Wayfair cites ocean shipping disruption, port congestion for in-stock issues

The retailer expects it could take a "few months" to get back to the in-stock levels it usually tries to maintain, one executive said.

By Matt Leonard • March 1, 2021

Crocs: Redundancy in ocean freight contracts takes priority over cost

The footwear brand's logistics director said a turbulent market with high consumer demand proves container shipping is a commodity, not a service.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 26, 2021

Kohl's investor group proposes sourcing, inventory changes to win back margins

The group said the retailer is overpaying for purchases in a sourcing agreement it has with a third-party agent, which accounts for 20% of its total purchases. 

By A.B. Brown • Feb. 25, 2021

No rate relief in sight for ocean shippers as Lunar New Year passes

If consumer spending doesn't fall off during 2021, the ocean shipping industry could be in for a busy and record-breaking year, one analyst predicted.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 23, 2021

Walgreens expands same-day delivery with Instacart

Experts say store-based fulfillment partnerships are a good fit for retailers that see modest online demand and don't wish to invest in structural changes to support e-commerce.

By Jeff Wells • Feb. 23, 2021

Walmart says its automated supply chain is 'ready to scale'

There's a limit to how much the retailer can pick, fulfill and ship from stores, the CEO said. Walmart is banking on automation to change that.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 19, 2021

Anheuser-Busch to invest $1B to expand capacity, sustainability initiatives

The company said $50 million would go toward expanding its seltzer brewing capabilities and $100 million for new lines to produce cans.

By Christopher Doering • Feb. 5, 2021

Home Depot opens automated Dallas fulfillment center with hydrogen-powered forklifts

The facility is part of the retailer's $1.2 billion supply chain investment and includes six miles of mechanized lines. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 4, 2021

Amazon says fulfillment, logistics expansion will help it return to 1-day delivery

Additional square footage allows Amazon to handle more shipments internally and have greater control from point A to point B.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 3, 2021

UPS prepares for long-term capacity squeeze, moves toward 'personalized pricing'

The peak season capacity shortfall experienced in 2020 is expected to continue in the new year, CEO Carol Tomé said Tuesday.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 2, 2021

A moral monopoly: The difference between supplier-performance management and bullying

Businesses must reevaluate the highly unequal distribution of risk and reward.

By Kim van der Weerd • Jan. 28, 2021

Eager to innovate in pickup, retailers look to lockers and kiosks

As retailers look to storage units to enhance omichannel and delivery service, they must grapple with limitations that could impede adoption.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 26, 2021

The pandemic put supply chains front and center for retailers — perhaps for the first time

Retail supply chains came under intense strain and went through wild convolutions last year. To weather the next storm, the industry must be agile and take risk seriously.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 25, 2021

Gig economy emerges as key part of the parcel ecosystem

During the pandemic, Instacart, Postmates, Roadie, Shipt and others have moved into new roles, in many cases integrating into retailers' parcel portfolios as an alternative to traditional carriers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 25, 2021

Meijer seeks out local Midwestern suppliers for summit event

The "Lift Local Supplier Event" will invite businesses to pitch their products virtually on April 1 and follows a successful Supplier Diversity Summit in November.

By Rosie Bradbury • Jan. 21, 2021

4 elements of the next phase of last-mile delivery

The technologies to move retail delivery forward already exist. The next step is fully weaving last-mile services into the retail landscape.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 20, 2021

How supply chains adjusted demand forecasts during the pandemic

Demand planners started to bring in data from Google Trends and Amazon marketplaces to better understand unpredictable consumer buying habits.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 19, 2021

How Dick's and Wayfair connect consumers with real-time inventory data

The pandemic upped the stakes for data accuracy, as well as the velocity and volume at which it needed to flow.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 19, 2021

Walmart e-commerce chief Marc Lore to retire

As Lore leaves the company, Walmart has established itself as a much stronger omnichannel retailer than before he joined.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 15, 2021

UPS, Verizon, Skyward partner on 5G drone delivery in Florida

Many details on the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but the companies say 5G will be important to scaling delivery fleets.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2021

Walmart to test refrigerated boxes that store grocery deliveries outside homes

The secure, internet-connected units can hold items at various temperatures and use ultraviolet light to kill viruses, mold and mildew.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 13, 2021

CH Robinson, SAS bet real-time demand data can shorten freight bid windows

Demand doesn't change at the pace of an annual contract. The two companies will use their existing tools to drive more agile freight procurement.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 12, 2021

Bed Bath & Beyond's COO says the company is pivoting to a 'common-sense' supply chain model

The retailer's network of 30 cross docks will drastically reduce in number soon, making way for distribution centers, run by one or more third parties, COO John Hartmann said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 8, 2021

UPS expects to break weekly returns record with nearly 9M returns

As e-commerce took a larger share of overall commerce in 2020, returns increased and diffused out over the holiday shopping period.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 6, 2021

Nordstrom brings supply chain talent into the C-suite

The retailer's digital sales increased to 54% in 2020, highlighting the importance of supply chain and omnichannel in serving customers, according to a Nordstrom executive.

By A.B. Brown • Dec. 22, 2020