With the right mindset, returns present opportunity — not just liability

Reverse logistics was a frequent source of anxiety at ASCM 2019 as supply chains reckon with the onslaught of returns. With no hope of turning back, experts say it's time to take returns seriously.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 19, 2019

Are big CPG companies getting serious about reducing plastic packaging?

Nestlé's new research institute will devise more environmentally friendly solutions, and PepsiCo plans to reduce the amount of virgin plastic in its beverage containers by 2025.

By Cathy Siegner • Sept. 16, 2019

China sourcing risks rise with connections to labor camps

Firms may miss ties to forced labor if they don't look deep enough into their supplier networks, a report from Verisk Maplecroft cautions. 

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 12, 2019

H&M, Vans boycott Brazilian leather as fires burn in Amazon rainforest

Real estate speculators and ranchers suspected to be responsible for the deforestation have been tied to major importers of beef and leather.

By Andy Burt • Sept. 11, 2019

Spot markets likely to tighten after Dorian clears US shores

Trucking demand is likely to increase as the storm clears the U.S. East Coast and shippers rush to get freight back on course.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 6, 2019

Esprit ceases work with Myanmar military-linked supplier

The decision follows a U.N. fact-finding mission report urging all foreign companies to scrutinize any business they conduct in the country to avoid ties to the military.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 5, 2019

Target to suppliers: Keep tariffs to yourself

The U.S.-China trade war is starting to create stark contrast between which suppliers and retailers have the power to shift the burden away from their own balance sheets and which do not. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 5, 2019

Hurricane Dorian disrupts parcel carriers

On top of flooding, death and destruction, Hurricane Dorian is likely to gum up the works of logistics providers for days after it moves up the East Coast toward Canada. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 5, 2019

USPS warns shippers 'no longer eligible for discounted rates' if US leaves postal union

USPS warned customers out of an "abundance of caution" that previously negotiated rates for international shipping may be null on Oct. 1 — creating even more uncertainty for cross border e-commerce going into peak season. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 4, 2019

ISM manufacturing index contracts, ending 35 months of growth

The index fell to 49.1% in August, down from 51.2% in July, the lowest rate seen since January 2016. 

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 4, 2019

Number of trucking companies out of business in 1st half of 2019 exceeds 2018 total

Analysts blame new trucks and higher driver salaries as two factors creating increased costs for trucking companies.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 4, 2019

Only 20% of companies are optimistic about their future in China, survey finds

Despite uncertainty, the US-China Business Council's member survey found 87% of companies do not plan to move operations out of China. 

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 3, 2019

Ports remain closed as Hurricane Dorian crawls north along the East Coast

The Florida coast is out of the "cone of uncertainty," but this storm has proven to be unpredictable and authorities are still urging all affected areas to heed warnings and instructions. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Sept. 4, 2019

Florida Ports on alert, FMCSA suspends HOS enforcement ahead of Hurricane Dorian

Dorian will likely develop into a Category 4 storm as it nears Florida. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 30, 2019

Hospitals ration treatment due to supply shortages of immune globulin drug

The reintroduction of an intravenous immune globulin product to the U.S. market could help ease a supply crunch.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 29, 2019

Preparing for Brexit, UK plans $36.6M in grants for port upgrades

The U.K. Department for Transport announced this morning it will allocate 30 million British pounds ($36.6 million) to improve infrastructure at, and connecting to, major ports in anticipation of increased traffic and wait times in the event of a no-deal Brexit this fall.

By Morgan Forde • Updated Aug. 30, 2019

Williams-Sonoma pulling forward 'as much inventory as possible' ahead of list 4 tariffs

The retailer on Wednesday raised its full-year net revenue forecast for the second time this year, even after factoring in the tariff increases the Trump administration announced last week.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 29, 2019

Florida ports prepare as Dorian moves past Puerto Rico

The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center predicts winds up to 80 mph and between four and eight inches of rain for Puerto Rico.

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Aug. 28, 2019

CMA CGM pledges to forgo Northern Sea Route, citing environmental concerns

The carrier cited concerns about damaging Arctic and global ecosystems in its decision to avoid the shipping route.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 26, 2019

US to up all China tariffs 5 percentage points

This move came hours after China announced tariffs ranging from 5% to 10% on more than 5,000 products imported from the U.S. and valued at $75 billion Friday. 

By Emma Cosgrove , Matt Leonard • Updated Aug. 26, 2019

China to add tariffs on $75B of US imports

One batch of duties will begin Sept. 1 and the other Dec. 15, mirroring the U.S. schedule and putting American agricultural exporters in a tough situation. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 23, 2019

Swine disease adds uncertainty, volatility to meat supply chains, execs say

African swine fever has wiped out 5% of global animal protein supply, creating drastic price fluctuations in a market already rocked by the U.S.-China trade war. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 23, 2019

Report: Trade war uncertainty could drain $585B from global GDP

For procurement managers, there is increasing pressure to cut costs as firms brace for an economic slowdown. 

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 22, 2019

Kohl's 12-quarter inventory reduction streak ends

As new tariffs encourage inventory pull-forward and fulfillment commitments for e-commerce orders speed up, retailers have had to rethink where to store inventory and what healthy stock levels look like. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 21, 2019

Del Monte to lay off 844 workers, close plants in major supply chain shift

The company said its new "asset-light strategy will lead to more efficient and lower cost operations."

By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 21, 2019