Supply Chain
- Iran war slows growth in services, manufacturing: S&P GlobalWorries about war-induced inflation, supply bottlenecks, the cost of living and government policy have eroded sentiments among services companies, S&P Global said.
- Burlington builds automated, 2M-square-foot Arizona distribution centerThe retailer expects to open the facility in 2028 and says the addition will help speed up operations.
- Bassett Furniture faces higher transport, material costsThe furniture retailer’s captive freight relationship with J.B. Hunt Transport Services has subjected it to weekly surcharges as diesel prices fluctuate due to the Iran war.
- Lululemon touts inventory wins from SKU cuts, rebalancingThe apparel brand predicts that inventory will be flat on a unit basis this year as it continues to tangle with tariff headwinds.
- A generational shift to fixing supply chain disruptionsTariffs and trade wars are painful, but companies that use the disruption to build something better will come out stronger.
Packaging
- Mastering Returnable Transport Items (RTIs) in Peak SeasonsReturnable Transport Items (RTI) losses of 10–15% and lack of real-time visibility are critical bottlenecks in peak-season supply chains. RFID and BLE tracking enable end-to-end asset visibility, reducing costs, improving throughput, and strengthening operational resilience.
- Driving Efficiency and Sustainability in PackagingIn today’s evolving environment, packaging has become a critical driver of cost savings, efficiency and sustainability. Businesses across all industries are facing rising shipping costs, labor shortages, and increasing pressure to operate more sustainably.
- Box-Intact Fulfillment Is the Next Strategic Shift in Retail LogisticsBox-intact fulfillment is a strategic shift that redefines what collaboration and efficiency mean in modern retail.
- Reinventing Warehouse Management with an Intelligent FrameworkWarehouses today face a harsh reality: structural volatility is the new normal. Rising costs, labor shortages, and data overload are exposing the fragility of outdated models. This guide outlines a new framework built on four actionable tenets designed to transform your operations from reactive to resilient.
- Why Packaging Engineers Should Help Guide Product DesignOne of the most expensive mistakes in product development is waiting to engage packaging engineering until after the product is developed.
Transportation & Distribution
- What Carriers Should Actually Expect From AI in Their TMSThe question carriers need to answer is whether the AI in their current platform is actually doing the work, or just along for the ride.
- The Opportunity that Comes with the EU's July 2026 Van Regulation ResetThe businesses that treat the new EU rules for van delivery operations as a procurement opportunity will define the next decade of European supply chain performance.
- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Embedded AI that senses, explains, and optimizesIn today’s rapidly evolving supply chain planning landscape, staying ahead demands more than incremental tweaks - it requires reimagining how AI is embedded into every planning decision.
- Fuel Truck Explosion Shuts Down Bridge Over Panama CanalAuthorities say that one fuel truck worker was killed in the blast, while two firefighters were injured during response efforts.
- Iran War's Economic Toll Continues to SpreadThe national U.S. average reached $4 a gallon on March 30, the highest mark the country has seen since August of 2022.