Supply Chain

The global supply chain has been tested repeatedly in recent years, from pandemic shortages to disruptions in the Suez and Panama Canals. While many retailers made progress managing their supply chains after those challenges, now tariffs are testing them again. Before the United States’ new trade policy, many brands were not confident that they could…

In this episode of Total Retail Tech Insights, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Rachel De Los Santos, senior director of client success at ESW, the global direct-to-consumer e-commerce leader. Listen in as De Los Santos provides an overview of her role (1:05), ESW's business offerings for retailers and brands (2:00), and what strategic inventory optimization looks…

As supply chain-focused businesses look to address concerns around challenges such as inflation and sustainability costs, they’re betting big on technology. One in four have an innovation budget of at least $500,000, while 39 percent have seen an increase in budget for 2025, according to Kenco’s State of Supply Chain Innovation Transformation Report. That’s great…

Making good on its promise to spend $4 billion by the end of 2026 to triple the size of its rural delivery network, Amazon.com announced Tuesday it would soon be providing same- and next-day delivery to 4,000 smaller cities, towns and rural communities across the country. The company said in a press release the extra…

Fraud isn’t new. Counterfeit luxury goods were such a problem in ancient Rome that laws were passed to deter them. By the 13th century, forging a trademark could cost you your life. Fast-forward to today. Fraud now scales with modern commerce. Tampering, theft and shrinkage are increasingly prevalent across global retail and e-commerce supply chains,…

As tariff tensions fluctuate, their consequences are already rippling through global supply chains. For small and midsized e-commerce players, it’s not just a policy issue — it’s a strategic threat to pricing models, sourcing stability and customer trust. Retailers are grappling with rising landed costs and longer lead times, and many are being forced to…

Import cargo at the nation’s major container ports is expected to see a surge through this summer as retailers take advantage of a 90-day reduction in tariffs that were recently imposed on China, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. According to NRF Vice President for…

Escalating trade conflicts, labor shortages, bad weather events, and shifting regulations are putting increased pressure on retail supply chains, especially logistics operations. Uncertainty is inevitable in this industry. For brands that aren’t prepared, it can mean missed deliveries, lost revenue, and frustrated customers. However, for brands that rethink their logistics strategy, these challenges become opportunities…

In 2025, change and uncertainty have defined everything from the broader economy and operational costs to the political and regulatory environments. For retailers that manage heavy duty truck transportation fleets, nowhere has this been more prevalent than the relaxing of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandate, specifically the “Advanced Clean Fleet” regulation, which would…

Recent changes in U.S. trade policy, including the imposition of new tariffs and the suspension of the de minimis exemption, have significant implications for supply chain and procurement professionals. Understanding these impacts is crucial for navigating the evolving landscape. End of De Minimis Exemption: What it Means for Costs and Compliance The suspension of the…