More than half of hospital leaders see supply chain improvement as path to higher margins

Despite being a high priority, many hospitals rely on outdated methods to manage inventory and related costs, and some barely keep track at all according to a new survey. 

By Meg Bryant • March 7, 2019

Retailers take aim at packaging waste

The amount of packaging waste generated in the U.S. has increased by 185% between 1960 and 2016. Retailers are looking for a more sustainable way forward. 

By Matt Leonard • March 5, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Office Depot teams up with Alibaba

The U.S. retailer and the Chinese e-commerce firm are partnering to give small and medium-sized businesses access to Alibaba's global network of more than 150,000 suppliers.

By Dan O'Shea • March 5, 2019

Amazon unveils Project Zero to fight counterfeits

The company's automated technology will scan over 5 billion listings daily and will remove suspect products.

By Dan O'Shea • March 1, 2019

Washington state bill would make manufacturers responsible for plastic waste

House Bill 1204 would require plastic packaging producers to either participate in a stewardship organization by 2022 or stop using the materials.

By Cathy Siegner • March 1, 2019

Tate & Lyle partners with supplier, NGO to study stevia sustainability

Tate & Lyle and Sweet Green Fields are working with Earthwatch to understand the popular sweetener's supply chain.

By Jessi Devenyns • Feb. 28, 2019

Mercedes-Benz pilots blockchain to track supplier standards

Rolling out complex processes like blockchain often look fine on a project management Gantt chart but in reality are very tough to manage.

By Rich Weissman • Feb. 28, 2019

Lighthizer 'looking at' exclusion process on 10% tariffs

The U.S. Trade Representative repeated the administration's message of "progress" in trade discussions but emphasized the need for enforcement to hold China accountable. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 27, 2019

Environmental group launches supply chain sustainability website

A new website from the Environmental Defense Fund provides a variety of resources for anyone looking to understand how to implement sustainability goals.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 27, 2019

Foreign suppliers subject to FDA inspection under new food safety plan for imports

The agency will beef up inspections domestically and abroad, and use mandatory recall authority to limit risks from the 15% of the U.S. food supply that is imported.

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 27, 2019

Walmart bets on new high-tech consolidation center to win at 'inventory flow'

The center acts as a midway point in the supply chain and allows the retailer to move inventory based on real-time demand. 

By Jen A. Miller • Feb. 26, 2019

Accenture, Mastercard turn to blockchain to enable tips for producers

The application tracks the path of a product and verifies the identity of the producer, allowing consumers to give them a monetary tip. 

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 26, 2019

It's time to stop managing intellectual property on a wing and a prayer

Businesses are often confident in their top suppliers' systems to manage intellectual property and confidentiality, but confidence erodes in tiers two, three and beyond of the supply chain.

By Rich Weissman • Feb. 25, 2019

Trump delays tariff hike initially scheduled for March

Tariffs on $200 billion worth of imports from China will remain at 10%, and the President plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping "to conclude an agreement," Trump tweeted.

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 24, 2019

Retailers warn of Brexit-induced tariff hikes

Without a withdrawal treaty between the U.K. and EU, tariffs of up to 45% on "everyday food items" could be coming soon, according to retail groups. 

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 22, 2019

Kraft Heinz discloses SEC investigation into its procurement policies

The CPG giant found $25 million in procurement spend should have been recorded, a fraction of the company's total procurement spend of $11 billion. 

By Megan Poinski • Feb. 22, 2019

Cargill works toward deforestation-free supply chains by 2030

Two new policies on sustainable soy production in South America and human rights commitments, along with an updated Forest Policy, outline the company's plan for increasing sustainability within its supply of soy, cocoa and palm.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 21, 2019

John Deere's demand forecast in limbo amid trade uncertainty

An equipment purchase the size of a Deere tractor is an investment in the future of a farm, and uncertainty makes farmers hesitant to invest until the climate improves.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 21, 2019

Charmin, Angel Soft slammed for destructive procurement in 'tree to toilet pipeline'

The Natural Resources Defense Council called for leading brands to embrace sustainable practices and recycled materials, to "stop flushing forests down the toilet."

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 21, 2019

Starbucks' newest Bali location showcases coffee farming

The coffee chain's largest location in Southeast Asia, which includes interviews with farmers and a chance to visit the field, highlights its sustainability and ethical farming practices. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 20, 2019

Valentine's Day: When cacao isn't just another commodity

Sourcing enough chocolate to keep up with Valentine's Day demand is a vastly different experience depending on the maker, and the chocolate. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Feb. 14, 2019

Retail imports strong ahead of possible tariff hikes

Talks began in December to resolve the U.S. trade dispute with China, but retailers have been preparing for higher costs on imports since last year, according to the National Retail Federation.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Feb. 13, 2019

How companies overspend millions on IT procurement

If a company doesn't know what it already has, it's easy to buy the same thing again — and again, and again.

By Jen A. Miller • Feb. 12, 2019

Cargill commits to sustainably sourced seaweed

Through the Red Seaweed Promise, the company will work with producers on "improving production and harvest practices."

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 8, 2019

Tariff hike delay has helped out ag shippers, but not for long

Though a stay of tariff increases got soybeans moving again, the looming March 1 deadline for another tariff hike means traders and farmers are still in uncertain terrain. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 8, 2019