Meat processors expedite robotics plans as pandemic ups pressure

The future of meat manufacturing could include 3D scanners and automated cutting. Tyson, Smithfield, Cargill and JBS are looking to increase automation.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 2, 2020

How thinking outside the box could be the best way to deliver for your customers this holiday season

Projecting shipping volumes is different this year, as volume is already hitting all-time highs in virtually every market due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Nov. 2, 2020

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Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

FedEx readies for 'peak on top of peak' with 4 tech investments

The logistics company provided a look behind the curtain on Thursday during its Peak Innovation Showcase, highlighting sensors, data and automation that will help manage holiday parcel volumes.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 30, 2020

Amazon shipping costs outpace sales growth as pandemic operating expenses soar

"It's going to be tight for everyone ... and it's advantageous to the customer, and probably to the companies, for people to order early this year," said Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 30, 2020

Demand volatility is the supply chain disruptor of 2020

The pandemic is still the dominant force on global economies, but leaders say supply is no longer the top problem.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 30, 2020

Walmart launches test stores to further blend tech and in-store ops

The prototype locations will allow the retailer to quickly experiment with ways to make fulfillment more efficient and move in-store inventory online.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 29, 2020

How COVID-19 changed warehouse management and design

Warehouse managers are adjusting workflows to keep employees safe and distanced while also handling the new demand for e-commerce.

By Jen A. Miller • Oct. 27, 2020

Supply chain visibility is 'awfully low,' but improving it can aid operations goals

A recent survey found that 40% of supply chain leaders plan to increase their investment in real-time visibility, which one expert said could help with omnichannel and forecasting.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 27, 2020

Mattel, Hasbro play catch-up after demand for board games, toys surges

Executives from the toy giants say retailers are keeping inventories tight for Q4, putting the onus to meet demand on suppliers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 27, 2020

Coca-Cola works with bottlers to convert operations as it cuts 200 product lines

A dedicated team has largely finished SKU-cut decisions, and changes at bottling plants will roll out over the next year.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 26, 2020

Demand for temp workers to lose momentum for remainder of 2020, report finds

The pandemic created an initial demand for temp workers, but uncertainty is causing a slowdown in hiring, according to the Palmer Forecast. 

By Sheryl Estrada • Oct. 22, 2020

Retailers face operational, logistical hurdles in pandemic-driven switch to ship from store

Retailers scrambled to change their fulfillment operations as open stores figured out ways to get their inventory to online shoppers.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 20, 2020

How Ferrero uses data to monitor stock, reduce food waste

The confectionery giant is working with software company Alloy to improve the efficiency of its operations by cutting down on overstock and out of stock items.

By Lillianna Byington • Oct. 20, 2020

FedEx, Happy Returns partner on 'return bars,' streamline reverse logistics

Happy Returns has quadrupled its number of drop off locations with the addition of more than 2,000 FedEx Office locations.

By A.B. Brown • Oct. 20, 2020

Nordstrom expands online order pickup to Rack stores

The retailer will offer fulfillment services at its off-price stores and hire 22,000 holiday staffers ahead of a season expected to be more online than ever.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 19, 2020

Biden and Trump envision similar supply chains — but different paths to get there

Both presidential candidates promote investment in domestic manufacturing and supply chains, but they diverge on how to handle global trade relations.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 16, 2020

China's largest warehouse operator forms joint venture to build logistics infrastructure in Vietnam

Vietnam has become one of the countries that is often included in discussions as companies talk about sourcing from new suppliers outside of China.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 16, 2020

NFI responds to logistics demand with plans to add 5,000 new hires

Carriers and 3PLs scramble to have consumer goods stocked as warehousing sets record employment levels.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 15, 2020

Asos lays out 'flexible fulfillment' plan to bolster in-stock status

Varied levels of product flow and warehouse automation have created a different experience for Asos customers in the U.K. and the U.S. The new plan could change that. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 15, 2020

Fastenal raced to increase mask inventory. Now it has an 'oversupply.'

In just six months, the company has gone from restricting certain SKUs to healthcare customers only to concerns about excess inventory. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 14, 2020

Caps and pumps: Johnson & Johnson's packaging changes put it on the path to a circular supply chain

J&J's Healthy Lives Mission includes conversion to 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable plastic, and recycled paper and pulp-based materials by 2025.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Oct. 13, 2020

Supply chain pros embrace AI for forecasting, inventory despite limitations during pandemic

Rigid systems that don’t respond to rapid market shifts and a lack of reliable data frustrated respondents in a survey from Secondmind.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 13, 2020

Nestlé will support farmers to achieve net-zero carbon by 2050, supply chain chief says

The world's largest food company said it would commit up to $10 million through its multi-year partnership to help scale farm access to sustainable resources and technology.

By Lillianna Byington • Oct. 12, 2020

Microfulfillment centers are changing grocery e-commerce. But are they right for everyone?

Grocers face unique e-commerce challenges that make deciding whether to automate fulfillment operations a complex choice, experts say.

By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 12, 2020

Sam's Club adds 2,000 permanent supply chain workers, launches ship-from-store for peak

The company expects approximately one-fifth of online orders to ship from Sam's Club locations.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 8, 2020