5 charts show Amazon's growing logistics network as it puts inventory closer to consumers

Amazon doubled down on its commitment to expand supply chain capacity on its latest earnings call. And in 2020, its capital expenditures were more than three times greater than those of Walmart.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 2, 2021

Tractor Supply plans to add 3 distribution centers in 5 years, accelerate supply chain investments

The new facilities will play a part in Tractor Supply's goal to offer one-day delivery to 99% of its customers by leveraging stores and distribution centers.

By Edwin Lopez • July 30, 2021

Shippers struggle to land carrier space despite preparing for peak early

The looming capacity crunch and other challenges throughout the order-to-delivery process mean retailers not already preparing for peak will have a bumpy holiday season, experts say.

By Max Garland • July 29, 2021

Walmart offers its omnichannel capabilities to other businesses

The retailer has partnered with Adobe to give small and mid-sized retailers access to its pickup and delivery technology.

By Maria Monteros • July 29, 2021

Retail stores on track to use one-third of their space for e-commerce fulfillment by 2023: report

Swiftly rising e-commerce is projected to push 34.8% of global retail online in the next two years and 40% by 2025, according to research from Edge by Ascential.

By Daphne Howland • July 28, 2021

Bed Bath & Beyond taps Ryder in bid to speed replenishment times

The two distribution centers Ryder will operate are strategically located near dense population hubs on the two coasts and will allow inventory to quickly reach store locations.

By Shefali Kapadia • July 27, 2021

Guess sources more from India, Bangladesh to avoid tariff risks in China

The retailer is leaning more on suppliers from Bangladesh and India as tensions between the U.S. and China linger and tariffs persist, including among fashion products.

By Max Garland • July 26, 2021

Retailers leverage open calls to add diversity, sustainability to supply chains

Faced with empty shelves over the past year, companies like Kroger, Lowe's and QVC are looking for new or more local suppliers that meet their needs.

By Jen A. Miller • July 22, 2021

Instacart collaborates with Fabric to offer automated fulfillment service

The partnership is the first phase of the e-commerce company's “next-generation fulfillment initiative” that moves order picking and packing out of store aisles and into dedicated spaces.

By Jeff Wells • July 22, 2021

Walmart plans to automate 25 distribution centers with Symbotic

The retailer aims to improve the storage density, pallet density, throughput as measured in cases per hour, system availability and order accuracy of its replenishment system.

By Matt Leonard • July 20, 2021

Pandemic changed rail's product mix as e-commerce grew intermodal volumes

Large retailers and third-party logistics providers leveraged railroads to diversify their transport risk and get around labor constraints in the trucking market during the pandemic, according to a study by Northwestern University.

By Edwin Lopez • July 15, 2021

Macy's plan to speed up its supply chain starts with inventory management

By having a supply chain that looks at in-store and warehouse inventory as a whole, the retailer says it can strengthen its margins, and get items to customers quicker and in the ways they prefer.

By Jen A. Miller • July 13, 2021

Walmart's Flipkart cuts single-use plastic packaging from supply chain, shifts sustainability focus to sellers

The e-commerce platform is juggling the rapid growth in online retail with corporate goals and consumer preferences for sustainable packaging.

By Max Garland • July 13, 2021

'Real pressure on supply chains': How major players are balancing costs, speed and a new retail world

Executives from PVH, Under Armour, Dollar General, Tractor Supply and American Eagle spoke about current challenges and what it means for supply chains to be agile at NRF's Retail Converge.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 7, 2021

SKU rationalization helps Bed Bath & Beyond achieve 95% in-stock level

The company expects to improve its inventory management even further as it overhauls its technology stack with a new ERP and forecasting system.

By Matt Leonard • July 6, 2021

Walgreens plans 9 more micro-fulfillment centers for prescription delivery

The facilities will use automation to save pharmacists time and help Walgreens speed its prescription fulfillment process, according to executives.

By Edwin Lopez • July 6, 2021

Best Buy plans to spend $1.2B on diverse suppliers across its business

The retailer joins Target and others in an effort to diversify supplier bases. The initiatives' success depends on their centrality within an organization.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 28, 2021

Biden administration needs to broaden supply chain focus to all 'essential' products

The pandemic experience has clarified that personal care and cleaning products are just as important as a stocked pantry to everyday life, writes Tom Madrecki of the Consumer Brands Association.

By Tom Madrecki • June 25, 2021

Levi's COO wants to transform the brand's supply chain

The company's focus on product quality, sustainability and loyalty will require transparency and close collaboration with suppliers.

By Kaarin Moore • June 23, 2021

US needs 330M square feet of warehouse space to keep up with e-commerce: CBRE

Retailers looking to build or rent new real estate face potential sticker shock.

By Matt Leonard • June 23, 2021

Ahold Delhaize will insource 85% of distribution by 2022 in supply chain overhaul

The chain says it's on track to control its entire U.S. grocery supply chain by its 2023 deadline.

By Jeff Wells • June 23, 2021

Brands turn to air cargo as inventory delays continue

The companies behind brands such as Levi Strauss and Tommy Hilfiger said they are expediting more shipments to keep up with sales.

By Edwin Lopez • June 8, 2021

Dollar Tree: 'Upside down' ocean market sends import rates skyward

The company utilized spot markets more than it expected last quarter, which tripled its transportation cost assumption.

By S.L. Fuller • June 4, 2021

Albertsons jumps on early payment trend to boost supplier diversity

Early payments give suppliers access to capital and the ability to scale, the company said.

By Edwin Lopez • June 3, 2021

American Eagle cuts SKUs, speeds delivery with supply chain transformation

The introduction of regional hubs helped the retailer cut the number of shipments per order and reduce delivery speed by 1.5 days, the COO said.

By Matt Leonard • June 1, 2021