Kohl's expects to reduce receipts 60% in Q2, even as stores open

Addressing inventory was the first action executives took when it became clear stores would need to close, CEO Michelle Gass ​said.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 21, 2020

COVID-19 may put industrial distribution back in the game

Manufacturers may look to their industrial distribution network as an opportunity to satisfy more customers and rebuild their market share.

By Rich Weissman • May 19, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Daimler temporarily suspends production in Alabama over supplier issues

The Mexican automotive supplier base has been a big question mark when it comes to the sector's ability to restart operations in the coming days.

By Matt Leonard • May 18, 2020

64% of manufacturers say reshoring is likely following pandemic: survey

Among industries, manufacturing reported the most interest in nearshoring, with 28% saying they were "extremely likely" to bring more sourcing back to North America following the pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • May 14, 2020

RPA projects fail because of complexity and misunderstanding

Automation will play a starring role in how businesses deal with the effects of the pandemic. But automation for automation's sake means sinking resources into failed projects.

By Roberto Torres • May 14, 2020

Cargill expands work against child labor in cocoa supply chains as pandemic worries advocates

Advocates warn the coronavirus pandemic may exacerbate child labor practices because schools are closed and monitoring groups are less able to circulate in at-risk communities. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 14, 2020

China waives retaliatory tariffs on 79 US import categories

The imports eligible for waivers include semiconductor parts, medical disinfectants, rare earth metals and chemical products.

By Morgan Forde • May 13, 2020

45% of apparel buyers working with suppliers to cut costs: McKinsey

A survey of 116 apparel sourcing executives found one-fifth are paying for 75% or more of their orders as originally agreed, while 18% are paying no vendors as agreed.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 7, 2020

The 5 calling cards of a strong supplier relationship

A crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is possibly the best time to work on building stronger relationships with new and pre-existing suppliers, writes Neils Bray, an account manager at LINTEC Automotive.

By Neils Bray • May 7, 2020

USDA to purchase $470M in surplus meat, dairy and produce

After facing criticism that the government's efforts have been slow to help producers during the pandemic, the department said this will allow food to be distributed to communities nationwide.

By Lillianna Byington • May 5, 2020

Quarterly inventories fall for first time since 2018

Depleted inventories in the first quarter were largely the result of supply issues, but this will transition to a demand-driven reduction moving forward, experts suggest.

By Matt Leonard • May 4, 2020

Industrial distributors contend with decades of demand for protective SKUs

W.W. Grainger, Fastenal, MSC Industrial and the like have gained new status as essential suppliers, but their future rides on successful procurement of products not usually at the center of their strategy. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 4, 2020

7 states form regional supply chain to buy $5B in medical equipment to fight coronavirus

Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island want to use their combined purchasing power to drive down prices for in-demand items like ventilators and personal protective equipment.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 4, 2020

US PMI drops to lowest level since 2009 as industry output and new orders plummet

The U.S. PMI contracted to 41.5% in April, the lowest indicator of manufacturing sector decline since 2009, according to the Institute for Supply Management. 

By Morgan Forde • May 1, 2020

Cummins: Supplier visibility, Mexico production are top supply chain concerns

Hundreds of manufacturing plants across Mexico are closed, and Cummins' COO said details are hard to come by on which suppliers are shutting down and what they're doing to keep workers safe. 

By Matt Leonard • May 1, 2020

IBM launches platform aimed at making 'conversion suppliers' easier for hospitals to find

IBM conceived of the Rapid Supplier Connect platform after state governments, European governments and U.S. hospital systems approached the supply chain team with challenges procuring critical supplies.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 30, 2020

Medical association pushes US to lift tariffs on Chinese imports of devices needed to fight COVID-19

The trade group wants indefinite exemptions for imaging components and devices used in ventilators, among other items. It also floated a compromise: re-imposing them one year after the pandemic passes.

By Nick Paul Taylor • April 30, 2020

Suppliers feel retail's pain

As retailers cancel orders and hold payments, their vendors are stretched for cash, making hard decisions and worrying about what comes next. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 29, 2020

Adidas manages supplier relations to end 2020 with 'reasonable inventory'

Adidas listed "supply chain responsibility" among its priorities in the wake of COVID-19 disruptions but continues to cancel and postpone orders. 

By Emma Cosgrove • April 29, 2020

PwC: Supply chains unlikely to relocate post-coronavirus

Immediate supply chain concerns are waning as CFOs gain clarity on what to expect in the short term and what kind of changes are necessary to weather shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic in the future. 

By Emma Cosgrove • April 28, 2020

Hershey pushes back ERP project by 1 year

CEO Michele Buck cited a "prudent approach" during the coronavirus pandemic, which included delaying the supply chain and order-to-cash aspects of Hershey's ERP project.

By Roberto Torres • April 27, 2020

Coronavirus pushes 46% of SMBs to defer or cut software spend

Though businesses prepare to shrink their IT spend, an economic contraction can provide an opportunity to assess where software can boost productivity.

By Roberto Torres • April 23, 2020

How COVID-19 makes the case for 'high-road' supply chains

The pandemic exposes threats to global supply chains that demand new sourcing methods, writes Susan Helper, a professor of economics at Case Western Reserve University.

By Susan Helper • April 22, 2020

Primark commits to accepting $455M in finished stock from suppliers

After a month of "extensive one-to-one conversations" with suppliers concerning the coronavirus, the Dublin-based retailer is accepting additional finished and in-transit products. 

By S.L. Fuller • April 22, 2020

Manufacturers call on government to incentivize production pivots to PPE

The manufacturing industry is calling on Congress to provide more financial incentives for businesses that switch to producing essential goods, including PPE.

By Matt Leonard • April 22, 2020