Chewy boosts automated fulfillment network through new warehouses and retrofits

The e-commerce company plans to open its second automated fulfillment center in Q2 and a "limited catalog facility" in Q3.

By Matt Leonard • April 5, 2021

Boston Dynamics stretches into warehouse game with material-handling robot

The bot, named Stretch, automates the truck unloading process at an expected rate of 800 cases per hour.

By Matt Leonard • March 30, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the trends affecting logistics management

The demise of the de minimis exception, trade tensions and tariffs are among the new challenges logistics managers are facing.  

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Postal Service does more harm than good by prioritizing package delivery

The timely and efficient delivery of mail is essential for keeping the U.S. economy humming and supply chains efficient, the author writes.

By Paul Steidler • March 30, 2021

Logistics costs eat into General Mills' margins

The company's CFO said he expects those increased expenses to abate once supply and demand even out and inventory levels are balanced.

By S.L. Fuller • March 30, 2021

Utz resumes converting direct-store-delivery routes to independent operators

The company expects to convert 200-250 routes this year, after pausing the work last year to accommodate for the pandemic and an ERP implementation, the CFO said.

By S.L. Fuller • March 25, 2021

Schneider's plan to reduce carbon with focus on intermodal

Intermodal offers a road to sustainability, but it's a challenge for the speedy delivery consumers want and expect.

By Amanda Loudin • March 25, 2021

5 steps supply chains should have taken for effective vaccine distribution

Perhaps most disappointing has been the failure to use one of the most common tools for supply chain logistics: the barcode, according to Karen Conway, vice president of Healthcare Value at Global Healthcare Exchange.

By Karen Conway • March 23, 2021

E-commerce boom keeps rents high in undersupplied warehouse market: CBRE

Dedicated e-commerce facilities made up more than 27% of the industrial real estate market share — more than any other industry, the firm found.

By Matt Leonard • March 23, 2021

Dollar General to curb logistics costs by expanding private truck fleet

The company's existing fleet accounted for more than 20% of outbound logistics at the end of last year, the COO said.

By S.L. Fuller • March 23, 2021

Williams-Sonoma to expand manufacturing, distribution capacity by up to 30%

The company's expansion will add about 2 million square feet to its distribution network.

By Matt Leonard • March 22, 2021

Chobani reaches distribution deal with PepsiCo

Finding ways to tap into existing supply chains instead of having to create ones from scratch offers an expedited approach to scaling up.

By Lauren Manning , Christopher Doering • March 22, 2021

6 charts show how a pandemic upended retail supply chains

Consumers moved online and retailers pivoted to move inventory locked in brick-and-mortar locations.

By Matt Leonard • March 22, 2021

HelloFresh to adjust packaging, shipping as it scales sustainable operations

The company is working on a tool to help avoid shipping boxes with unused space by calculating the levels of secondary packaging each kit needs.

By Sam Silverstein • March 18, 2021

Stitch Fix threads in carrier diversity after longer cycle times during peak

The CFO called carrier diversification "very important," with outbound and reverse logistics embedded in the fabric of Stitch Fix's business model.

By Shefali Kapadia • March 17, 2021

UNFI expects automated DCs to double pick speed

The wholesaler has been working to optimize its distribution network since 2019, consolidating its footprint on the West Coast from 10 facilities to six.

By Matt Leonard • March 16, 2021

Buffer inventory, e-commerce growth buoys warehouse demand: Prologis

An additional 125 million square feet of warehousing space or more will be needed every year until 2025 in the U.S. and Europe to keep up with current levels of e-commerce-driven demand, a report found.

By Matt Leonard • March 15, 2021

Yeti tests Port Houston in bid to avoid congestion

Along with the port change, Yeti has also increased its use of cross-docking for its imports to help cut down on lead times and is exploring faster shipping lanes out of Southeast Asia.

By Matt Leonard • March 12, 2021

Big Lots to add 2 distribution centers to speed replenishment of palletized, big and bulky inventory

The retailer faces extended lead times with inventory stuck in-transit in a clogged ocean freight network.

By Matt Leonard • March 11, 2021

Dick's fulfills 70% of orders from stores, cuts delivery estimates 10%

The retailer's cost of goods sold — which includes shipping, freight and distribution, along with the cost of the merchandise — was up nearly 11%.

By Matt Leonard • March 10, 2021

USPS rose to the challenges of peak, unlike private carriers

"Criticisms of USPS' package business are off base," and Congress should build around the Postal Service's core strength, the author writes.

By John M. McHugh • March 9, 2021

Starbucks' real-time alerts allow for disruption response in days, not weeks

Supply chains are working to integrate risk management systems into their operations to provide visibility before disruptions occur. 

By A.B. Brown • March 8, 2021

FedEx to convert parcel fleet to EVs by 2040, eyeing a carbon neutral future

The announcement is part of a broader $2 billion investment focused on clean energy, carbon removal and electrification.

By A.B. Brown • March 5, 2021

Inventories drop with no signs of softening demand: ISM

Shortages in ocean freight, corrugated boxes, gloves and dozens of other products are pushing up the prices for many commodities.

By Matt Leonard • March 3, 2021

Target expands sortation center model to optimize store fulfillment

The retailer will also expand its distribution-center footprint in 2021, while using predictive inventory planning on more of its assortment.

By Matt Leonard • March 2, 2021

Lowe's fulfills 60% of online orders from stores, moving 6-times faster

The retailer is transitioning to a market-based model, with distribution centers and dozens of cross docks that allow more flexible fulfillment. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 2, 2021