Report: Apple asks suppliers to model cost of production outside China

Apple testified Thursday in U.S. Trade Representative hearings and said the list four tariffs would "tilt the playing field in favor of our global competitors."

By Morgan Forde • June 20, 2019

Shopify launches fulfillment network

The new machine-learning tech "predicts the closest fulfillment centers and optimal inventory quantities per location to ensure fast, low-cost delivery," according to a company blog post. 

By Daphne Howland • June 20, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management as an effective strategy against tariffs.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

H&M 1st to trial Maersk's carbon neutral transport

Both companies are perceived as sustainability leaders in their industries and have set ambitious carbon reduction goals.

By Shefali Kapadia • June 20, 2019

Trump, Xi to resume US-China trade talks at upcoming G20 summit

Businesses on both sides of the Pacific hope for a resolution, or at least a stabilization, of the unpredictable trade war.

By Morgan Forde • June 19, 2019

Gap, Adidas, Nike rank top 5 in Better Cotton leaderboard

The top 15 companies in BCI's rankings account for 88% of the Better Cotton sourced in 2018.

By Andy Burt • June 19, 2019

FedEx to offer parcel pickup, drop-off in 8K Dollar General stores

Dollar General's significant rural footprint and popularity with customers helped drive the partnership.

By Morgan Forde • June 18, 2019

Walmart updates supplier pricing tool to manage tariff costs

The new tool for suppliers is proof the price hikes Walmart executives predicted are not just likely, but the system designed to enable them is already in place.

By Morgan Forde • June 13, 2019

Apple, Nintendo prepared to move production out of China

Foxconn, a Taiwanese manufacturer that builds Apple's iPhones in China, said its global manufacturing capacity outside of China would be expanded to meet customer needs if necessary.

By Morgan Forde • June 12, 2019

NRF predicts US imports will climb as trade war continues

The tariff rate increase on $200 billion in Chinese goods was delayed until Saturday, but this small stay won't keep retailers from upping their imports, according to the National Retail Federation. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 10, 2019

Walmart takes last-mile delivery to the fridge

The company will launch a service that delivers groceries directly inside homes this fall in Kansas City, Missouri; Pittsburgh; and Vero Beach, Florida.

By Jeff Wells • June 7, 2019

Gap commits to 100% sustainable cotton sourcing

Additionally, the apparel brand considers the entire life cycle of a garment in its sustainability accounting, as many textiles end up in the landfill.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 7, 2019

Online grocery could increase cold storage demand by 100M square feet

Accelerating demand for cold storage space could create a supply-demand imbalance due to the specialization and resource-intensive nature of cold-storage construction.

By Morgan Forde • June 6, 2019

Tariffs could raise prices up to $25 at Ugg, Calvin Klein

Apparel brands that were safe from the Trump administration's tariff increases now find themselves highly exposed to the proposed tranche four tariffs, which include apparel, leather and textiles. 

By Morgan Forde • June 5, 2019

Off-price retailers emerge as rare winners in trade war

Any business that can capitalize on uncertainty is sure to fair well in the midst of a global trade war. Burlington, Ross and TJX are able to do just that.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 5, 2019

At Nordstrom, the next evolution of BOPIS emerges

Brick-and-mortar retailers have embraced omnichannel strategies, but they're still figuring out one of their biggest headaches — processing returns.

By Jen A. Miller • June 4, 2019

Carrefour boosts sales with blockchain initiative

The grocer's 2.7% sales growth shows a measurable benefit to the ability to track products through their supply chains. 

By Morgan Forde • June 4, 2019

Williams-Sonoma will halve China sourcing in the next year

The retailer made 2019 forecasts anticipating a jump from 10% to 25% on list three tariffs and "unfortunately, our pessimism turned out to be true," said CFO Julie Whalen on a recent earnings call. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 4, 2019

Dollar stores prepare to pass on new tariffs to shoppers

On recent earnings calls, both retailers touted their teams' ability to mitigate list three tariffs, even after the increase from 10% to 25% on May 10. But list four is another story. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 3, 2019

Dollar General to open 3 new warehouses for fresh program

CEO Todd Vasos said the benefits are already evident through better in-stock status and lower cost of goods. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 31, 2019

Dick's CEO: Impact of new tariffs unknown despite tranche 4 exposure

Assuming the implementation of tranche four, Dick's total tariff exposure will go from 5% of inventory to 38%, according to a J.P. Morgan analysis.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 30, 2019

New tariffs could imperil Best Buy, Dick's and Bed Bath & Beyond

J.P. Morgan looks at which retailers would lose the most in a "disaster" scenario after the Trump Administration's latest trade salvos.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 29, 2019

Report: Amazon offers discounted warehouse space to fuel 1-day shipping

The news of Amazon incentivizing sellers to store more inventory signals changes in fulfillment to make 1-day delivery a reality. 

By Shefali Kapadia • May 28, 2019

Target cuts costs 40% through store fulfillment

As the retailer continues its store-centric fulfillment model, it will require strong inventory management practices to ensure the right balance of SKUs are available in stores to meet consumer demand.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 23, 2019

Kohl's prepares for diminishing gross margins amid tariff hike

CEO Michelle Gass described the situation as "fluid," encapsulating the near-universal struggle for retailers importing products from China — the lack of certainty in the trade landscape.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 22, 2019

Loop's 'waste-free' e-commerce platform launches with P&G, Kroger, Walgreens on board

Circular packaging requires a change in consumer behavior, but perhaps most significant is the operational shift required of Loop's corporate partners, in what executives described as a grand experiment.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 22, 2019