US businesses paid 'unprecedented' $4.4B in tariffs in September

The figure represents a 54% year over year increase, despite import value rising by just 10%. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 7, 2018

Procurement and IT band together as digital initiatives grow

The two departments are increasingly sharing the task of sourcing new technology and adding touch points, according to a new survey.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 6, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Tariffs push PriceSmart to shift distribution model

The big box retailer is opening a distribution center in Costa Rica, as Miami has become less cost efficient for importing goods from China.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 5, 2018

Tariffs threaten The Container Store's turnaround

The retailer says it is working to mitigate the impact of new tariffs on Chinese goods, which made up 37% of its products last year.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 2, 2018

US elections: Just another flawed supply chain?

If your supply chain ran an election, would everyone get to vote?

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 2, 2018

A new pacific trade deal will enter force Dec. 30

The CPTPP includes 11 of the 13 countries that originally formed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, before the U.S. pulled out, and further promises to reshape supply chains in 2019.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 1, 2018

In latest bid to counter China, US blocks sales

The U.S. Commerce Department on Monday blocked U.S. companies from selling to Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit in an effort to counter intellectual property theft.

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 31, 2018

First toilets, now engines: Aircraft supply chain can't keep pace with demand

The engines are just the latest holdup for an entire global industry struggling to keep up with unceasing demand.  

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Oct. 30, 2018

HP, Ikea join group organizing marine plastics supply chain

NextWave Plastics members commit to expanding sourcing of verified ocean-bound plastics from the countries hardest hit by marine plastic waste.

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 29, 2018

Airbus hits snags with aircraft production, deliveries

In complex aviation supply chains, each link blames its suppliers for delays and OEMs can't seem to catch up. 

By Barry Hochfelder • Oct. 25, 2018

Amid trade war, companies ponder pivoting away from China

While large companies have the ability — and agility — to change their sourcing processes, smaller and less sophisticated companies face much greater disruption in recalibrating their supply chains.

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 25, 2018

Sears owes these 7 suppliers — and many more — millions in payments

Vendors are reacting to Sears' bankruptcy filing through court motions, lawsuits and withholding of inventory, all of which could determine the fate of the floundering retailer.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 24, 2018

Suppliers challenge Sears on multiple fronts in Ch. 11

Vendors to the bankrupt retailer have sued, questioning its store liquidation plans and stopping shipments as Sears tries to reorganize. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 23, 2018

Alleged supplier bankruptcies renew suspicion that Tesla isn't paying up

A short-selling investor made public this past Friday her concerns that Tesla's supply chain is in serious trouble. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 23, 2018

Hospitals could save $25B on supply chain costs

Healthcare facilities are a business like any other — but in the operating room, faulty supply chains can carry high consequences.

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 22, 2018

Pier 1 leans on fulfillment efficiency to revive slipping sales

Initiatives such as a new distribution scheme and warehouse consolidation are part of a broader strategy to address "execution issues" in the company's supply chain, executives said in an earnings call.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 19, 2018

Burberry tightens lead times with monthly product releases

The luxury apparel brand's move toward fast fashion and a lean model may be innovative in the fashion world, but it's old hat in traditional manufacturing. 

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 18, 2018

Hurricane Florence, one month later

Lingering effects on supply chains have mostly faded, but billions of dollars in damage remain. 

By Jen A. Miller • Oct. 18, 2018

From crop to pub, climate change will send beer supply chain costs soaring

Beer makers work to absorb pricing changes in their procurement pipelines, but a study suggests the supply chain may not be able to sustain price stability for much longer. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 17, 2018

Apparel companies eye nearshoring to cut lead times

The tradeoff between higher cost of manufacturing versus lower freight rates, combined with the need for speed, will drive apparel companies moving forward. 

By Andy Burt • Oct. 16, 2018

Sears filed for Chapter 11 with plans to close 142 stores — now what?

As part of the retailer's plan to reorganize, CEO Eddie Lampert is stepping down as chief executive — at the same time his hedge fund is mulling a bid for Sears in Chapter 11.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 15, 2018

Trade wars create 'another breeding ground' for poor supply chain ethics

A report from AsiaInspection finds ethical progress has stagnated since the second quarter of the year. 

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 15, 2018

As companies change sourcing standards, Fairtrade steps in to help

Many procurement professionals are bringing certifications in-house, pushing the Fairtrade Foundation to adapt accordingly.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 15, 2018

Tariffs are here to stay, apparel experts say

On a fourth round of tariffs, "we don’t believe it's a question of if. We believe it's a question of when," said Steve Lamar, executive vice president for the American Apparel and Footwear Association.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 12, 2018

Ahead of Canada's legalization date, cannabis suppliers struggle to meet demand

Supply chain issues — from harvest to packaging — may leave more than 40% of Canada's cannabis demand unfulfilled next week.

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 11, 2018