi Devenyns • June 9, 2020

American Eagle fast-tracks fulfillment hubs to reduce shipping backlog

The peri-urban fulfillment hub is a fixture of Amazon's supply chain, but few pure-play apparel sellers have adopted the strategy. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 8, 2020

Patent Pending: Target's plan for a store-fulfillment manager

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny.

By Matt Leonard • June 5, 2020

Calls to close Smithfield's Farmer John plant escalate amid outbreak

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 said safety measures at the California facility are insufficient. At least 153 employees have tested positive for the coronavirus.  

By Lillianna Byington • June 2, 2020

Manufacturers tap into WMS, ERP for end-to-end data management

A so-called "digital thread" creates visibility throughout the supply chain and allows an organization to respond faster to potential disruptions.

By Matt Leonard • June 2, 2020

Coca-Cola, Mondelez trim SKUs as CPGs tackle pandemic stresses

Supply chains are reducing complexity to better operate in volatile market conditions.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 2, 2020

US manufacturing recovers slightly in May, demand challenges remain: ISM

The Institute for Supply Management projects an uphill battle to recovery in 2021 as new order numbers reached their second lowest level since 2008.

By Morgan Forde • June 1, 2020

Lineage Logistics pens deal with Henningsen Cold Storage, continuing acquisition spree

With its latest acquisition, Lineage Logistics' empire grows to 1.9 billion cubic feet of temperature-controlled capacity across 311 facilities in 11 countries.

By Matt Leonard • June 1, 2020

Nordstrom cuts inventory 26% in Q1 by cancelling orders, shipping from stores

CEO Erik Nordstrom called inventory the retailer's "biggest lever of flexibility," with sales down 40% year over year.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 1, 2020

Dollar Tree: Distribution center pressure will continue even as supply issues resolve

Executives said the company's buyers will be "chasing" essential goods through July, putting pressure on warehouses to work faster.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 29, 2020

Amazon studies anti-collision method for robots to increase throughput

The proposed framework plans paths for robots by allowing each one to go through multiple goal locations and only requiring a collision-free path for a certain period of time.

By Matt Leonard • May 26, 2020

Foot Locker turns to vendors to contend with 20% inventory spike

As of Friday, Foot Locker had opened 1,400 stores with limited hours and social-distancing protocols. But stores will not fully relieve the company of what the CEO called a "glut of inventory." 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 26, 2020

2 Ford facilities reopen for second time in a week

The auto industry has been open about its hurdles during the pandemic, as positive coronavirus tests can halt production at multiple stages in the supply chain.

By Matt Leonard • May 21, 2020

Target tests post-store sort center for last-mile delivery

The downstream locations are intended to remove parcel sorting from stores as Target shipped 80% of e-commerce orders from stores in Q1. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 20, 2020