Trader Joe's to curb plastic packaging in stores

The retailer aims to build on its recent sustainability initiatives by selling more loose produce items, replacing floral and greeting cards packaging with renewable alternatives and more. 

By Lauren Manning • March 12, 2019

Walmart planning new returns process at front of stores

The retailer's U.S. CEO said customers will be able to get refunds from employees stationed just inside store entrances.

By Dan O'Shea • March 8, 2019

Dollar Tree builds business plans for 25% tariffs

In planning for the worst-case scenario, the discount retailer opens the possibility of increased margins in the latter half of 2019 if tariffs do not rise.

By Shefali Kapadia • March 8, 2019

Walmart tightens on-time, in-full rate for suppliers to 87%

The retailer toughened its OTIF policy from the previous requirement of 85% as it seeks greater control over inventory. 

By Matt Leonard • March 8, 2019

Kohl's cuts inventory for 12th quarter in a row

The retailer keeps inventory on a downward slope through its "speed initiative," which seeks to reduce lead times and quickly fulfill orders. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 6, 2019

Target touts store-centric model after record peak season

In the fourth quarter, CEO Brian Cornell saw the progress he had previously promised as scale and supply chain investments started to pay off. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 6, 2019

Retailers take aim at packaging waste

The amount of packaging waste generated in the U.S. has increased by 185% between 1960 and 2016. Retailers are looking for a more sustainable way forward. 

By Matt Leonard • March 5, 2019

Office Depot teams up with Alibaba

The U.S. retailer and the Chinese e-commerce firm are partnering to give small and medium-sized businesses access to Alibaba's global network of more than 150,000 suppliers.

By Dan O'Shea • March 5, 2019

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