Stat of the Week
Each week, Supply Chain Dive takes a look at a report, survey or indicator for a glimpse of present and future trends. Look out for these articles in your inbox by subscribing to Supply Chain Dive: Operations.
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"Yantian port from above" by Gigel.atat is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Trade data seriesWhat does the US import from China?
Over $400 billion worth of goods were imported from China in 2024, with electronics, toys, furniture and machinery topping the list.
By Edwin Lopez • April 25, 2025 -
Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
Trade data seriesWho are the United States’ top trading partners?
Explore how over 200 countries’ imports, exports and trade balances with the U.S. last year stack up in this sortable chart.
By Edwin Lopez • April 22, 2025 -
Permission granted by Symbotic
Walmart to deploy Symbotic's AI tech in all regional distribution centers
The retailer plans to expand its work with Symbotic in a bid to boost speed and accuracy throughout its supply chain.
By Alejandra Carranza • May 24, 2022 -
Permission granted by Zebra Technologies
Industrial robot orders had a record year in 2021: A3
Businesses sought automation in 2021 to lessen the impact of labor shortfalls.
By Max Garland • March 1, 2022 -
Permission granted by Maersk
Midsize businesses are 'thinking big' for supply chain workarounds: survey
Many of these firms are executing plays similar to larger businesses: bolstering inventory, diversifying suppliers and finding substitute materials and processes.
By Max Garland • Jan. 11, 2022 -
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images via Getty Images
Manufacturing inventories grow, but omicron poses labor threat: ISM
A fabricated metal products maker said they hoped industry trends were heading toward "something that resembles normal."
By Max Garland • Jan. 4, 2022 -
Daphne Howland/Supply Chain Dive
Nordstrom leverages pack and hold inventory to mitigate supply chain risk
The retailer is revisiting an inventory strategy that helped it during an expansion period when it needed enough items for new store openings.
By Max Garland • Dec. 7, 2021 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Returns volume and costs set to climb in pricey supply chain environment, survey says
Those expenses pile onto "rising freight costs, capacity constraints and delays," the executive director of the Reverse Logistics Association said.
By Max Garland • Nov. 30, 2021 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Electronics manufacturers expect to hike prices again in 2022 as material, labor costs rise
Two-thirds of respondents to IPC's survey had raised prices by an average of 14.5% in 2021. Sustained pressures on profit margins have some manufacturers considering additional increases.
By Max Garland • Nov. 16, 2021 -
Tempur Sealy ramps up US manufacturing capacity to reduce supply chain exposure
Supply chain constraints and increased backlogs led the company to miss out on an estimated $200 million in sales in Q3, according to Chairman and CEO Scott Thompson.
By Max Garland • Nov. 9, 2021 -
Courtesy of Philip Morris International
Semiconductor shortage has Philip Morris shifting sales strategy for its heated-tobacco devices
The Marlboro maker is ensuring existing users can replace their devices as the company encounters supply issues due to the ongoing chip shortage.
By Max Garland • Oct. 26, 2021 -
Courtesy of PepsiCo
PepsiCo to boost wearable technology use after Frito-Lay workers see injury reductions
Thousands of Frito-Lay employees cut back on improper lifting and posture when using a device that alerted them to unsafe movements, reducing strain and sprain injuries by 19%, a Kinetic study said.
By Max Garland • Oct. 19, 2021 -
Permission granted by DHL
Top retailers will establish robot resource departments as demand grows: Gartner
Further investment in robots is one way companies are boosting fulfillment center productivity, as orders get processed closer to the point of delivery in a new era for retailers.
By Max Garland • Oct. 12, 2021 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Semiconductor shortage, lean inventories stifle memory chip demand
Micron, a memory chip maker, says its inventory is at its lowest level in years and its customers are also short on components.
By Max Garland • Oct. 5, 2021 -
Permission granted by DHL eCommerce Solutions
DHL invests $300M to expand, automate US e-commerce network
The investment includes new parcel sorters, reducing the need for labor as warehouse workers are hard to come by.
By Max Garland • Sept. 28, 2021 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Manufacturers plan to boost wages at a record 3.5% rate
The tight labor market and high raw material costs are top challenges, the National Association of Manufacturers says.
By Jim Tyson • Sept. 21, 2021 -
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images via Getty Images
Inventory levels jump as manufacturers hold onto work-in-progress products
Manufacturers of transportation equipment, computers and electronics need chips, which are in short supply, and some products are being held until critical components arrive.
By Max Garland • Sept. 14, 2021 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Supply chain managers ramp up hiring, raise wages ahead of peak
A survey found nearly half of supply chain managers plan to increase pay as companies continue to report lost sales and productivity due to labor shortages.
By Max Garland • Sept. 7, 2021 -
Alex Wong/Getty Images via Getty Images
Home Depot improves inventory depth with focus on high-velocity SKUs
Some companies are chartering ships to secure inventory. Others are shifting SKU priorities. Home Depot is doing both.
By Max Garland • Aug. 24, 2021 -
Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
Warehouse employment hits new record after monthslong dip
There were 1.44 million workers in the warehouse and storage industry in July, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This surpassed the previous record high set in November.
By Max Garland • Aug. 17, 2021 -
Bill Pugliano via Getty Images
Orders outpace invoices as bullwhip wallops manufacturing
Tradeshift's data shows that order volume from manufacturers has grown to more than double Q1 2020 as of June, increasing nearly 138%. But invoices have not kept pace, falling almost 12%.
By Matt Leonard • Aug. 10, 2021 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Manufacturers struggle to grow inventories as supplier deliveries remain sluggish: ISM
The ISM Manufacturing Inventories Index for July indicated falling inventory levels. It had reached growth territory in May and June.
By Matt Leonard • Aug. 3, 2021 -
Permission granted by Symbotic
Walmart plans to automate 25 distribution centers with Symbotic
The retailer aims to improve the storage density, pallet density, throughput as measured in cases per hour, system availability and order accuracy of its replenishment system.
By Matt Leonard • July 20, 2021 -
Buda Mendes via Getty Images
Stockouts worsen for the chemical industry as shipping delays exacerbate inventory woes
Shortages may last yet another year due to the lasting effects of a February storm in Texas, increased demand and supply chain congestion.
By Matt Leonard • July 13, 2021 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
SKU rationalization helps Bed Bath & Beyond achieve 95% in-stock level
The company expects to improve its inventory management even further as it overhauls its technology stack with a new ERP and forecasting system.
By Matt Leonard • July 6, 2021
