Tech, retail industry leaders decry Trump tariffs on China

As threats of a trade war escalate, the technology and retail industries fear they'll face higher costs as a result of retaliatory tariffs. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 23, 2018

Albertsons' new marketplace lets small suppliers sell to consumers

The e-commerce platform, which will ship food and wellness products direct to consumers, will focus on the kinds of items that are being pushed off of Whole Foods' shelves.

By Jeff Wells • March 21, 2018

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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

To build 'circular' operations, Ikea takes aim at its supply chain

With less than 30% of the retailer’s climate footprint stemming from Tier 1 and its own operations, the retailer looks at the way it sources and designs products.

By Edwin Lopez • March 20, 2018

Toys R Us liquidation is a test of supplier resilience

Big liquidations like Toys R Us' can have detrimental ripple effects throughout the supply chain, but not all its suppliers are financially equal.

By Kate Patrick Macri • March 20, 2018

Apple is developing its own display screens for iPhones

A move by the tech company to in-house MicroLED screen production would further decrease its reliance on suppliers.  

By Shefali Kapadia • March 20, 2018

Gap wants all tier 1 suppliers to pay garment workers digitally

Digital payments allow for better financial transparency and economic growth, but questions remain over the retailer's ability to implement this ambitious goal in two years. 

By Barry Hochfelder • March 16, 2018

How Toys R Us' bankruptcy hopes came crashing down

The toy seller entered Chapter 11 with the goal of a leaner, better business. Instead, a terrible holiday season sent it in a different direction. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 15, 2018

Whole Foods schedules meeting with disgruntled suppliers

The grocer will meet with manufacturers on March 19 to address concerns over new fees and the company’s centralized merchandising setup.  

By Jeff Wells • March 12, 2018

App aims to improve working conditions in Bangladesh, but who reports?

The company, not the employees, reports the data on factory accidents, which leaves workers' abilities to raise a red flag spurious.

By Rich Weissman • March 12, 2018

While Apple supplier performance ticks up, so do violations

Only 1% of the tech company's suppliers received a ranking of "low performing," but core violations doubled since 2016. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 9, 2018

Trump slaps on steel tariffs but spares NAFTA neighbors

Steel yourself for 15 days of elevated sourcing activity and price volatility as markets adjust to the 25% higher raw material costs for select metals.

By Edwin Lopez • March 9, 2018

A NAFTA deal may come down to political will

Trade officials warn time is running short as all three nations approach their political seasons. 

By Edwin Lopez • March 8, 2018

65% of procurement execs lack visibility past tier 1 suppliers

CPO's top priority is cost reduction, while transparency and technology adoption are lacking, according to a survey from Deloitte.

By Shefali Kapadia • March 8, 2018

FDA commissioner decries drug industry oligopoly

The consolidation of PBMs, wholesalers and pharmacies is likely not in the best interest of patients, according to Scott Gottlieb of the Food and Drug Administration.

By Kate Patrick Macri • March 8, 2018

Walmart's sourcing from women-owned suppliers drives business

Diverse-owned businesses increase market competition and help companies more effectively anticipate market needs. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • March 8, 2018

CBP outlines 4-step plan to crack down on counterfeits

The agency seized a record number of counterfeit goods in 2017, as e-commerce has facilitated an influx of new sellers and importers to the market. 

By Kate Patrick Macri • March 7, 2018

Chainalytics, Drewry team up to help little shippers get better ocean freight rates

The two will build a procurement platform targeted at smaller shippers, to help them snag competitive ocean shipping rates like the "big shippers."

By Kate Patrick Macri • March 6, 2018

Federal government backs litigation of opioid makers, distributors

States and cities are already suing the three largest drug distributors in the U.S. for their role in facilitating the opioid epidemic.

By Rich Weissman • March 5, 2018

How Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs will affect sourcing

The tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum will prove especially taxing for an automotive industry that relies heavily on those raw materials. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 2, 2018

Walmart is closing the online grocery price gap with Amazon

The retail giant's strict OTIF policies are squeezing many suppliers, but they're producing results for Walmart. 

By Dan Alaimo • March 1, 2018

E-commerce counterfeiters flourish despite CPB, ICE efforts

In a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office test, at least half of goods sold online by third party sellers were found to be counterfeit.

By Kate Patrick Macri • Feb. 28, 2018

Apple wants to buy cobalt straight from the source

Demand for cobalt is rising, so Apple is working to ensure it gets the quantities it needs for the price it wants.

By Rich Weissman • Feb. 27, 2018

Buyers must learn to manage the 4 stages of product lifecycles

All products become obsolete at some point. Learning how to spot and manage that is a core skill.

By Rich Weissman • Feb. 26, 2018

Round 7: All signs point to even longer NAFTA talks

Negotiators hope to seal a deal by March 2018, but the accelerated timeline is fracturing as political interests ramp up.

By Edwin Lopez • Feb. 26, 2018

Did too many chickens cross the road? KFC stores close following shortage

The chicken shortage reveals the dangers of choosing a logistics provider based on cost and not expertise.

By Rich Weissman • Feb. 22, 2018