Supply Chain

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses have been put through the ringer in recent years with unpredictability abound. Between supply chain disruptions, the rising costs of goods and services, and shipping delays due to global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War, many businesses have been struggling to survive. To further complicate business operations, consumer spending…

The consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry is under pressure. While usually defined by stability and consistency, CPG has undergone an upheaval in recent years, driven by pandemic-related adaptations as well as evolving labor and consumer trends. Today, the CPG market is marked by a high degree of uncertainty, with consumers unwilling (or unable) to spend…

That was the top takeaway from RELEX Solutions’ 2023 Supply Chain Collaboration Report, with insight from 250 suppliers across the U.S., Europe, and South America. Respondents said the desire for collaboration is there — 87 percent said they wished they could collaborate more with their retail and wholesale partners — but there are gaps in…

Manufacturers, businesses and all organizations within the retail supply chain have had to constantly develop groundbreaking solutions to maintain the production of high-quality goods due to rising costs and limited access to raw materials, especially since the onset of the pandemic. As a result, traditional linear supply chain strategies have given way to new ones…

Product lifecycle management (PLM) software has become a necessity for retailers and brands that have partly or fully outsourced their supply chains. The right PLM can help businesses shorten product development cycles, reduce time to market, and control costs, all of which are essential at a time when consumers are demanding more variety than ever…

Changing consumer habits in the virtualized post-pandemic world have transformed the e-commerce industry. With more consumers taking advantage of online ordering and in-store pickup options, e-commerce demand is expanding and the mix is changing rapidly, leaving some retailers struggling to adapt. Not to mention, as Amazon.com continues to dominate the fast-paced retail industry with its…

E-commerce and online deliveries are at an all-time high, with sales increasing 20-fold since 2000, according to the EPA. Consumers embraced delivery for safety during the pandemic, and they’re finding that the convenience is keeping delivery just as popular today. With this demand, consumers are also paying attention to the environmental impacts of delivery on…

Over the last few years, the norms of commerce, work and everyday life have been turned upside down, prompting customers and brands to re-establish how they connect. With 94 percent of customers saying that how they're treated influences their decision to buy from a company, it’s never been more critical to get the experience right.…

Imagine a shopper is getting ready to throw a party to celebrate their child’s college graduation. They may shop around several retailers' stores and websites before ordering new backyard furniture for the event. If the retailer that the shopper chose delivers the furniture after the party, the shopper will likely avoid that retailer in the…

Amazon.com plans to tap thousands of U.S. small businesses, from bodegas to florists, to deliver its packages by the end of the year, Axios is first to report. On Monday, the e-commerce giant will start actively recruiting existing small businesses in 23 states including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North…