Supply Chain Dive's 10 best stories of 2018

Stories of transformation and disruption prevailed in the supply chain landscape.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 21, 2018

Need for speed: How fulfillment got faster in 2018

Retailers spent 2018 figuring out how to reconfigure their existing distribution networks and operational strategies to meet the goal of faster delivery, without giving up their margins in the process.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 21, 2018

Shoppers are judging retailers by their returns process

Almost all shoppers said the return experience influences whether they shop at a given retailer again, according to a study from Voxware.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 19, 2018

UPS: Returns to peak on Dec. 19

The initial spike in returns will precede a second wave in early January, driving retailers to cement their reverse logistics strategies.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 19, 2018

DHL to offer small shippers speedy delivery in 3 US cities

Vendors in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City will benefit from DHL eCommerce's new partnership with Easyship.

By Edwin Lopez • Dec. 19, 2018

Ulta's inventory reduction strategy on a 'multi-year path'

Like so many retailers adjusting to the new pace of omnichannel retail, Ulta finds building the supply chain it needs to compete comes at a cost.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 17, 2018

Lowe's supply chain overhaul starts in Nashville

The retailer opened a warehouse large enough to contain 22 football fields, which strategically positions it to ship to 75% of the country within two days.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 14, 2018

Rapid price changes make retailers more vulnerable to shocks

A Harvard Business School professor found retailers are now shifting prices every 3.6 months and said the practice may have an impact on margins.

By Craig Guillot • Dec. 11, 2018

In-store tech can help after operations mishaps, survey says

Shoppers cited out of stock inventory and long checkout lines as the top reasons for abandoning their in-store shopping journey.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 11, 2018

The supply chain behind turning unusual materials into textiles

Businesses are mining waste products for fiber production, giving rise to dozens of new alternative fibers on the market made from everything from mushroom roots to spoiled milk. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 11, 2018

Imports reach record 2M TEUs as retailers rush to beat tariffs

The National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates expect a slowdown in January 2019, as tariffs take a toll on consumer and industry confidence. 

By Barry Hochfelder • Dec. 10, 2018

Will automation take online grocery to the next level?

Using robots to fill and deliver orders promises to save retailers money and boost consumer demand, but with the technology still in its test phase, the broader impact remains unclear.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 10, 2018

Tariffs will test low-margin business, Dollar Tree CEO says

Since the discount store's customers will not abide a price increase, CEO Gary Philbin said that when it comes to tariffs: "We've got to be just better buyers."

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 5, 2018

A tale of 2 peak season inventory strategies

Based on the steps taken for peak season preparation described by Target and Kohl's, fulfillment strategy doesn't necessarily match inventory strategy. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 4, 2018

Spelling out the omnichannel alphabet soup

Four acronyms reflect the varied strategies retailers are pursuing to fulfill online and digitally-placed store orders.

By Jacqueline Smith Renfrow • Dec. 4, 2018

Is BOSS the new BOPIS?

In-store pickup and ship-to-store fulfillment models have distinct challenges — and advantages.

By Jacqueline Smith Renfrow • Dec. 4, 2018

Executive of the Year: Michelle Gass, Kohl's

Michelle Gass has not just been a positive force for Kohl's — experts believe her rise is good news for supply chain executives everywhere.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 3, 2018

Resilience Plan of the Year: Hasbro's inventory management strategy

Strategic forecasting and demand planning allowed the toy manufacturer to mitigate a major risk event.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 3, 2018

Omnichannel is the real Thanksgiving retail winner

The number of shoppers making purchases both in person and online was up nearly 40% from Black Friday to Cyber Monday last year.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 28, 2018

Third-party sellers from China dominate Amazon's apparel offerings

Amazon's exploding apparel category presents a global fulfillment challenge that isn't getting any easier. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 27, 2018

Amazon reports biggest shopping day ever on Cyber Monday

Customers globally are flocking to the e-commerce giant for the holidays, but in the U.S. the best deals in some categories are found elsewhere.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 27, 2018

The winners and losers of Black Friday 2018

Some retailers delighted their customers with promotions and free shipping while others crashed and burned. 

By Kaarin Vembar • Nov. 25, 2018

Williams-Sonoma lays out 'aggressive plan' to mitigate China tariffs

CEO Laura Alber said the retailer is "lucky" to have a vertically integrated supply chain and close relationship with vendors, allowing it to make necessary adjustments to sourcing. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 21, 2018

Why Amazon picked Nashville, Tennessee

New York City and Northern Virginia are grabbing HQ2 headlines. But Music City scored too.

By Jen A. Miller • Nov. 20, 2018

A Thanksgiving food waste experiment for every supply chain

Just because an unsold item won't rot, doesn't mean it isn't waste. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 16, 2018