Procurement


  • Workers in a line complete work on piles of pants.
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    Allison Joyce via Getty Images
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    2024’s top procurement insights

    Tariff mitigation and the de minimis debate dominated sourcing discussions this year.

    By Dec. 12, 2024
  • President Joe Biden speaks at the White House on Dec. 8, 2024.
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    Pete Marovich via Getty Images
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    Biden unveils fresh China tariff hikes

    The duties will target critical solar energy inputs, including wafers, polysilicon and tungsten products, beginning Jan. 1.

    By Dec. 11, 2024
  • FedEx worker sort through a pile of boxes at the FedEx sort facility at the Oakland International Airport December 18, 2006 in Oakland, California. Explore the Trendline
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Retail Supply Chains

    Retailers are tapping technology and making operational investments to maintain supply chain resilience. Here’s how.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Smithfield to sell 150K hogs, re-establishing independent supplier

    The deal allows Murphy Family Ventures to become an independent producer again while reducing Smithfield's livestock footprint.

    By Dec. 11, 2024
  • Inside a furniture store.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    La-Z-Boy ‘positioned relatively well’ ahead of China tariffs

    But proposed tariffs on Mexico could have a larger impact on the furniture retailer's supply chain.

    By Dec. 10, 2024
  • Off-price retailers aren’t too worried about tariffs

    Among the many advantages that stores like TJX, Ross and Burlington have over mainstream retail companies: some protection from protectionism.

    By Daphne Howland • Dec. 9, 2024
  • Volkswagen ID.3 electric cars stand in the storage tower following assembly at the "Gläserne Manufaktur" ("Glass Manufactory") production facility on June 08, 2021 in Dresden, Germany.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Volkswagen’s PowerCo secures battery materials supply deal

    The five-year agreement with Australia-based Novonix, a manufacturer of synthetic graphite material, is slated to start in 2027.

    By Dec. 6, 2024
  • A sign is posted in front of a Dick's Sporting Goods store in Daly City, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Dick’s Sporting Goods to dust off tariff playbook from first Trump presidency

    The sports retailer's CFO said the company is well-positioned thanks in part to reduced exposure to China.

    By Dec. 5, 2024
  • Peter Navarro arrives at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse on Jan. 25, 2024 in Washington, DC.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Trump taps Peter Navarro as lead trade adviser

    The former Trump administration official will return to the White House to advance the president-elect's trade and manufacturing agendas.

    By Dec. 4, 2024
  • Cosmetics on a table.
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    iStock via Getty Images
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    L’Oréal Groupe spearheads supplier decarbonization fund

    The Solstice program will help SMEs access funding to advance scope 3 commitments.

    By Dec. 4, 2024
  • Donald Trump stands against a red backdrop with a shadow over his face
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS countries

    The president-elect vowed to levy the duties if the contingent tries to replace the U.S. dollar's role in international trade.

    By Dec. 2, 2024
  • Potato chips on a manufacturing conveyor belt in a factory.
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    MediaProduction via Getty Images
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    Manufacturing ‘neared stabilization’ in November: PMI

    Companies are preparing for growth under a second Trump administration, even as the threat of tariffs causes some uncertainty.

    By Dec. 2, 2024
  • A storefront is seen at an angle, with "T.J. Maxx" in bright red letters, against a blue sky streaked with light clouds.
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    Daphne Howland/Supply Chain Dive
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    TJX: Tariffs provide buying opportunities

    Vendors bringing in goods early to minimize risk could create an inventory surplus for the company to snatch up at favorable prices.

    By Dec. 2, 2024
  • Jamieson Greer, right, at a meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade of APEC at the Hotel Sheraton Miramar in Vina del Mar, Chile, in May 2019.
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    Rodrigo Garrido/Reuters

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    Trump taps Jamieson Greer as USTR

    The international trade lawyer would lead the agency as the new administration embarks on an aggressive tariff agenda against China and other countries. 

    By Nov. 27, 2024
  • Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Trump calls for 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico

    The president-elect also called for additional 10% tariffs on imports from China as part of his day one White House plans. 

    By Updated Nov. 26, 2024
  • A Williams-Sonoma store in Corte Madera, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    ‘Everything is on the table’: Williams-Sonoma preps for tariff hikes

    The home products retailer mapped out a category-by-category plan to reduce sourcing from China, its CFO said on an earnings call.

    By Nov. 25, 2024
  • Stacks of lumber being stored in a at a lumber yard.
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    HABesen via Getty Images
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    Tariff concerns loom over construction material pricing

    Potential trade policy changes under the incoming Trump administration could raise costs for a wide range of materials, economists say.

    By Sebastian Obando • Nov. 21, 2024
  • In an aerial view, trucks drive by shipping containers at the Port of Oakland
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    US-only supply chains will emerge under Trump: PIIE economist

    Companies looking to avoid tariffs on imports from China will likely shake up their sourcing, economist Mary Lovely said.

    By Nov. 21, 2024
  • A person's hand holding a box of individually wrapped Ferrero Rocher chocolates.
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    Courtesy of Ferrero
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    Ferrero invests in hazelnut sourcing as it grows US production

    The company awarded a total of $350,000 to Oregon State University and Rutgers University to increase collaboration with local farmers, producers and distributors.

    By Nov. 21, 2024
  • A Frigidaire espresso maker brewing espresso
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    Courtesy of Electrolux Group
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    Electrolux appoints chief procurement officer

    Michelle Shi-Verdaasdonk will oversee the home appliance maker’s materials and product sourcing strategies.

    By Nov. 21, 2024
  • Lowe's storefront
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    Courtesy of Lowe's
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    Lowe’s braces for potential tariff hikes

    The retailer said it diversified its supply chain after Trump’s first tariffs, but 40% of its assortment is sourced abroad and more levies would add costs.

    By Daphne Howland • Nov. 20, 2024
  • An associate stocks a shelf at a Home Depot
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    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
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    Home Depot will leverage experience to tackle tariffs

    The home improvement retailer plans to take a "differentiated" approach built on its previous efforts to navigate higher duties.

    By Nov. 18, 2024
  • An image of a burger and french fries from McDonald's
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    What restaurants, suppliers can learn from McDonald’s E. coli outbreak

    The fast food giant’s initial response to the outbreak was quick, but guest sentiment suffered from a lack of direct consumer messaging.

    By Julie Littman , Nov. 18, 2024
  • The Ralph Lauren storefront in Toronto, Canada, is pictured.
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    Courtesy of Ralph Lauren Corporation
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    Ralph Lauren sources ‘single digit percentage’ of its products from China

    The fashion brand's globally-diversified production footprint makes it well-positioned to mitigate potential tariff hikes, CEO Patrice Louvet said.

    By Nov. 18, 2024
  • Yeti unveils New York flagship store on April 4.
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    Courtesy of Yeti Holdings, Inc.
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    Yeti, e.l.f. Beauty and others prep supply chains for Trump tariffs

    Some businesses are planning more production outside of China or mulling price increases. Others are maintaining the status quo.

    By Nov. 15, 2024
  • Bottles of Clorox bleach on a shelf.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Clorox prioritizes supplier decarbonization efforts

    The cleaning product manufacturer is partnering with a carbon tracking service Manufacture 2030 to gain visibility into its vendors’ emission reduction plans.

    By Nov. 14, 2024