Supply Chain

Global retailers face constant whiplash as countries adjust their value-added tax (VAT) regulations, complicating cross-border operations. Recent updates — including zero-dollar VAT thresholds in Indonesia and the Philippines and revisions to the European Union’s Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) — demand urgent attention. These unpredictable changes create more than administrative burdens. When customers encounter unexpected VAT…

In an era of compound volatility, uncertainty is the only constant. For retailers, the latest disruption is a wave of tariff actions complicating costs and supply chains, highlighted by evolving discussions on goods from Mexico, Canada, and the European Union. How Best to Respond? Resilient retailers are taking a two-pronged approach: using data-driven decisions to…

In these uncertain economic times, supply chain management is increasingly complex. Consumers exert more control than ever before. With a single click, they can trigger a series of events that impact the entire logistics network, forcing third-party logistics (3PL) providers to adapt in real time. With concerns over tariffs, geopolitical tensions, labor shortages, rising prices…

The economic climate retailers face today is next level. Rising tariffs, volatile supply chains, and shifting consumer expectations are making it hard to navigate. The rapid increase in costs across retail categories — e.g., cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and sporting goods — is putting pressure on already slim margins, forcing businesses to reevaluate inventory planning and…

President Donald Trump on Monday met with chief executives from three of the nation’s top retailers, who came to the White House to discuss how his sweeping tariff plans could impact their import-heavy business models, reports CNBC. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, Target CEO Brian Cornell, and The Home Depot CEO Ted Decker were in attendance…

In today's volatile and uncertain business environment, retail supply chain executives face numerous challenges in optimizing inventory and making intelligent supply chain decisions. The ever-changing supply chain management landscape requires agility, strategic planning, and the integration of advanced technologies to stay competitive and meet evolving consumer expectations. Define Your Supply Chain Aspirations Identifying your supply…

2025 has so far proven to be a year of regulatory chaos for global supply chains. From the constant whiplash around tariffs and trade exclusions to the EU’s introduction of omnibus legislation for the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), it has been challenging for brands and retailers to keep abreast of all of the…

Amid tightening global regulations targeting forced labor and environmental abuses, companies are under growing pressure to take full responsibility for every link in their global sourcing networks. From the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) to America’s Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), these laws are reshaping how businesses monitor and verify the…

The impact of lead time variability on supply chain management is a critical factor impacting operational efficiency, cost management and service delivery. Lead time is used in inventory management, production scheduling, order fulfillment and supplier management. It also involves decisions that determine optimal inventory levels, when to place orders and how much to order, stocking policy,…

Retailers are feeling whiplash after President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he would not be moving forward — at least in the short term — with many of the additional tariffs he had promised would take effect this week. The president took to the social media platform Truth Social to announce a 90-day pause on tariffs…