Shippers eye struggling retail properties for conversion to last-mile, fulfillment centers

A shift to online shopping during the coronavirus outbreak has accelerated the trend of retailers retrofitting store properties for supply chain functions.

By Morgan Forde • July 28, 2020

FreshDirect, Fabric to launch micro-fulfillment-powered grocery delivery in DC-area

Expanded service and a same-day offering will kick off later this year from a 10,000-square-foot setup inside a Maryland distribution facility.

By Jeff Wells • July 28, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Supply Chain Technology Adoption

Retailers and manufacturers are increasingly employing artificial intelligence, digital twins and traceability systems to improve visibility and operational performance.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Apple's 2030 roadmap to carbon neutrality focuses on product design, supplier base

The company plans to invest in emissions reduction technologies and carbon removal projects to achieve net-zero emissions across its operations, manufacturing, supplier base and product life cycles.

By Morgan Forde • July 23, 2020

Home Depot leans on efficiency analysis for sustainable transport plan

"As we try and improve the efficiency of our supply chain, it actually results in massively better sustainability measures," the VP of transportation told Supply Chain Dive.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 23, 2020

Walmart's planned South Carolina warehouse will increase Port of Charleston volume 5%

The $220 million, 3 million-square-foot facility will serve regional distribution centers that support about 850 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs.

By Matt Leonard • July 22, 2020

Coca-Cola expands 'ruthless' SKU rationalization strategy to cut entire product lines

The beverage giant is in the process of discontinuing the Odwalla juice brand — a decision stemming from the SKU rationalization work the company has undertaken due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. 

By Emma Cosgrove • July 22, 2020

Maersk, Microsoft, Nike, Unilever, others form net-zero emissions initiative citing 'climate emergency'

Member companies have committed to sharing best practices across their value chains.

By Morgan Forde • July 21, 2020

FedEx installs robotic arms for automated parcel sorting to handle rising e-commerce volume

The carrier is partnering with Yaskawa America and Plus One Robotics, starting with four robotic arms sorting small parcels in its Memphis hub. 

By Morgan Forde • July 17, 2020

Asos works to restore warehouse throughput, build operational flexibility for peak

The retailer will incur roughly $5.7 million in costs related to pandemic operational requirements needed to keep workers safe while scaling capacity for peak.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 17, 2020

Port of LA: 2020 volume will be lowest since Great Recession

It took nearly a decade to see levels recover after the Great Recession. But the port is confident it won't take that long this time around.

By Matt Leonard • July 16, 2020

Amazon preps for peak with restrictions on 3rd-party seller warehouse space

"Amazon is preparing for the 'worst,' which in this case it could be the best holiday season in a generation," Rick Watson, CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting, told Supply Chain Dive.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 14, 2020

FDA releases food safety blueprint that uses tech to bolster visibility, recall tracking

Tech-enabled traceability, data tools, modernization and strengthening safety culture are ways the agency believes foodborne illnesses can be reduced.

By Jessi Devenyns • July 14, 2020

Patent Pending: Can't sign for your package? Just let UPS track your phone's location

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny.

By Matt Leonard • July 10, 2020

Will sustainability take a backseat to COVID-19 challenges?

Procurement leaders from Danone, PepsiCo, L'Oreal and more see the practices and tools gained through sustainability work as assets in the battle against pandemic supply chain disruptions.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 9, 2020

NRF forecasts lowest peak season since 2014

U.S. ports handled 1.53 million TEUs in May, down 17% year over year. June is estimated at 1.69 million TEUs, down almost 6% compared to last year.

By Matt Leonard • July 9, 2020

Stop & Shop expands e-commerce operations as demand climbs

To better support online grocery demand, the retailer will add three warerooms and roll out pickup service to at least 50 more stores. It has also expanded its delivery partnership with Instacart.

By Jessica Dumont • July 2, 2020

With stores closed, retailers supercharged omnichannel adoption

Curbside pickup and ship-from-store capabilities have become essential skills in the time of the coronavirus, leading retailers to launch new services at record pace.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 30, 2020

McCormick will run 24-hour operations after pandemic-driven home cooking depletes inventories

Manufacturing capacity became "a pressure point," said McCormick's CEO, as demand surged and sales grew 26% year-over-year in the consumer segment. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 30, 2020

Nike increases digital fulfillment capacity 3x due to pandemic

The retailer adjusted its inventory buying plans, canceled roughly 30% of pre-pandemic factory purchase orders and is highlighting its investment in demand sensing technology.

By Matt Leonard • June 26, 2020

Sales plummeted 14% in April leaving companies with bulging inventories

The inventory-to-sales ratio paints a clear picture of the pandemic and the economic turmoil it has created across retail and manufacturing, leaving product to languish in stockrooms, destined for markdowns or donations.

By Matt Leonard • June 23, 2020

Coronavirus and counterfeits: How supply chain leaders can protect their products and brands

It's dangerous to assume only healthcare products are impacted by counterfeiting during the pandemic, writes Andrew Stevens, a senior director analyst in Gartner's supply chain practice.

By Andrew Stevens • June 22, 2020

Kroger's omnichannel investments pay off in Q1

The grocer credited tech investments for its ability to handle demand for delivery and pickup services.

By Jeff Wells • June 19, 2020

Designer Brands to trim vendor list to prep for post-pandemic landscape

Simplification is a watchword of supply chains post-lockdown, according to business executives across sectors.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 19, 2020

Unilever to request suppliers' emissions data on invoices

The supplier accountability effort seeks to advance Unilever' sustainability goals, such as reaching net-zero emissions from products by 2039 and ridding its supply chain of deforestation by 2023.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 17, 2020

DHL Express expands hiring as peak season volumes continue through summer

The carrier is opening 400 full- and part-time positions at three major airports to cope with double-digit increases in parcel volume.

By Morgan Forde • June 15, 2020