Big Lots reports furniture shortages after largest supplier abruptly closes

The shutdown of vendor United Furniture Industries pressured the discount retailer's e-commerce sales.

By Alejandra Carranza • March 15, 2023

How one parts supplier navigates supply chain volatility

As part constraints grew over the last few years, EU Automation’s focus on refurbished equipment offered it opportunities for growth.

By Kate Magill • March 13, 2023

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

How Overstock is wooing new suppliers and weathering retail’s inventory torrent

While 2022’s discounting frenzy cost the online retailer market share, the CEO told Supply Chain Dive it’s looking to grow through new categories and brands. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 10, 2023

Shareholder activist blasts Nike for doing too little to prevent abuses in supply chain

Tulipshare said the company’s mistreated supply chain workers need more help and added that the brand could face serious risks.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 9, 2023

China, worker rights at center of Biden’s 2023 trade agenda

The U.S. Trade Representative said it is looking at all existing options and may consider new tools “to combat the harms of China’s state-led, non-market practices."

By Ben Unglesbee • March 8, 2023

Disciplined inventory management helped Macy’s weather tough 2022

The retailer has relied on data and analytics to forecast demand and make decisions around purchasing and pricing.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 7, 2023

Bird flu outbreak hurts Hormel turkey sales

The company said poultry volumes declined 80% YoY as it grapples with reduced production capacity from avian influenza.

By Chris Casey • March 7, 2023

Kohl’s shrinks inventory position after ‘out of control’ levels in 2022

The retailer will ask its suppliers to get more “nimble” as it plans for less product and chases demand signals, according to the head of Kohl’s digital business.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 6, 2023

A step-by-step guide to successful supplier negotiations

Procurement teams need to be prepared with good reasons as to why their vendor should lower prices. Here’s what to consider before asking for lower costs.

By Praveen Kumar Soni • March 2, 2023

TJX sees buying opportunities as retail sector falters

The off-pricer’s CEO said product availability has been “phenomenal” as other companies look to offload product they can’t sell. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 2, 2023

Inside a federally funded strategy to strengthen US lithium supply chains

The U.S. is behind in its goal to capture domestic production of battery materials. Here’s what one Energy Department-backed group says needs to happen to catch up.

By Kate Magill • March 1, 2023

Honda signs supply deal with Ascend Elements for recycled battery materials

The deal comes as automakers and battery suppliers alike ramp up production capacity.

By Kate Magill • Feb. 28, 2023

Leidos looks to cut costs with in-house sourcing

The company plans to manage some of its own security product supply chain and manufacturing.

By Kelly Stroh • Feb. 28, 2023

REI requires suppliers to phase out ‘forever chemicals’

The retailer has faced pressure from environmental groups to address PFAS in its supply chain.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 27, 2023

US hits Russia with 200% aluminum tariff

The Biden administration also announced $2.7 billion in new duties on other industrial goods as the war in Ukraine passes the one-year mark.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 24, 2023

As inflation wears on, should retailers push back on supplier costs?

Commodity prices have fallen from their peaks, suggesting there is room to negotiate. But there's some risk in asking vendors to lower rates.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 23, 2023

Material prices back on the rise

An elevated producer price index indicates the economy remains overheated, said Anirban Basu, chief economist of Associated Builders and Contractors.

By Sebastian Obando • Feb. 23, 2023

Ikea’s climate footprint shrinks as it rapidly switches to renewables

Finding sustainable materials for the furniture retailer’s products, however, remains a stubborn challenge.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 22, 2023

Bombardier works with suppliers to combat supply chain headwinds

The aircraft manufacturer has also increased material supply inventories and implemented a monitoring solution to mitigate potential disruptions.

By Kelly Stroh • Feb. 17, 2023

Responsible cobalt sourcing ‘will take a coalition to solve,’ Microsoft says

A representative from the computing giant joined a visit to an artisanal mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo that saw the benefits of a formalization pilot.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 16, 2023

GM signs exclusive chip supplier agreement with GlobalFoundries

The semiconductor manufacturer aims to reduce the number of unique chips needed to power GM's EVs.

By Kate Magill • Feb. 15, 2023

Shein questioned on potential forced labor in its supply chain

Three U.S. senators are asking whether the fast-fashion giant's clothing contain banned cotton from China’s Xinjiang region. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 14, 2023

Spirit Aerosystems plagued by parts shortages, supply chain instability

Labor shortages and increased costs caused production to stall across many of the Boeing supplier’s programs.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 13, 2023

Hyundai, Labor Department in talks over child labor allegations at supplier sites

The automaker said it is working to address the concerns by adding anonymous tip hotlines and discouraging use of third-party staffing agencies.

By Megan Ruggles • Feb. 10, 2023

Retailers join $950M commitment to Central America sourcing

Target and Columbia Sportswear are among private companies investing in the region as part of a White House call to action.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 9, 2023