COVID-19 changed the stakes for e-commerce. Do fulfillment networks need to change too?

A global pandemic that drove consumers into their homes, cratered demand for discretionary goods and upped screen time has changed the risk calculus for e-commerce fulfillment.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 12, 2020

45% of apparel buyers working with suppliers to cut costs: McKinsey

A survey of 116 apparel sourcing executives found one-fifth are paying for 75% or more of their orders as originally agreed, while 18% are paying no vendors as agreed.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 7, 2020

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Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating rising costs, network changes and logistics disruptions across global supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

The 5 calling cards of a strong supplier relationship

A crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is possibly the best time to work on building stronger relationships with new and pre-existing suppliers, writes Neils Bray, an account manager at LINTEC Automotive.

By Neils Bray • May 7, 2020

Coronavirus hit XPO revenue in Q1 despite demand surge from some shippers

The company's revenue fell in its transportation and logistics segment, but it did see some customers looking for capacity to cover a surge in demand.

By Matt Leonard • May 5, 2020

Wearables could be key for worker safety as warehouses, manufacturers eager to reopen

Wristbands connected to the Internet of Things present a possible safety solution, as well as privacy concerns.​

By Jen A. Miller • May 5, 2020

USDA to purchase $470M in surplus meat, dairy and produce

After facing criticism that the government's efforts have been slow to help producers during the pandemic, the department said this will allow food to be distributed to communities nationwide.

By Lillianna Byington • May 5, 2020

Quarterly inventories fall for first time since 2018

Depleted inventories in the first quarter were largely the result of supply issues, but this will transition to a demand-driven reduction moving forward, experts suggest.

By Matt Leonard • May 4, 2020

7 states form regional supply chain to buy $5B in medical equipment to fight coronavirus

Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island want to use their combined purchasing power to drive down prices for in-demand items like ventilators and personal protective equipment.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 4, 2020

Cummins: Supplier visibility, Mexico production are top supply chain concerns

Hundreds of manufacturing plants across Mexico are closed, and Cummins' COO said details are hard to come by on which suppliers are shutting down and what they're doing to keep workers safe. 

By Matt Leonard • May 1, 2020

Medical association pushes US to lift tariffs on Chinese imports of devices needed to fight COVID-19

The trade group wants indefinite exemptions for imaging components and devices used in ventilators, among other items. It also floated a compromise: re-imposing them one year after the pandemic passes.

By Nick Paul Taylor • April 30, 2020

Suppliers feel retail's pain

As retailers cancel orders and hold payments, their vendors are stretched for cash, making hard decisions and worrying about what comes next. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 29, 2020

3 years, 3 cyberattacks on major ocean carriers. How can shippers protect themselves?

Shippers and freight forwarders have a role to play in vetting supply chain partners' risks and keeping their data and cargo safe.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 29, 2020

Adidas manages supplier relations to end 2020 with 'reasonable inventory'

Adidas listed "supply chain responsibility" among its priorities in the wake of COVID-19 disruptions but continues to cancel and postpone orders. 

By Emma Cosgrove • April 29, 2020

Coronavirus-driven robotics adoption could become a fixture

The key will be for manufacturing leaders to coordinate and move from pilot to production quickly, one expert said.

By Craig Guillot • April 28, 2020

Pandemic could cost Tractor Supply an extra $50M in operations spend

Most of the expected expenses, about 80%, are related to labor or benefits, while the remaining 20% is for supplies, safety and cleaning, executives said.

By Matt Leonard • April 28, 2020

Blank sailings have reached their scheduled peak

Ocean carrier schedule reliability dropped to 68% in the first quarter of 2020 and could continue to struggle as a result of blank sailings in April.

By Matt Leonard • April 28, 2020

PwC: Supply chains unlikely to relocate post-coronavirus

Immediate supply chain concerns are waning as CFOs gain clarity on what to expect in the short term and what kind of changes are necessary to weather shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic in the future. 

By Emma Cosgrove • April 28, 2020

UAW says May start is too early for automotive manufacturing

Last week, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the state's stay-at-home order until May 15. The UAW said it supported the extension.

By Matt Leonard • April 27, 2020

Boeing launches operations group to prep post-pandemic supply chain

The group will help get the company back into competitive mode as it restarts commercial airplane operations in Washington State later this week. 

By Jane Thier • April 22, 2020

Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk beat IMO's 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by a decade

Experts remain optimistic about the industry's ability to maintain progress on sustainability efforts despite significant disruption from the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Morgan Forde • April 22, 2020

Primark commits to accepting $455M in finished stock from suppliers

After a month of "extensive one-to-one conversations" with suppliers concerning the coronavirus, the Dublin-based retailer is accepting additional finished and in-transit products. 

By S.L. Fuller • April 22, 2020

Manufacturers call on government to incentivize production pivots to PPE

The manufacturing industry is calling on Congress to provide more financial incentives for businesses that switch to producing essential goods, including PPE.

By Matt Leonard • April 22, 2020

35% of ports say demand for food, medical supplies storage increased

While some ports are managing increased stockpiling of essential goods, others are adjusting to a decrease in storage utilization of conventional cargo.

By Matt Leonard • April 21, 2020

Carrier force majeure explained

A basic understanding of force majeure — and the real reason carriers make the declaration — may help to lessen some of the panic they generate.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 20, 2020

Kansas City Southern doubles down on PSR to deal with coronavirus 'curveball'

An even more aggressive focus on efficiency will get Kansas City Southern through the COVID-19 crisis, which hit the automotive industry — a particularly important customer segment — hard and early, executives said.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 20, 2020