Tariff whiplash is already taking a toll on retail

Retailers and brands have been scrambling to source elsewhere besides China, but it's not easy, quick or even possible for everyone.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 5, 2019

IBM launches blockchain supplier management platform with Anheuser-Busch, Nokia, others

Trust Your Supplier aims to digitize and secure paper-based supplier information, qualification, onboarding and management processes with a full commercial rollout planned for the third quarter of the year.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 5, 2019

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Retail Supply Chains

Retailers are making operational investments and adjustments to maintain supply chain resilience. Here’s how.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

10% China tariffs and the supply chain scramble

The tariffs will come as importers ramp up shipments for peak season, creating the potential to disrupt global supply chains and trade flows for the remainder of the year. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 2, 2019

Sustainable sourcing at scale: H&M's approach

Alternative fibers are challenging to produce and procure at scale. A shift from mass market consumption to a craft model with enhanced visibility may be the solution. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Aug. 1, 2019

Watchdog finds fraud ring sent fake RFQs, orders to federal tech vendors

The fraudsters impersonated procurement officials to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in electronics and sell them on the black market without ever paying the vendor, according to an inspector general report. 

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 1, 2019

Trump: US to impose 10% tariffs on $300B in Chinese goods

The tariffs will take effect on Sept. 1, and negotiations will continue in early September. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated Aug. 2, 2019

White House backs importing drugs from abroad

The Trump administration's latest drug price plan features ideas Republicans traditionally oppose and breaks with past claims about the FDA's ability to safely oversee importation.

By Jonathan Gardner • July 31, 2019

Apple CEO dismisses possibility of moving production away from China

Tariffs have driven businesses across numerous industries to reduce sourcing from China and move production, but Tim Cook expressed confidence in Apple's global and diversified supply chain.

By Shefali Kapadia • July 31, 2019

Why Bumble Bee Foods chose blockchain to track its tuna supply

The single platform makes it easier to share information between multiple suppliers and vendors throughout the supply chain.

By Mitch Betts • July 31, 2019

Albertsons names Starbucks veteran as strategic sourcing VP

Jonathan Gardner, who spent nine years with the beverage giant, will help lead the expansion of Albertsons' goods not for resale division.

By Lauren Manning • July 31, 2019

Rising aluminum costs hit Heineken

The cost of aluminum has been an issue for beer makers for several quarters now, but other companies' troubles come from a different source.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 30, 2019

When your sole source supplier closes up shop, what happens next?

Adding supplier succession planning to risk management frameworks helps ensure ongoing operations as businesses change leadership. 

By Rich Weissman • July 25, 2019

LG Display looks to diversify suppliers over South Korea-Japan trade spat

The company's CFO said it will prepare to ensure uninterrupted sourcing in the short term and diversify its sourcing channels in the long term. 

By Matt Leonard • July 25, 2019

Caterpillar paid $70M in tariffs last quarter

The OEM reported higher manufacturing costs and some customers treading cautiously on large capital expenditures. 

By Shefali Kapadia • July 25, 2019

Hasbro warehousing costs up as it plans for tariffs

Even though no new tariffs were enacted on Hasbro's products, planning and risk mitigation led to greater expenses for the brand. 

By Shefali Kapadia • July 24, 2019

Harley-Davidson avoids massive EU tariff hike

Had the EU import tariff been approved at 31% and increased to 56% in 2021 as planned, it could have been a poison pill.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 24, 2019

Why are fashion supply chains so wasteful?

Consumer textile waste may be the larger problem, but the pre-consumer supply chain has wasteful practices built in to the way garments are designed and produced.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 23, 2019

Alibaba brings e-commerce platform to US businesses

As the Chinese e-commerce giant chases Amazon into the B2B market, it hopes to connect U.S. suppliers to the world.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 23, 2019

83% of fashion companies plan to reduce China sourcing

A new U.S. Fashion Industry Association report reveals sourcing costs and trade protectionism as top businesses challenges for this year. 

By Morgan Forde • July 22, 2019

Deliveroo will now buy and deliver ingredients to restaurants

The U.K.-based company claims its program, which procures food supplies on behalf of multiple eateries, can save small operators up to 40%.  

By Julie Littman • July 19, 2019

SAP extends hardware deal with Intel as part of broader partnership push

The Intel partnership could mean a smoother transition for users looking to deploy SAP's ERP software.

By Roberto Torres • July 19, 2019

Technology helps find new suppliers, but it's not the be-all and end-all

Buyers can benefit from using technology in highly saturated vendor markets, freeing up time for negotiation and spend management.

By Jen A. Miller • July 18, 2019

77% of procurement professionals expect a recession by 2021

Survey respondents fear a recession could lead to budget cuts, layoffs in their departments and the loss of suppliers and contract partners.

By Morgan Forde • July 18, 2019

Toyota to partner with world's largest electric car battery supplier

The partnership will help Toyota secure supply in an increasingly competitive race to scale up EV production in the next five to 10 years.

By Morgan Forde • July 17, 2019

77% of suppliers lack deforestation commitments

Investors and procurement organizations should be concerned that crucial commodities may be in jeopardy as deforestation advances.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 16, 2019