Walmart plans to expand fulfillment services for Marketplace sellers

Walmart's increased focus on delivery and fulfillment for third-party marketplace sellers will help it compete with Amazon and other online retailers.

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 16, 2019

Are big CPG companies getting serious about reducing plastic packaging?

Nestlé's new research institute will devise more environmentally friendly solutions, and PepsiCo plans to reduce the amount of virgin plastic in its beverage containers by 2025.

By Cathy Siegner • Sept. 16, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Micro-fulfillment companies adapt to a changing industry

Takeoff Technologies announced a new warehouse model and $25 million in Series C funding, while CommonSense Robotics rebranded as Fabric.

By Jeff Wells • Sept. 16, 2019

EEOC: Union Pacific ignored doctor's opinion of worker recovered from tumor

Employers violate the ADA if they claim an employee with medical restrictions poses a safety risk but cannot show a "direct threat," EEOC has said. 

By Lisa Burden • Sept. 13, 2019

Report: Online grocery sales grew 15% this year

Shoppers are also building bigger baskets and reporting improved user experience, according to a new analysis from consulting firm Brick Meets Click.

By Jessica Dumont • Sept. 13, 2019

DHL opens Chicago innovation center highlighting supply chain tech

At the center, DHL will research the latest operations and logistics technologies, seeking to improve efficiency and productivity for its customers. 

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 12, 2019

My first Loop: Early days in the circular shopping platform

Dozens (if not hundreds) of consumers have placed orders for common household items from Loop, an e-commerce site launched in May that attempts to eliminate single-use packaging and filler that comes with shopping. Here's one consumer's experience.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 11, 2019

H.H. Gregg returns to brick and mortar with NJ store

Owner Valor Group said that, while physical retail is essential, there won't be the kind of over-expansion that led to the retailer's bankruptcy two years ago.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 11, 2019

Target plans to double seasonal hires dedicated to store fulfillment

In total, the retailer said it will hire more than 130,000 employees for this peak season, up from 125,000 last year. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 11, 2019

Amazon's inventory value up 25% as it begins next day shipping

Target, Walmart and Home Depot have all seen inventory grow compared to the same period last year, but none by as large a percentage as Amazon.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 10, 2019

How cobots are changing the nature of fulfillment

Collaborative robots promise greater efficiency and safety, although their functions still have limits — at least for now.

By Jen A. Miller • Sept. 10, 2019

Shopify will acquire robotics startup 6 River Systems for $450M

The announcement comes as e-commerce platforms expand their offerings to include supply chain services and the business case for cobots becomes increasingly clear. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 10, 2019

How one company toes supply-demand balance for rare earth minerals

China's near stranglehold on rare earths has driven the U.S. government to take a keen interest in MP Materials, as it ramps up capacity for end-to-end processing in house. 

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 8, 2019

Amazon and Wayfair could raise prices to offset tariffs: Bank of America

Bank of America estimates Amazon could have to raise its prices by 2.1% to 2.6% while Wayfair could bump up prices by 4.6% to offset a 15% China tariff.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 6, 2019

ISM manufacturing index contracts, ending 35 months of growth

The index fell to 49.1% in August, down from 51.2% in July, the lowest rate seen since January 2016. 

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 4, 2019

Robots as a Service: A low-risk path to warehouse automation?

RaaS revenues and deployments are rapidly eclipsing those from robot purchases, as end users discover more value in securing robotic solutions rather than just equipment.

By Craig Guillot • Sept. 3, 2019

Only 20% of companies are optimistic about their future in China, survey finds

Despite uncertainty, the US-China Business Council's member survey found 87% of companies do not plan to move operations out of China. 

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 3, 2019

Warehouse robotics companies raise hundreds of millions in VC funding

When Amazon acquired Kiva in 2012 it opened up the robotics market to new competitors. Those new firms have since raised millions as e-commerce companies recognize the value of robotics for operations.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 3, 2019

What US companies should know about expanding manufacturing to Mexico

As the trade war with China continues, more companies are looking south of the border with new interest.

By Sergio Tagliapietra, CEO IVEMSA • Sept. 3, 2019

Tariffs and economic uncertainty rattle Best Buy going into peak season

"We don’t exactly have a precedence for the quantity of moving pieces that we have in place right now," CEO Corie Barry said on the retailer's second-quarter earnings call.  

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 30, 2019

Kroger heads to Texas for 5th Ocado automated warehouse

The Dallas city council approved $5.7 million in incentives for the Cincinnati-based grocer to build its next AI-powered fulfillment center. 

By Krishna Thakker • Aug. 29, 2019

Florida ports prepare as Dorian moves past Puerto Rico

The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center predicts winds up to 80 mph and between four and eight inches of rain for Puerto Rico.

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Aug. 28, 2019

Is it prime time for predictive technology in MRO?

The past few years have seen growing adoption of predictive analytics within the supply chain, but maintenance, repair and operations may not be the right place just yet.

By Amanda Loudin • Aug. 27, 2019

With predictive maintenance, operators seek improved uptime

An additional benefit of predictive maintenance is the ability to lower spare parts inventory and rely more on vendors for inventory management.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 26, 2019

Lowe's looks to improve in-stock status with more efficient supply chain

Improving in-stock status in stores has been CEO Marvin Ellison's number one goal since he took the helm at the home improvement retailer in June 2018. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 22, 2019