UPS to handle record 60M returns during peak shipping season

As returns activity increases, reverse logistics have become a vital part of the retail playbook to build customer loyalty. But costs are climbing.

By Max Garland • Jan. 7, 2022

Ikea doubles automation projects as store fulfillment grows

More than half of the store's volumes were fulfilled from stores in FY21, according to an Ikea franchisee.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 5, 2022

By the numbers: Biden reviews supply chain progress with task force

The Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force touted progress in relieving port congestion, stocking store shelves and boosting the workforce.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 4, 2022

J.C. Penney taps DoorDash for same-day delivery

The department store is building out its omnichannel capabilities as it tries to secure a lasting turnaround after last year's bankruptcy. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 23, 2021

Chico's to offer same-day delivery through Walmart GoLocal

The service for GoLocal's first fashion client launched in select locations on Dec. 16, including Chicago and Fort Myers, Florida.

By Maria Monteros • Dec. 22, 2021

Companies found creative ways to bolster inventory despite volatile 2021

Companies increased production, pulled forward orders and made other adjustments to stock up in the face of supply chain challenges.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 21, 2021

New Walmart fulfillment center to support retailer's next-day shipping push

The facility in Tennessee will use robots to find items within its storage system and bring them to employees for packing before shipping to customers.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 13, 2021

DoorDash plans to offer rapid delivery for retailers

The company is joining the 15-minute delivery fray in New York City with a full-time workforce, but it sees a "larger" opportunity to provide the service to grocers and convenience stores.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 13, 2021

Nordstrom leverages pack and hold inventory to mitigate supply chain risk

The retailer is revisiting an inventory strategy that helped it during an expansion period when it needed enough items for new store openings.

By Max Garland • Dec. 7, 2021

'Supply chain comes to the fore' for Under Armour in 20 months of tumult

Colin Browne says the pandemic sped up operational changes already underway at the sportswear brand. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 7, 2021

Ashley Furniture's trucking arm to get western boost with Wilson Logistics deal

Adding capacity is a strategic move for the retailer as port congestion persists in Southern California.

By S.L. Fuller • Dec. 3, 2021

Allbirds boosts inventories by 55% due to long lead times, high demand

The shoe and apparel company has relied on careful planning, secondary sourcing and regional diversification to keep product flowing.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 2, 2021

Furniture retailers struggle with depleted inventories after Vietnam lockdowns

Williams-Sonoma and La-Z-Boy expect continued inventory delays as factories work to ramp up production. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 1, 2021

Amazon, Walmart among 9 companies to receive FTC order for supply chain data

The information the FTC will solicit is at the forefront of supply chain managers' day-to-day operations, such as the disruptions to obtaining and transporting products.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 30, 2021

Walmart sees 51% increase in throughput at Southern California ports after Biden's shift to 24/7

Retailers brought a holiday wish list of additional supply chain actions to a White House meeting.

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 30, 2021

Gap could take $650M sales hit from supply chain woes

Factory closures and shipping backups are causing inventory shortages.

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 29, 2021

On-time rates dip for USPS and UPS, climb for FedEx ahead of holidays: Convey

Staffing shortages and upstream supply chain issues are slowing deliveries for last-mile parcel carriers, Convey by project44 said.

By Max Garland • Nov. 23, 2021

Kroger shares transaction-level data to help CPGs plan for demand

The grocer unveiled a collaborative cloud tool that aims to help clients make smarter decisions about everything from production levels to marketing spending amid supply chain disruptions.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 18, 2021

Wayfair's logistics service fuels capacity growth, strengthens carrier relations

"They need to partner with us because we have that dense network," CEO Niraj Shah said of the company's 16,000-plus suppliers.

By Max Garland • Nov. 16, 2021

Williams Sonoma debuts shipping membership program

For $99 per year, members have access to free shipping and other perks. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris and Alejandra Salgado • Nov. 16, 2021

Google, Kroger invest in Nuro as AV delivery gains momentum

The autonomous delivery company has agreed to use computing and storage capacity from Google Cloud to support development of its self-driving vehicles.

By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 10, 2021

Small businesses have their own set of supply chain challenges — and advantages

For small business owners, complex holiday logistics and a shorter supply chain mean they are doing much of the work with a shoestring staff.

By Kaarin Moore • Nov. 9, 2021

Port delays across the US double in-transit inventory times for Columbia Sportswear

The brand is encountering the bulk of its logistics issues in the U.S., as deliveries in Canada and Europe "have been much more timely," CEO Tim Boyle said.

By Max Garland • Nov. 8, 2021

Mattel nearshores manufacturing to bypass port bottlenecks during peak

For imported products, the toymaker locked in ocean freight capacity and rates well in advance of the holiday season.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 4, 2021

6 charts show the effects of Vietnam's lockdowns on supply chains

Brands with high exposure to Vietnam are seeing port delays, canceled orders and slow capacity recovery after months of COVID-19 related restrictions.

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 25, 2021