Kohl's 12-quarter inventory reduction streak ends

As new tariffs encourage inventory pull-forward and fulfillment commitments for e-commerce orders speed up, retailers have had to rethink where to store inventory and what healthy stock levels look like. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 21, 2019

Happy Returns launches cardboard-free returns program

The brand announced it will aggregate and ship consumer returns in reusable totes, eliminating cardboard waste and reducing the environmental impact of individual return shipments.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 20, 2019

Nestlé cuts 360 workers — 4,000 layoffs expected in logistics shift

Nestlé is on a mission to streamline its operations, and changing how it distributes frozen foods is one way it's looking to simplify and save.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 20, 2019

Kroger expands Express store pilot with Walgreens

The grocer will put mini stores inside 35 Walgreens in Knoxville, Tennessee while the drug retailer’s health and beauty brands will hit select Kroger locations in the same market.

By Jeff Wells • Aug. 19, 2019

Asos intervenes when supplier cuts off wages, water, food to workers

Working with a local labor union and the Mauritian government, Asos facilitated wage payouts after the factory stopped paying workers months before liquidation.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 19, 2019

AAFA: 77% of apparel, footwear imports to face tariffs Sept. 1

Although tariffs on some clothing and footwear are delayed until Dec. 15, the majority will still face duties at the beginning of next month. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 16, 2019

Walmart's omnichannel investments pay off in Q2

The quarter vindicated Walmart's investments in omnichannel capabilities and digital sales as U.S. comps rose 2.8% during a trying period for other retailers.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 15, 2019

Advance Auto Parts mitigates tariff impact through supplier collaboration, price hikes

The auto parts retailer's CFO highlighted how, even though gross profit margin declined in Q2, advanced preparation and reliance of in-house inventory will help it weather the storm. 

By Andy Burt • Aug. 14, 2019

Is Walmart doing enough to protect workers in its supply chain?

The retailer has been auditing, investigating and reporting on its supply chain to clean up labor abuses, but experts say many of the current best practices fall short.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 12, 2019

S&P: 10% list 4 tariffs more damaging than previous 3

Technology firms are particularly at risk, as funds directed to moving global supply chains lead to less money available to invest in R&D.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 8, 2019

Blackstone in talks to purchase 11 warehouses near JFK airport

The news comes after another recent logistics real estate acquisitions on the part of the investment firm, which has been looking to increasing e-commerce demand as a growth opportunity for its portfolio.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 6, 2019

Choosing the right fulfillment option is about weighing cost and speed

Target is fulfilling a majority of online orders from its stores, but that strategy may not be the ideal choice for every retailer.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 6, 2019

For a fast supply chain, Target is betting on in-store fulfillment

Retailers are putting physical stores at the center of e-commerce fulfillment and delivery, but the strategy requires a careful balance.

By Craig Guillot • Aug. 6, 2019

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

Shopify to invest $1B in fulfillment network after shipper interest exceeds expectations

COO Harvey Finkelstein said the fulfillment network, combined with other services Shopify offers like small business loans, are intended to create a "global retail operating system."

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 2, 2019

Wayfair touts growing logistics network despite financial losses

The retailer opened its 39th North American last-mile facility this past quarter, and CEO Niraj Shah called Wayfair's internal logistics capacity a "major differentiating advantage." 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 2, 2019

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

Under Armour's supply chain simplification boosts margins

Under Armour's gross margins were up 170 basis points in the second quarter thanks in part to supply chain efforts, said COO Patrik Frisk. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 1, 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

Retailers look to outsource more e-commerce fulfillment

Consumer expectations are driving retailers to fulfill orders more efficiently and accurately, requiring a strategic approach that may involve a hybrid of insourced and outsourced fulfillment operations. 

By Matt Leonard • July 30, 2019

As eBay, Shopify jump into the fulfillment game, are they playing offense or defense?

The CEO of eBay implied prices and shipping times may not match those of Fulfillment by Amazon, but its new e-commerce fulfillment service could offer other benefits to sellers.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 30, 2019

Tractor Supply's BOPIS strategy pays off in rural communities

On its Q2 earnings call, the company reported over 70% of online orders are now fulfilled in-store, which executives called encouraging as the company targets rural community market share through both brick-and-mortar and digital investments.

By Morgan Forde • July 30, 2019

CBP to pilot voluntary data collection on e-commerce shipments for security

Customs and Border Protection claims additional data on origin, content and recipient could help it screen high-volume, small package e-commerce shipments for dangerous items and could expedite border clearance.

By Morgan Forde • July 29, 2019

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo exit plastic lobbying group amid environmental concerns

The two soft drink giants have great influence within the industry and the move may encourage other companies to follow suit.

By Jessi Devenyns • July 26, 2019