'Chaotic' supply chain pushed up supplier prices: MSC

Port congestion, severe weather and COVID-19 disruptions to production lines have impacted product availability and led to inflation.

By A.B. Brown • April 15, 2021

Stacking procurement functions with a mix of outsourcing and insourcing

Using a third party for the entire department would be a strategic blunder.

By Rich Weissman • April 15, 2021

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 the pandemic impacted demand at FedEx, Clorox and C&S Wholesale

Companies across industries began to shift operations in early 2020, as signs pointed to changes in demand and consumer habits.

By Matt Leonard • April 14, 2021

Walmart establishes supplier policy to protect pollinators

The retailer outlined new guidelines for fresh produce suppliers, along with sharing how it plans to combat habitat loss.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • April 14, 2021

Chipotle reaches 31M pounds of locally sourced produce

The restaurant chain joins a growing number of food brands and grocers emphasizing local sourcing over the last year. 

By A.B. Brown • April 8, 2021

Target to spend over $2B with Black-owned suppliers by 2025

The retailer intends to add products from over 500 Black-owned businesses in several categories and launch resources to help vendors scale their operations.

By Maria Monteros • April 8, 2021

Supply chains do the math on reshoring's pros and cons

COVID-19 exposed risks and spurred conversations about moving manufacturing, but the pandemic is far from the only factor to consider.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • April 8, 2021

Auto industry calls on government to fund semiconductor capacity

An industry group warns the shortage could cause a production shortfall of nearly 1.28 million vehicles in 2021.

By Matt Leonard • April 7, 2021

Cardboard prices reach record high amid e-commerce demand

Box producers are running on lean inventories, as online buying booms and creates greater demand for packaging materials.

By Matt Leonard • April 6, 2021

A flock of black swans hovers — and supply chains need to get ready

Risk management should include planning, strategy and a bit of good luck.

By Rich Weissman • April 1, 2021

US directs ports to detain Top Glove shipments from Malaysia, citing forced labor

Directives to seize imports put the burden of proof on procurement and supply chain leaders to prove forced labor was not used.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 1, 2021

Walmart, H&M among retailers in US most exposed to Suez Canal disruptions

Construction and chemical companies are also expected to feel the impact, as more than 300 vessels wait to pass through the canal.

By Matt Leonard • March 31, 2021

Avoiding supplier fraud requires shipment analysis and an educated workforce

Agility is important for survival, now more than ever, but agility without risk management for procurement will not be enough.

By Gina Govojdean • March 25, 2021

Bashas' turns to online platform to expand selection of locally sourced foods

The Arizona grocery chain plans to eventually roll out Forager's online procurement system across its fleet of more than 100 stores.

By Sam Silverstein • March 25, 2021

Procurement leaders upgrade supplier data as agility trumps cutting costs: survey

The pandemic showed how important real-time data is to procurement, yet respondents to a Wakefield Research report said data remains "inadequate." 

By A.B. Brown • March 25, 2021

Starbucks to improve sustainable coffee sourcing, reducing its largest carbon culprit

In a show of priorities, the company said it would take actions that make green coffee carbon neutral instead of tackling emissions from transportation, packaging and roasting operations.

By A.B. Brown • March 23, 2021

Data and analytics to become 'core business function' in 2021: Gartner

The importance of real-time information has risen during the pandemic, as visibility helps supply chains react and adjust to volatility.

By Roberto Torres • March 19, 2021

Why procurement leaders must put supplier trust back into perspective

Trust has been weaponized. How do we restore the balance?

By Rich Weissman • March 18, 2021

Buyers opt for digital, remote interactions with suppliers

Buyers are choosing a mix of channels to facilitate their procurement needs. And it's proving more than just a pandemic-driven trend. 

By A.B. Brown • March 18, 2021

Danone debuts Honest to Goodness creamer with locally sourced ingredients

The offering prioritizes transparent farming and supports the communities that provide its organic sugar, coconuts, fava bean protein and salt.

By Barbara Smith • March 18, 2021

Honda, Toyota limit production amid Port of LA congestion, supply shortages

Semiconductor and plastic shortages are challenging automakers' lean and just-in-time operations.

By Matt Leonard • March 18, 2021

HelloFresh to adjust packaging, shipping as it scales sustainable operations

The company is working on a tool to help avoid shipping boxes with unused space by calculating the levels of secondary packaging each kit needs.

By Sam Silverstein • March 18, 2021

The US has a new trade chief. What supply chains can expect on tariffs and China.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai recognizes China as "simultaneously a rival, a trade partner and an outsized player," in the global trade landscape.

By Shefali Kapadia • March 18, 2021

Vaccine factories churn out millions more doses, speeding US rollout of coronavirus shots

Initially, making one batch of Pfizer's vaccine took roughly 110 days, a timeline the company has now worked down to an average of 60 days.

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 16, 2021

Aldi to cut back packaging by 15%, convert to sustainable materials by 2025

The grocer aims to eliminate Styrofoam from produce packaging, sustainably source two coffee brands and add solar panels to some warehouses.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • March 16, 2021