Shipping delays prevent iRobot from fulfilling $35M in Q4 orders

The Roomba maker must help sell delayed products in early 2022, but inventory reduction efforts are likely to be met by extended shipping timeframes.

By Max Garland • Feb. 22, 2022

'We can go further': HanesBrands trims SKUs by 30% in past 2 years

The company also consolidated suppliers to cut costs, and it plans to add distribution capacity to grow its DTC business.

By Colin Campbell • Feb. 17, 2022

Wayfair taps Nike, Target vet as new supply chain chief

Sean Halligan joins the online home goods specialist in a tough operating environment, and after years of shipping and fulfillment costs eating up profits.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 15, 2022

Retail supply chains were made to be broken. Will brands adapt — or revert?

The past two years have laid bare vulnerabilities that have long existed in the system, including a lack of capacity and geographic concentration in manufacturing.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 11, 2022

Sherwin-Williams plans North Carolina expansion, augments in-house resin production

The growing facility will add capacity for paint and coatings manufacturing and distribution, a spokesperson said.

By Colin Campbell • Feb. 10, 2022

Tractor Supply to cut in-store safety stock with just-in-time replenishment centers

The facilities, known as mixing centers, focus on delivering some of the retailer's fastest-turning products in full-pallet quantities.

By Max Garland • Feb. 7, 2022

Fender moves to cloud ERP to keep up with record guitar demand

Businesses are pushing for better scalability and new features in their central provisions systems.

By Roberto Torres • Feb. 2, 2022

Shortages 2022: 5 products expected to be in tight supply this year

Semiconductors, aluminum and food products top the list of potential shortages this year.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 31, 2022

P&G to hike prices as chemicals, raw material costs soar

The maker of Tide and Bounty laundry detergent expects commodity price inflation to create $2.3 billion in added costs this fiscal year.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 27, 2022

Nike says a 'sole train' helped mitigate supply chain disruptions

In addition to fast-tracking product to Memphis by rail, the brand also added several distribution centers and deployed 1,000 robots.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 25, 2022

Neiman Marcus names supply chain chief to oversee $90M investment

The department store retailer is working to overhaul operations and upgrade its systems and distribution centers.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris and Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 25, 2022

How Walmart GoLocal plans to stand out among delivery businesses

GoLocal acts as a back-end delivery arm rather than a marketplace intermediary, which General Manager Harsit Patel said is a big differentiator.

By Max Garland • Jan. 19, 2022

Bed Bath & Beyond's legacy supply chain infrastructure hampered inventory flow

The retailer is grappling with the same transportation and supply challenges other retailers are facing — all while transforming its own supply chain.

By Max Garland • Jan. 11, 2022

UPS to handle record 60M returns during peak shipping season

As returns activity increases, reverse logistics have become a vital part of the retail playbook to build customer loyalty. But costs are climbing.

By Max Garland • Jan. 7, 2022

Ikea doubles automation projects as store fulfillment grows

More than half of the store's volumes were fulfilled from stores in FY21, according to an Ikea franchisee.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 5, 2022

By the numbers: Biden reviews supply chain progress with task force

The Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force touted progress in relieving port congestion, stocking store shelves and boosting the workforce.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 4, 2022

J.C. Penney taps DoorDash for same-day delivery

The department store is building out its omnichannel capabilities as it tries to secure a lasting turnaround after last year's bankruptcy. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 23, 2021

Chico's to offer same-day delivery through Walmart GoLocal

The service for GoLocal's first fashion client launched in select locations on Dec. 16, including Chicago and Fort Myers, Florida.

By Maria Monteros • Dec. 22, 2021

Companies found creative ways to bolster inventory despite volatile 2021

Companies increased production, pulled forward orders and made other adjustments to stock up in the face of supply chain challenges.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 21, 2021

New Walmart fulfillment center to support retailer's next-day shipping push

The facility in Tennessee will use robots to find items within its storage system and bring them to employees for packing before shipping to customers.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 13, 2021

DoorDash plans to offer rapid delivery for retailers

The company is joining the 15-minute delivery fray in New York City with a full-time workforce, but it sees a "larger" opportunity to provide the service to grocers and convenience stores.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 13, 2021

Nordstrom leverages pack and hold inventory to mitigate supply chain risk

The retailer is revisiting an inventory strategy that helped it during an expansion period when it needed enough items for new store openings.

By Max Garland • Dec. 7, 2021

'Supply chain comes to the fore' for Under Armour in 20 months of tumult

Colin Browne says the pandemic sped up operational changes already underway at the sportswear brand. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 7, 2021

Ashley Furniture's trucking arm to get western boost with Wilson Logistics deal

Adding capacity is a strategic move for the retailer as port congestion persists in Southern California.

By S.L. Fuller • Dec. 3, 2021

Allbirds boosts inventories by 55% due to long lead times, high demand

The shoe and apparel company has relied on careful planning, secondary sourcing and regional diversification to keep product flowing.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 2, 2021