Designer Brands to trim vendor list to prep for post-pandemic landscape

Simplification is a watchword of supply chains post-lockdown, according to business executives across sectors.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 19, 2020

1 in 3 procurement leaders: We're past the peak of coronavirus disruption

A Procurious survey found procurement teams navigated the early months of the pandemic fairly well, though the learning curve has been steep.

By Morgan Forde • June 18, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

A call to action: Use HUB suppliers for critical operations

Procurement professionals can use their collective power to actively join the social justice revolution.

By Rich Weissman • June 18, 2020

4 food and beverage ingredients facing shortages amid the pandemic

From mushrooms and garlic to carbon dioxide and yeast, the COVID-19 outbreak has sparked global supply concerns.

By Lillianna Byington • June 18, 2020

CH Robinson flexes muscle to wrangle PPE supply chains

The struggle to procure PPE has led states and hospital systems to lean on the procurement and logistics skills of private players.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 18, 2020

Unilever to request suppliers' emissions data on invoices

The supplier accountability effort seeks to advance Unilever' sustainability goals, such as reaching net-zero emissions from products by 2039 and ridding its supply chain of deforestation by 2023.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 17, 2020

Developing the coronavirus vaccine supply chain

Pharmas, nonprofit organizations and suppliers prepare to handle a high volume of vaccines, but component shortages and scaling up manufacturing present challenges.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 16, 2020

UNFI: Grocery supplier stockouts could last into the fall

Consistently high demand, combined with the spike of panic-buying in March, will keep some suppliers in catch-up mode for a few more months, CEO Steve Spinner said. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 12, 2020

It's time for a national hospital supply chain czar

If the current lack of supply chain coordination isn't resolved before the expected second surge in COVID-19 cases, the result will be a far worse crisis, writes Jody Hatcher, a healthcare supply chain expert.

By Jody Hatcher • June 11, 2020

Supply chain median salary 24% higher than national median, gender gap narrows

Supply chain professionals with a bachelor's degree have a median salary of $78,750 and 88% of respondents said they have a positive career outlook.

By Matt Leonard • June 10, 2020

Pandemic increased automation appetite, but adoption hurdles await

For its next act, automation technology needs to prove it can help businesses quickly and sustainably adapt to sudden market changes.

By Roberto Torres • June 10, 2020

Walmart commits to sustainably sourced canned tuna

The retailer will ensure its Great Value private label tuna meets the goal by July, with all canned tuna products to follow by 2025. 

By Jessica Dumont • June 8, 2020

Governors call for better centralized procurement of COVID-19 testing supplies

"When we expect 180,000 diverse swabs and get 180,000 foam swabs, we're grateful for the foam swabs. But that means we can't do all those other types of tests," Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.​

By Rebecca Pifer • June 4, 2020

An unexpected risk of COVID-19: Canceled supplier audits

While it’s hard to fault a company for canceling audits during a pandemic, it’s important to understand what’s at stake, and have a plan in place to mitigate new risks, writes Sylvain Guyoton, SVP of research at EcoVadis.

By Sylvain Guyoton • June 4, 2020

Retailer-supplier collaboration has improved, but there's more work to be done

Eighty-five percent of retailers surveyed by Coresight Research say collaboration has gotten better but all respondents cite data sharing, communication issues and a lack of trust as roadblocks.

By Jeff Wells • June 4, 2020

Alibaba integrates freight procurement into B2B e-commerce site

Shippers using Alibaba's platform will be able to compare rates on ocean and air shipments, and track them in real time. 

By Matt Leonard • June 2, 2020

US manufacturing recovers slightly in May, demand challenges remain: ISM

The Institute for Supply Management projects an uphill battle to recovery in 2021 as new order numbers reached their second lowest level since 2008.

By Morgan Forde • June 1, 2020

Procurement leaders split between cost savings and tech investment for strategic recovery

Many firms are in survival mode as revenue drops as much as 80%, but spending on digital efforts upfront can pay off in the long run.

By Morgan Forde • May 28, 2020

Now is the time to negotiate indirect spend

Economic uncertainty will drive many businesses to slash indirect spend, but that's a missed opportunity to take greater control of the category during a buyer's market. 

By Rich Weissman • May 28, 2020

How tariffs ravaged the COVID-19 medical supply chain

Months into the pandemic, the U.S. faces an ongoing shortage of PPE and some of it is still subject to tariffs.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • May 27, 2020

AutoZone rethinks supplier diversity after coronavirus disrupts parts supply chain

The company has already begun searching for new sourcing countries, but expanding the geographic diversity of its supply chain will be a long game, according to CEO William Rhodes. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 27, 2020

Canceled orders, delayed payments: How supplier collaboration could reverse apparel's nose dive

Stakeholders envision a future where demand, not merchandisers, drive fashion supply chains, and buyers bring vendors into the planning process.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 21, 2020

Supplier relationships go virtual, data-driven as pandemic pauses travel

The pandemic has placed greater focus on remote communication, audits and quality assurances with suppliers.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 21, 2020

2 Ford facilities reopen for second time in a week

The auto industry has been open about its hurdles during the pandemic, as positive coronavirus tests can halt production at multiple stages in the supply chain.

By Matt Leonard • May 21, 2020

Kohl's expects to reduce receipts 60% in Q2, even as stores open

Addressing inventory was the first action executives took when it became clear stores would need to close, CEO Michelle Gass ​said.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 21, 2020