Supply chain stakes — and questions — increase as Gap, Old Navy split

Executives on Gap's fourth quarter earnings call said the brands' supply chains have become nearly as different as their target customer. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 5, 2019

CEVA Logistics to run IKEA's New York Distribution Centre

The distribution center will support purchases from IKEA's Manhattan Planning Studio, the first of its kind in the United States.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • March 4, 2019

Macy's scales up 'hold and flow' for inventory management

The retailer will use data analytics to guide inventory decisions to gain competitive advantage against its digital rivals. 

By Matt Leonard • March 4, 2019

Lowe's plan to stay in stock takes shape despite stumbles

Improving in-stock status is the number one priority for Marvin Ellison, who took over in June 2018 and immediately directed the company's focus toward a more effective and streamlined supply chain.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 4, 2019

Inside Ahold Delhaize's supply chain innovation arm

The new team is tasked with evaluating technologies that can help Ahold Delhaize's supply chain better deliver for its stores.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 28, 2019

Stop & Shop will open more automated fulfillment centers this year

Ahold Delhaize will roll out "several" additional small-scale e-commerce facilities across the chain, with deployment accelerating in 2020.

By Jeff Wells • Feb. 27, 2019

Foot Locker CEO explains the trouble with mini-hubs

To fulfill e-commerce orders with the speed consumers expect, Foot Locker is opening "mini-hubs," but CEO Dick Johnson said more precise fulfillment requires a deeper understanding of inventory needs. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 26, 2019

Most BOPIS shoppers make additional purchases in store

A study by return provider Doddle found that 85% of shoppers using the service buy more products when they're picking up purchases.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 26, 2019

Home Depot backs crowdsourced delivery startup Roadie

Roadie's gig-based "on-the-way" model not only theoretically reduces the carbon footprint of same-day delivery service, but it also allows retailers to flex up and down their delivery capacity as needed. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 22, 2019

FedEx, Rent the Runway team up on 'extra hours' service

Fast fulfillment and shipping is especially crucial for a company whose business model is built on rentals.

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 22, 2019

Walmart faces growing pains as e-commerce sales surge 40%

The management team said increased investment in fulfillment has helped drive the growth, but work needs to be done to make it more profitable. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 20, 2019

How retailers are planning ahead amid tariff turmoil

Supply chain managers aim for best practices in cost control, low inventory numbers and short lead times, even in an uncertain trade climate.

By Craig Guillot • Feb. 19, 2019

Avon slashes SKUs to bring down inventory burden

Avon executives sang a common song for companies whose supply chains have not caught up with the times: siloed information and processes that don't communicate make for complexity and cost. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 18, 2019

Walmart and Deliv terminate grocery delivery partnership

The deal ended because of low order volumes and lengthy fulfillment times that kept drivers waiting 40 minutes or more, according to Reuters. 

By Krishna Thakker • Feb. 13, 2019

Markdowns cost retailers $300B last year

E-commerce is making inventory management more difficult, according to a report from Coresight Research and inventory analytics firm Celect.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 11, 2019

Post Toys R Us, Mattel and Hasbro on different paths

Net sales fell further at Hasbro, but both toymakers face other challenges in a market with negative growth.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 8, 2019

Dollar General completes construction on Texas distribution center

The facility in Longview, Texas, is scheduled to open this spring and is part of the retailer's efforts to reduce truck mileage and costs.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 4, 2019

Amazon leans on services for growth, builds out last mile

Natural maturity and advancing competition are pressuring the company, but its services are filling gaps and protecting margins.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 1, 2019

J.Crew Group selects sustainable denim supplier. Is it a natural fit?

Apparel retailers are increasingly proactive in pursuing sustainable sourcing, but social pressures and outright crisis still play a hand in redirecting the industry. 

By Andy Burt • Jan. 31, 2019

Retail real estate finds new life as warehouse space

Former big-box stores that now lay vacant make an ideal location for warehouse space, but conversion isn't always easy.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 30, 2019

Low inventory trend stings suppliers, McCormick says

Retailers have been eschewing inventory in recent months to bolster margins and increase efficiency, but McCormick executives believe this trend isn't serving the customer, let alone company revenues.  

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 29, 2019

Walmart raises wages, introduces mentoring for truck drivers

The retailer's new onboarding process suggests truck drivers are changing, and the job needs to change with them.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 24, 2019

Patagonia aims for carbon-neutral supply chain by 2025

At NRF's Big Show, CEO Rose Marcario discussed efforts to make the supply chain more sustainable, and why taking a stand doesn't hurt business.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 16, 2019

Carrefour turns to AI for demand forecasting

The French grocer will be using SAS technology called Viya for data analysis to better forecast demand, improve stock and reduce waste in its stores. 

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 16, 2019

Supply chain optimization slowly gains traction at Retail's Big Show

Retailers that leverage fulfillment strategies and clean data are on the right path to making customers happy. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 16, 2019