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
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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
  • A sign with bright blue letters reads "Marshalls," on a building against a bright blue sky.
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    "Marshalls Store, Plainville, CT." by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    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