Supply Chain

Walmart will pay independent delivery drivers new financial incentives to pick up online orders at its U.S. stores and deliver them to shoppers during the holiday season. The move is part of Walmart's strategy for boosting sales to upper-income households and competing with e-commerce rival Amazon.com, which is selling more everyday essentials to shoppers that…

This holiday season will bring some unusual stressors for brands, especially those that don’t wield the same negotiating power as the biggest retail names. And with the peak season fast approaching, brand decision-makers need to prep quickly to make sure their inventory plans and logistics operations are synchronized and primed to ensure a seamless customer…

In recent years, delays and disruptions in the global supply chain have wreaked havoc on product lead times and threatened total paralysis for industries. Bottlenecks due to global conflict, shipping container shortages, never-before-seen port congestion, lack of infrastructure, and limited transport capacity and skilled labor are just a few examples of the chaotic economic environment…

The recent U.S. dockworker strike has been resolved for now, but brands must remain vigilant against unexpected delays that can impact holiday deliveries. One thing that's certain is uncertainty. Factors such as natural disasters, labor disputes, transportation disruptions, customs delays, and global supply chain issues can all impact delivery timelines. The possibilities are endless. This…

Who cares about supply chain transparency? Today’s consumers. In addition to great deals, readily available products, and seamless shopping experiences, they also want to be informed about the products they purchase. They want to know where their items come from, how they were made, who made them, and under what working conditions. According to one…

A massive dockworker strike at seaports on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts is expected to wreak havoc on global supply chains and the economy, reports CNBC. Workers at ports stretching from Maine to Texas went on strike early Tuesday in a dispute over wages and automation. The action, which is likely to have severe…

As we endure peak hurricane season and catastrophic climate events grow more frequent, supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to climate-related threats. From earlier and stronger storms to unpredictable weather patterns, the impact of these environmental changes is unavoidable. And while we’ve already seen how weather disasters can wreak havoc on supply chains, chaos isn’t inevitable.…

As we approach the Christmas 2024 peak season, ocean freight rates are expected to fluctuate significantly. A perfect storm of high seasonal demand, ongoing supply chain disruptions and the potential for further disruptions is fueling this volatility. Retailers, still scarred by the supply chain turmoil of previous years, are starting to secure shipping capacity earlier…

As the holiday season approaches, retailers must brace themselves for another year of shifting trends and heightened consumer expectations. The 2024 shopping period promises to be even more intense, with a continued focus on online convenience, seamless in-store experiences, and faster fulfillment services. Preparing for the inevitable surge starts with understanding the trends shaping the…

The Biden administration announced new steps on Friday to curtail what it calls the “overuse and abuse” of a longstanding trade law that permits low-value shipments to enter the United States without paying import duties and processing fees. The steps include a new rule proposal which would bar overseas shipments of products that are subject…