Tariffs threaten The Container Store's turnaround

The retailer says it is working to mitigate the impact of new tariffs on Chinese goods, which made up 37% of its products last year.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 2, 2018

Retailers leverage warehouses for new pre-purchase model: BOSS

Pre-purchase schemes like BOPIS and BOSS will bolster a big peak season at retail for those with the right supply chain setup.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 31, 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

Hershey's new supply chain recipe

A modern Hershey is an expensive Hershey, but as long as sales are growing execs still say things are sweet.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 30, 2018

Schnucks to expand use of in-store inventory robots

The Midwestern retailer said it would put the aisle-scanning Tally in 15 stores following a successful pilot last summer. 

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 30, 2018

Which apparel players have the fastest lead times?

Speeding up and segmenting development processes so teams are working on fewer collections at once is just one way to generate faster results, according to an executive survey. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 29, 2018

Autonomous delivery and e-commerce keep Kroger 'relevant'

In a keynote session at Groceryshop in Las Vegas, Yael Cosset said the retailer's collaboration and investments are all aimed at becoming the "most relevant" offer for shoppers.

By Krishna Thakker • Oct. 29, 2018

Target hits the bullseye with agile tech and operations

The retailer has had to rise to the demand of the 21st century — a blend of "digital, home and store."

By Samantha Schwartz • Oct. 25, 2018

Sears owes these 7 suppliers — and many more — millions in payments

Vendors are reacting to Sears' bankruptcy filing through court motions, lawsuits and withholding of inventory, all of which could determine the fate of the floundering retailer.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 24, 2018

Target announces free 2-day shipping this holiday season

The development is a competitive jab at rivals Walmart and Amazon, as is the company's expansion of its Drive Up service to nearly 1,000 stores.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 23, 2018

Suppliers challenge Sears on multiple fronts in Ch. 11

Vendors to the bankrupt retailer have sued, questioning its store liquidation plans and stopping shipments as Sears tries to reorganize. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 23, 2018

Walmart finds ops savings in floor wax, light bulbs

Small changes to retailer's mammoth operation add up to big bucks, setting it up for a growth stage focused on technology.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 23, 2018

Walmart will expand 2-day shipping, in-store returns

The changes, rolling out in November, are bound to stress the supply chain but could also give the retailer a leg up on its competitors. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 23, 2018

Pier 1 leans on fulfillment efficiency to revive slipping sales

Initiatives such as a new distribution scheme and warehouse consolidation are part of a broader strategy to address "execution issues" in the company's supply chain, executives said in an earnings call.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 19, 2018

Walmart's newest high-tech warehouse will automatically load pallets

The facility, set to open in 2020, will be 40% more efficient than traditional warehouses and require several STEM-educated workers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 18, 2018

Burberry tightens lead times with monthly product releases

The luxury apparel brand's move toward fast fashion and a lean model may be innovative in the fashion world, but it's old hat in traditional manufacturing. 

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 18, 2018

Slashing store footprint did little to improve Sears' operating ratio

Sharp declines in revenue and missed vendor payments preceded the retailer's bankruptcy filing — a move many in the industry expected.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 16, 2018

Apparel companies eye nearshoring to cut lead times

The tradeoff between higher cost of manufacturing versus lower freight rates, combined with the need for speed, will drive apparel companies moving forward. 

By Andy Burt • Oct. 16, 2018

4 trends in order fulfillment

Whether tapping into new fulfillment services, technologies or markets, shippers are all working toward "fast and free."

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 15, 2018

2 retail models to 'crack the nut' of subscription-box fulfillment

With a built-in customer base, traditional retailers don’t start from scratch, but starting a new sales channel requires different ways of thinking.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Oct. 15, 2018

In the warehouse, bigger isn't always better

Supply chains are being redesigned to fulfill orders faster, and warehouse technology is emerging as a centerpiece.

By Jacqueline Renfrow • Oct. 15, 2018

Managing inventory: What retail can learn from pharma

At a high level, the two industries have much in common, and retailers can learn from the discipline inherent in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Oct. 15, 2018

Sears filed for Chapter 11 with plans to close 142 stores — now what?

As part of the retailer's plan to reorganize, CEO Eddie Lampert is stepping down as chief executive — at the same time his hedge fund is mulling a bid for Sears in Chapter 11.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 15, 2018

RFID can achieve near 100% order accuracy, study says

"We can end claims and chargebacks right now," said Justin Patton, director of Auburn University's RFID Lab. "That's billions of dollars saved."

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 11, 2018

Tariffs are not slowing down retail imports

As retailers struggle to change their sourcing, imports continue to rise to meet consumer demand. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 10, 2018

Rampant returns and what to do about them

Millions of packages will be returned this holiday season, forcing an uncomfortable question on retailers: Is it cheaper to resell or destroy an unwanted product?

By Jen A. Miller • Oct. 9, 2018