Did suppliers, not Amazon, create the retail apocalypse?

While blame for brick-and-mortar store closures often falls on Amazon, many suppliers are selling directly to consumers and circumventing the retailer. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 6, 2018

Mastercard partners with AI startup to streamline freight payments

The partnership is expected to improve payment transparency and efficiency for small and medium-sized businesses in supply chain.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 6, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Apple may be tightening control over its supply chain — again

The tech giant has been moving aspects of its supply chain in-house in order to improve profit margins and lower costs.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 5, 2018

Walmart, Target race to fill Toys R Us void

Two of Toys R Us' closest competitors are preparing to stock up this holiday season now that "toy volume is up for grabs."

By Edwin Lopez • June 4, 2018

Tesla doubles mineral suppliers as it ramps up Model 3 production

Rooting out conflict minerals is a challenging issue, especially in a global supply chain. 

By Rich Weissman • June 4, 2018

Apparel brands take a closer look at sourcing after cotton ban

U.S. Customs and Border Protection filed a detention order for all cotton from Turkmenistan after discovering state-orchestrated forced labor. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 1, 2018

Food industry braces for impact from Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs

Production costs for canned foods and beverages are likely to rise as import taxes of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum are imposed on Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

By Cathy Siegner • June 1, 2018

US moves forward with steel tariffs on EU, Canada, Mexico

The 25% steel and 10% aluminum tariffs on imports from the countries will go into effect at midnight tonight.

By Edwin Lopez • May 31, 2018

UK small business federation decries 'supply chain bullying'

In a letter to FTSE 100 companies, the federation chairman said unhealthy co-dependency between manufacturers and their suppliers can give way to malpractice.

By Kate Patrick Macri • May 30, 2018

US slaps 25% tariff on $50B of Chinese imports

The tariffs, meant to punish China for its intellectual property policies, came earlier than expected.

By Edwin Lopez • May 29, 2018

How to attract more women to supply chain management

Robust benefits packages and mentorship programs can make a huge difference in finding and retaining women in the workforce.

By Tisha Danehl • May 29, 2018

Neiman Marcus adopts SaaS platform to boost supplier collaboration

The retailer will now be able to share and receive product data from suppliers like Prada and Marc Jacobs, which are already using SKYPAD.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 24, 2018

As Intel tackles forced labor head on, violations fall 60%

Formerly a manager at an Intel supplier, Rich Weissman writes on the power a culture of action can have on supply chains.

By Rich Weissman • May 24, 2018

Blockchain in Supply Chain Alliance will focus on procurement, warehousing

BiSCA could accelerate the technology's adoption, helping industries draw on one another to determine best use cases.

By Kate Patrick Macri • May 23, 2018

High demand — and high pay — for supply chain managers focused on market intel

Professional specialization in demand forecasting, predictive analytics and meeting consumer demands "just in time" drives a premium for services. 

By Kate Patrick Macri • May 23, 2018

Smart manufacturing challenges businesses to rethink sourcing

Buying sensors and software for Industry 4.0 requires a fundamental change in mindset and relationships with suppliers. 

By Shefali Kapadia • May 21, 2018

Home Depot returns to Gartner's Top 25 with focus on omnichannel

The retailer had fallen off the charts for three years, but bounced back strong with priorities on inventory and profits. 

By Edwin Lopez • May 21, 2018

With China tariffs in flux, supply chains set sights on Vietnam

Exports from Vietnam to the U.S. doubled in the last five years, but concerns plague supplier quality and visibility. 

By Shefali Kapadia • May 21, 2018

Burberry will acquire its supplier for 'greater control'

But buying a supplier may not be the best way to gain control over a company's supply chain. 

By Rich Weissman • May 18, 2018

Return on 'Integrity': The next performance metric?

Measuring the return on investment of intuitive decisions requires trusting the judgment of supply chain professionals. 

By Rich Weissman • May 17, 2018

OEM-supplier relationships slump in 2018

If supplier relations aren't a priority, profit margins and competitiveness may decrease while supply chain risk increases.

By Kate Patrick Macri • May 16, 2018

The world's most resilient countries rely on great infrastructure

How quickly countries can rebuild after a natural disaster is an important factor in sourcing decisions. 

By Shefali Kapadia • May 16, 2018

Walmart sourcing executive lands at Target

William Foudy has more than 25 years of experience in the sourcing industry and has led international teams for brands including Adidas and Nike.

By Daphne Howland • May 16, 2018

Tech's benefits for procurement are endless, but useless without baseline data

Procurement leaders' frequent interactions with suppliers can help them gather external data needed for their companies to innovate.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 15, 2018

Supplier competition heats up as retailers focus on speed and precision

Suppliers and manufacturers must adopt retailer tactics to improve their own supply chains or else lose business.

By Kate Patrick Macri • May 15, 2018