Our supply chain involves a contract manufacturer, a third-party testing facility, warehouses to store inventory and a freighting company. For example, if my contract manufacturer is late with an order it can cause me to incur excess costs with the freighting and warehousing companies, respectively. Many areas of the supply chain might not feel as if they are affected by this omnichannel revolution, but it disturbs every part of the supply chain. MORE

In 2016, we saw this with Unilever’s partnership with technology startup Convoy—an on-demand freight business. Examples include everything from enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions and factory communications to freight forwarders and forecasting and inventory management software. Expect more focus on made in the USA, locally sourced/produced/designed goods and products made/marketed for specific cities and regions. MORE

Instead of having to deal with an ineffective point-to-point communication system like EDI and the complexity of reconciling multiple data sources with multiple permission models, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) provides a singular mechanism to securely integrate, harmonize, and synchronize data for all participants. Source ] Blockchain can help mitigate these losses and their associated disputes. Blockchain Omnichannel Supply Chain Transportation Management MORE

Omnichannel Supply Chains Will Become Standard. Omnichannel is perhaps the biggest of the 2018 supply chain trends. 2018 will see more supply chains pursue omnichannel strategies , eliminating inconsistencies and disparate systems and creating a cohesive, shopping experience for consumers. In addition, greater use of 3PLs, which usually offer better benefits, pay and freight rates than national carriers, may help actively reduce spikes in freight rates. MORE

As the biggest players in fulfillment, distribution and omnichannel retail continue to push boundaries, logistics and planning strategists are forced to innovate. Implement supply chain actions, including with internal procurement teams, with suppliers and through broader collaboration, and develop measurable targets for these efforts. Take a fresh look at your omnichannel fulfillment. “Innovation is crucial for expanding the current footprint of omni-channel fulfillment. MORE

This, combined with efforts to move sources closer to domestic markets (driven by the overwhelming growth in omnichannel retail), will all but eradicate offshore production, at least for industries in which off-shoring benefits relate purely to labour. The idea is to make rail-freight transport viable over sub-1,000-kilometre distances and to ease highway congestion. MORE

Today, with omnichannel pressures and a drastically different retail environment, stores are working hard to eliminate excess inventory and penalize vendors for early (and late) deliveries. As you can imagine, with a tight transportation market, it’s become even more difficult for vendors to source reliable trucks. Direct Consumer Impacts USA Today reports that a severe shortage of truckers is pushing up freight costs and, in turn, nudging up retail prices. MORE

” — Matt Reynolds, Opinion: As COVID-19 Precipitates Big Consumer Shift, Omnichannel Adapts , Packaging World; Twitter: @packagingworld 8. “Some companies are starting to invest in creating data-backed profiles of their supplier base so they know where and when to look for second sources. These tools can also rapidly model alternate supply and transportation scenarios, such as rerouting around a port strike or going to an alternate source of supply.” MORE

Bed Bath & Beyond @BedBathBeyond Bed Bath & Beyond has discovered a way to save millions of dollars on freight over the next few years, thanks to a new 755,000 square-foot distribution facility slated to open in the fall of 2019. Strategies include sourcing more items directly from manufacturers to improve margins, SKU rationalization and space reduction, “show more carry less” and assisted-store ordering. MORE