supply chain
Stories tagged supply chain.
Deloitte survey: 28% of holiday budgets to be spent by end of October
A Deloitte holiday shopping survey of 4,000 U.S. consumers finds 22% plan to start buying earlier than last year, with 28% of budgets expected to be used up by the end of October — the highest share in six years.
China's Factory Base Moves From Cheap Labour to AI and Automation
China's manufacturing sector is shifting away from its reputation for cheap, mass-produced goods toward highly automated plants turning out electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy equipment, with up to $12 trillion in investment projected through 2035.
Retailers Chase 'Phantom Inventory' Losses With AI Stock Rebalancing
Stock that exists in a retailer's system but cannot be bought is quietly costing sales, and Kearney estimates that closing the availability gap could lift revenue by as much as 1%. AI-assisted inventory rebalancing is being deployed to shrink that gap, cutting transfer-planning time by as much as 90%.
Rising Gas Prices Threaten to Squeeze Holiday Retail Supply Chains
U.S. gasoline prices have climbed roughly 50% since the conflict involving the U.S., Iran and Israel began on Feb. 28, with sharp state-level jumps hitting just as retailers enter their most important selling period of the year.
Rising Raw Material Costs Squeeze Sticker Makers and More
Vinyl prices have climbed nearly 6% in 2026, part of a broader increase in oil-derived materials like PVC and resin that is pressuring product manufacturers.
Air Freight Costs Surge, But Brands Absorb the Hit for Faster Inventory
Soaring air freight rates are prompting some retailers to pay a premium for faster shipping when supply chain disruptions threaten stock levels. Capri and Figs are among the brands taking on the extra cost to avoid inventory shortfalls.
Target Unveils Proxima Digital-Twin Platform to Boost Inventory Availability
Source signal: Target builds digital-twin platform to improve inventory availability
Fuel, Freight and Tariff Costs Complicate Holiday Importing
Importers are contending with sharply higher fuel and freight rates during the peak shipping season, adding new cost pressures on top of recent tariff changes.
Global Memory Shortage Hits MacBook Air Supply
Apple's popular MacBook Air is facing constrained supply due to a global memory chip shortage driven by AI demand, with delivery delays extending into September.
Nigeria Halts Raw Cocoa Exports to Boost Domestic Processing
Nigeria has joined West African neighbors in agreeing to stop exporting raw cocoa beans, aiming to capture more value from its cocoa production through domestic processing and manufacturing.
Italian Police Probe Nine Luxury Brands Over Subcontractor Labour Practices
Italian authorities have launched a second wave of labour investigations, visiting the headquarters of nine luxury fashion houses to demand documents on supply-chain controls amid allegations of worker exploitation at subcontractors.
Extreme heat in India frays fashion supply chains, study finds
Scorching temperatures are causing higher employee absenteeism and productivity losses of up to 10% for garment manufacturers in India during peak summer, according to a new study.
Traceability Becomes Market Access Requirement for Fashion Brands Amid Forced Labour Regulations
With the US, EU and Canada introducing forced labour measures in supply chains, traceability is no longer optional but a necessity for fashion brands to access key markets.
Henkel Opens €45 Million Centralized Warehouse in Düsseldorf
Henkel has inaugurated a €45 million high-bay warehouse at its Düsseldorf headquarters, consolidating five former warehouses across Germany and the Benelux region into one facility.