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

Explore the Trendline➔

Warehouse automation

Robotics and AI are two of the many tools warehouse operators are using to improve productivity.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

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

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

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

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

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