Operations Management


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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Starbucks ditches AI inventory system after just 9 months

    The coffee giant is ending its computer vision inventory counting system — which employees called “unreliable” — in favor of traditional stock-keeping methods, Reuters reported. 

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 4, 2026
  • The outside of an AutoZone auto parts store,
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    AutoZone’s distribution strategy drives sales gains

    The auto parts retailer has made headway on faster store fulfillment as it continues to expand its roster of mega hubs.

    By June 4, 2026
  • Trendline

    AI in Supply Chain Management

    Warehouse automation, logistics management and procurement processes are just a few of the ways companies are using AI to streamline their supply chains.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • Rodney Scott, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, appears before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on April 16, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
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    Heather Diehl via Getty Images
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    Trump admin appeals aspects of tariff refund order

    The Department of Justice said the Court of International Trade lacks the authority to mandate refunds for all finally liquidated entries.

    By Updated June 3, 2026
  • Jamieson Greer testifies during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing on Feb. 6 in Washington, DC.
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Trump tariffs

    US eyes new tariffs for China, EU, Mexico and more after labor probes

    The potential levies of either 10% or 12.5% would apply to 60 trading partners, although the proposal listed several product exemptions.

    By June 3, 2026
  • U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sitting
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Trump tariffs

    USTR floats 25% tariff on Brazil imports

    The agency proposed the levy as a result of a Section 301 investigation launched last year, with a public hearing set for July 6.

    By June 2, 2026
  • Advance Auto Parts distribution center in Kutztown, Pennsylvania
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    Permission granted by Advance Auto Parts
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    Advance Auto Parts nears finish line on distribution center consolidation strategy

    The auto parts retailer also plans to open up to 15 market hubs this year as it aims to improve same-day hard parts coverage across its store network.

    By June 2, 2026
  • Hershey chocolate bars on a store shelf
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Hershey names Utz Brands executive supply chain chief

    Mitchell Arends is scheduled to succeed retiring Chief Supply Chain Officer Jason Reiman on June 22.

    By June 2, 2026
  • President Donald Trump
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Trump tariffs

    Trump further tweaks steel, aluminum, copper tariffs

    A greater range of industrial and agricultural equipment made with the metals will temporarily face a reduced 15% levy starting June 8, per the White House.

    By June 2, 2026
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Target launches $367M food distribution center in Colorado

    The retailer’s newest and largest food facility to date replenishes the nearly 130 stores it serves up to two days faster than before.

    By Peyton Bigora • June 2, 2026
  • Aluminum sheet coil at Novelis' Oswego, New York, production facility.
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    Courtesy of Novelis
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    Novelis aluminum plant to resume operations following fire damage

    The company has started commissioning its New York plant and expects to ramp up hot mill production in the coming weeks.

    By Nathan Owens • May 27, 2026
  • The target bulls-eye logo featured in a storefront against a sunny sky
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Target touts improved inventory turns in Q1

    The retailer aims to leverage artificial intelligence tools alongside its two new facilities to reduce volatility and in-stock issues.

    By May 26, 2026
  • U.S. President Donald Trump holds an executive order
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    CBP raises accepted tariff refunds to $85B

    As of May 22, about $20.6 billion in certified refunds with interest have been completed through Customs and Border Protection’s dedicated portal.

    By May 26, 2026
  • Amazon warehouse robot Proteus carries a tote inside a company facility.
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    How do AI, software fit into warehouse robotics?

    Investing in intelligent software systems is crucial for warehouse operators that employ robotics.

    By S.L. Fuller • May 26, 2026
  • Strait of Hormuz
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    Asghar Besharati via Getty Images
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    Supply chain resiliency increasingly trumps cost in perma-crisis era

    As multiple “black swan” events have disrupted the flow of goods, more companies are moving away from historical just-in-time inventory management.

    By Stephen Joyce • May 26, 2026
  • a software developer writes code while using an external monitor in an office setting
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    Weedezign via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Automation doesn’t make supply chains fragile — poor integration does

    Effectively employing technology across functions is the key to sustaining supply chain strength, according to Temitope Daniel Akanbi, senior manager at Procter & Gamble.

    By Temitope Daniel Akanbi • May 26, 2026
  • An Albertsons worker holds a tablet showing strawberries being inspected by the grocers' new AI inspection tool
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    Courtesy of Albertsons
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    Albertsons launches AI-powered produce inspection tool

    The technology supports the grocer's quality inspectors in its distribution centers, Chief Supply Chain Officer Evan Rainwater said.

    By Jeff Wells • May 22, 2026
  • Brands owned by J&J Snack Foods, including Icee and SuperPretzel.
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    Retrieved from J&J Snack Foods.
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    J&J Snack Foods completes plant consolidation, turns to distribution

    The frozen snack food manufacturer expects the network changes to save $15 million annually.

    By May 22, 2026
  • Shoppers walking by an Under Armour store.
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    Cara Salpini/Supply Chain Dive
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    Under Armour reaches 25% SKU reduction goal

    The retailer has made efforts to trim its product mix over the last two years as part of a more disciplined inventory management strategy.

    By May 20, 2026
  • A tea brews on top of a purple countertop.
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    Retrieved from DAVIDsTEA on May 08, 2026
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    DavidsTea sets up US fulfillment after de minimis’ end raises shipping hurdles

    The tea company faced unpredictable delivery times and lower sales in the U.S. without the trade rule exemption, CEO Sarah Segal said.

    By May 19, 2026
  • A customer shops inside a Target store.
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    Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
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    Target taps former Walmart exec as supply chain, logistics chief

    Jeff England, who worked to improve inventory availability at QXO, will join the retailer on May 31 as it seeks to strengthen in-stock reliability.

    By May 19, 2026
  • A person wearing a yellow helmet pulls a pallet jack loaded with boxes in a warehouse, while checking a mobile phone. The setting is industrious.
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    Permission granted by Katana
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    Sponsored by Katana

    Product brands and the Hormuz crisis: an inventory problem

    Brands have an inventory problem, and Hormuz made it expensive.

    May 18, 2026
  • An O'Reilly Auto Parts storefront
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    Getty Images
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    O’Reilly broadens supplier base with private label push

    The auto parts retailer said prioritizing its store-branded portfolio improves sourcing and product control as supply constraints emerge.

    By May 15, 2026
  • Inside a retailer's distribution center.
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    Permission granted by Dollar Tree
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    Dollar Tree is boosting logistics resiliency

    A new Arizona distribution center is part of the retailer's strategy to cut transit times, Chief Supply Chain Officer Roxanne Weng said.

    By May 14, 2026
  • Industrial equipment and boxes are seen from an aerial view inside a facility that says Smurfit Westrock operation center on the wall.
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    Permission granted by Smurfit Westrock
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    Automation takes center stage at Smurfit Westrock ‘superplant’ in Wisconsin

    The automation and robotics allow the facility to use about 60% of the labor of a traditional box plant, while the scale enables service to the greater Chicago region.

    By Katie Pyzyk • May 13, 2026
  • A U.S. Customs and Border Protection badge is displayed on a sleeve.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    CBP approves $35B in tariff refunds for defunct levies

    A recently launched agency portal has validated and begun paying returns for over 8 million entries subject to duties struck down by the Supreme Court this year.

    By May 13, 2026