The supply chain behind turning unusual materials into textiles

Businesses are mining waste products for fiber production, giving rise to dozens of new alternative fibers on the market made from everything from mushroom roots to spoiled milk. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 11, 2018

Imports reach record 2M TEUs as retailers rush to beat tariffs

The National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates expect a slowdown in January 2019, as tariffs take a toll on consumer and industry confidence. 

By Barry Hochfelder • Dec. 10, 2018

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

Will automation take online grocery to the next level?

Using robots to fill and deliver orders promises to save retailers money and boost consumer demand, but with the technology still in its test phase, the broader impact remains unclear.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 10, 2018

Tariffs will test low-margin business, Dollar Tree CEO says

Since the discount store's customers will not abide a price increase, CEO Gary Philbin said that when it comes to tariffs: "We've got to be just better buyers."

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 5, 2018

A tale of 2 peak season inventory strategies

Based on the steps taken for peak season preparation described by Target and Kohl's, fulfillment strategy doesn't necessarily match inventory strategy. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 4, 2018

Spelling out the omnichannel alphabet soup

Four acronyms reflect the varied strategies retailers are pursuing to fulfill online and digitally-placed store orders.

By Jacqueline Smith Renfrow • Dec. 4, 2018

Is BOSS the new BOPIS?

In-store pickup and ship-to-store fulfillment models have distinct challenges — and advantages.

By Jacqueline Smith Renfrow • Dec. 4, 2018

Executive of the Year: Michelle Gass, Kohl's

Michelle Gass has not just been a positive force for Kohl's — experts believe her rise is good news for supply chain executives everywhere.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 3, 2018

Resilience Plan of the Year: Hasbro's inventory management strategy

Strategic forecasting and demand planning allowed the toy manufacturer to mitigate a major risk event.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 3, 2018

Omnichannel is the real Thanksgiving retail winner

The number of shoppers making purchases both in person and online was up nearly 40% from Black Friday to Cyber Monday last year.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 28, 2018

Third-party sellers from China dominate Amazon's apparel offerings

Amazon's exploding apparel category presents a global fulfillment challenge that isn't getting any easier. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 27, 2018

Amazon reports biggest shopping day ever on Cyber Monday

Customers globally are flocking to the e-commerce giant for the holidays, but in the U.S. the best deals in some categories are found elsewhere.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 27, 2018

The winners and losers of Black Friday 2018

Some retailers delighted their customers with promotions and free shipping while others crashed and burned. 

By Kaarin Moore • Nov. 25, 2018

Williams-Sonoma lays out 'aggressive plan' to mitigate China tariffs

CEO Laura Alber said the retailer is "lucky" to have a vertically integrated supply chain and close relationship with vendors, allowing it to make necessary adjustments to sourcing. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 21, 2018

Why Amazon picked Nashville, Tennessee

New York City and Northern Virginia are grabbing HQ2 headlines. But Music City scored too.

By Jen A. Miller • Nov. 20, 2018

A Thanksgiving food waste experiment for every supply chain

Just because an unsold item won't rot, doesn't mean it isn't waste. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 16, 2018

Walmart exploring delivery via driverless vehicle

The retail giant is teaming with Ford and Postmates to inch a little closer to the concept of a driverless vehicle delivering groceries to customer homes.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 15, 2018

Amazon to build supply chain hub in Nashville

The tech giant said it would build an Operations Center of Excellence in the Tennessee capital, in addition to new headquarters in New York City and Northern Virginia.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 13, 2018

Alibaba rings up $31B on 10th Singles Day

The Chinese e-commerce giant broke another record during the 24-hour sale holiday, fulfilling more than one billion orders. 

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 12, 2018

Consumer inventory visibility drops as omnichannel heats up

Retailers are choosing to show online customers passive, rather than active, inventory visibility, a study finds.

By Jacqueline Smith Renfrow • Nov. 8, 2018

Amazon plans to hire thousands of seasonal delivery drivers

The move is another step by the e-commerce giant to obtain greater control over the last mile of its supply chain.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 6, 2018

Trucking prices climb as economy continues to expand

Carriers are determined to grow capacity amid seemingly unending demand for freight.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 6, 2018

Amazon expands free holiday shipping to non-Prime members

The e-commerce giant may be feeling pressure from brick-and-mortar rivals like Target and Walmart, which have launched free shipping deals for the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 5, 2018

Tariffs push PriceSmart to shift distribution model

The big box retailer is opening a distribution center in Costa Rica, as Miami has become less cost efficient for importing goods from China.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 5, 2018

Lowe's fills vacant CIO role with retail tech veteran

Seemantini Godbole fills the CIO role after the home improvement company quietly announced its vacancy in its Q2 FY18 earnings call.

By Samantha Schwartz • Nov. 5, 2018