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

Manufacturers cite a 'workforce crisis' as the top threat to business

One in four manufacturers have turned down new business due to an inability to attract "quality" labor, a survey by the National Association of Manufacturers found.

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 9, 2018

NRF expects holiday sales spike of up to 4.8%

The trade association credits a strong economy and the healthy state of retail for the positive forecast.  

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated Nov. 20, 2018

Despite high interest in robots, adoption remains low

A lack of understanding over emerging use cases for commercial service robots continues to hamper integration, according to a recent report.

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 2, 2018

Warehouses are pinching workers from other hiring pools, but it's still not enough

As unemployment in the U.S. falls, employers must increasingly consider the size of the available workforce along with logistical convenience and wages when picking a location.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 25, 2018

Supply chain, logistics professionals are 'safe' from automation

A World Economic Forum survey finds physical and manual work activities are the most likely tasks and jobs to be automated. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 18, 2018

7 in 10 execs see supply chain as 'support function'

To drive growth, executives must change their mindset and view their supply chains as an opportunity to differentiate.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 11, 2018

Department stores' fortunes rise as they shun inventory

The sector is reducing inventory and boosting margins, with the notable exception of J.C. Penney, according to a recent Moody's report.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 4, 2018

Smart warehouses boom in China as US players are stuck on cost

At up to 100 times the cost of traditional warehouse space, will smart warehouses ever become the norm?

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 28, 2018

$12 is 'bare minimum' hourly wage for competitive warehouse employers

Wage and job security top the priorities list over advancement opportunities and benefits for warehouse workers. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 21, 2018

Automated inventory management is becoming a 'key battleground'

Whether it's RFID or robots, taking humans out of the inventory process will soon be standard practice, according to a new report which discusses the benefits in dollars and cents. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 14, 2018

Lack of capital biggest barrier to automation adoption

While automation carries many soft benefits for companies, it could take months or years before ROI is realized.

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 7, 2018

Are companies turning inventory faster?

A majority of the top supply chains defined by Gartner both this year and last year turned products more quickly in 2018, but that did not always define improvement.

By Edwin Lopez • July 31, 2018

Process improvement — not cost savings — drive AI adoption

The use of robotics and artificial intelligence is an "inevitable evolution," and businesses who ignore it will quickly fall behind the curve. 

By Shefali Kapadia • July 24, 2018

ERPs a top challenge to growth of electronic payments

Electronic payments help lower costs and keep suppliers happy, but the technology's lack of interoperability with existing software is hindering adoption.

By Edwin Lopez • July 17, 2018

Despite post-election bump, reshoring declined in 2017

A.T. Kearney's Reshoring Index saw a 27 basis point decline in 2017 as manufacturers turned to offshore facilities for imports.

By Edwin Lopez • July 10, 2018

New tech, low costs create 'utopia' for robotics growth within facilities

Investors are pouring millions into robotics startups that are developing technology to improve supply chain and manufacturing efficiencies. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 26, 2018

Manufacturers think Walmart and Kroger manage supply chains best

The retailers getting the highest praise from manufacturers have solid inventory management techniques, nimble supply chains and clear business strategies.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 19, 2018

People still 'reign supreme' in the warehouse

Warehouses may still be in 1991 when it comes to technology adoption, and despite a new focus on drones and driverless vehicles, few managers plan to change that.

By Edwin Lopez • June 12, 2018

One-third of warehouses don't have a warehouse management system

The lack of a foundational WMS is particularly troubling as facilities seek to improve efficiencies by using emerging technologies.

By Shefali Kapadia • June 5, 2018

Only 30% of brand managers are measuring sustainability's ROI

More than half of respondents in Ethical Corporation's survey said sustainability goals are creating revenue growth and cost savings. 

By Shefali Kapadia • May 22, 2018

Warehouse robotics are catching on, but to a limited scale

Tough ROI calculations, cost and implementation barriers mean the top adapters of the new tech are logistics providers, while others lag behind.

By Edwin Lopez • May 15, 2018

Supply chain operations positions command higher salaries

According to an exclusive report which APICS provided to Supply Chain Dive, most supply chain professionals saw a 3% salary increase in 2017.

By Kate Patrick Macri • May 4, 2018

Retailers shift priorities to conquer the 'new battleground' of urban logistics

A majority of retailers surveyed by Auburn University said urban fulfillment is an area of growth, but last mile costs remain a challenge. 

By Shefali Kapadia • April 24, 2018

Smart factories will require a 'coevolution' of workers and operations

Intel surveyed 145 workers in the manufacturing industry to understand pain points and the role IoT will play in improving processes.

By Edwin Lopez • April 24, 2018