Today's News
What is FIFO? First In, First Out: Benefits and How to Calculate
Learn MoreFIFO stands for “first in, first out.” It is an inventory accounting method and stock rotation strategy. Businesses use it to sell or use the oldest inventory first. If you are a business owner, FIFO is especially useful for managing inventory efficiently and ensuring accurate financial reporting. The FIFO method is used for accounting purposes, […]
3PL vs. 4PL vs. 5PL: Their Key Differences
Growing global demand and rising customer expectations have pushed many businesses to rethink how they manage logistics. Instead of handling everything in-house, outsourced logistics services have become a practical and scalable choice, especially for companies aiming to streamline their company’s operations and boost supply chain efficiency. Understanding the difference between 3PL vs 4PL vs 5PL […]
Macy’s Bets Big on Automation to Reinvent Its Supply Chain
By Amy Roach | October 30, 2025 When Macy’s Inc. cut the ribbon on its new automated fulfillment center in China Grove, North Carolina earlier this month, it signaled something more than a real estate expansion: it marked a strategic reset for one of America’s oldest retail brands. At 2.5 million square feet and with […]
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
Sallaum Lines debuted its first LNG dual-fuel newbuilding, the Ocean Breeze, with a ceremony in the port of Antwerp. The Ocean Breeze is the first of six LNG dual-fuel pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) to join the Sallaum Lines fleet by 2027, providing substantial reductions in CO2, NO2, and particulate emissions and boosting the RoRo carrier’s capacity.
Just in Case (JIC) Manufacturing: What It Is, Benefits, and Drawbacks
JIC manufacturing focuses on keeping extra stock to prepare for unexpected changes in customer demand or supplier delays. This inventory strategy aims to avoid production delays and ensure smooth manufacturing processes by holding more raw materials and finished goods than usual. Companies rely on just-in-case inventory to protect against supply chain disruptions and maintain supply […]
PORTS IN MOTION: 11 Infrastructure Projects Shaping U.S. Supply Chains
From deeper channels to modernized terminals, ports nationwide are investing in infrastructure that keeps cargo moving and supply chains competitive.
Optimizing Direct-to-Consumer Operations
Direct-to-consumer has transformed into a frontline revenue engine. Faster delivery demands, higher return rates, and rising last-mile costs make logistics the battleground.
3 Logistics Metrics That Matter More Than You Think
A late truck, a surprise freight charge, a broken pallet—these things show up in dashboards daily. They’re the kind of problems that seem minor at first. You fix them and move on, but over time, they add up.
From Chaos to Control: Leveraging AI for Smarter Rate and Freight Decision-Making
Companies can shift from reactive to proactive, controlled decision-making by leveraging artificial intelligence. Here are three areas where AI can be transformative:
How Multimodal Freight Bolsters Domestic Supply Chains
Global trade has experienced volatility due to shifting tariffs and port issues, making international sourcing riskier and harder to plan. Consequently, more companies are pursuing domestic sourcing for increased control and shorter transit times. But even U.S.-based logistics operations face challenges such as varying lead times and equipment availability.
It’s a Logistics Match! How Locations Can Stand Out
While offering geographical advantages and proximity to major markets is a solid starting point, locations draw site-selection decision makers by investing in and enhancing their logistics profiles.
Autonomous Supply Chains: Why Now?
For logistics professionals tasked with maintaining smooth operations amidst deepening complexity, the promise of autonomous supply chains offers a powerful solution to build resilience, agility, and strategic advantage.
Featured Articles
Consumers Want More Action on Sustainability
Learn MoreThe Retail and Sustainability Survey from global business applications firm CGS illustrates the demand for sustainability, even at the cost of losing expedited shipping times.
What’s the biggest supply chain silo?
Readers shine a light on the most significant information lapses and data gaps in the supply chain, from transportation siloes to the lack of visibility into suppliers.
Higher Transport Rates on the Horizon
Fuel surcharges, market forces, and easing truckload growth rates are driving up parcel and LTL rates, says Cowen/AFS’s 2022 Freight Index.
What pandemic-era adjustment will have the greatest supply chain impact?
The acceleration of digital twins. The ability to digitally model a company’s manufacturing and distribution network will allow it to quickly assess the impact of large and small disruptions and take appropriate actions. —Allen Jacques Industry Thought Leader Kinaxis The use of data analytics to help suppliers really understand consumer behavior. Suppliers decided to eliminate […]
NOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief
The latest mergers & acquisitions, logistics contracts, sustainability initiatives, humanitarian logistics efforts and more. Good Works The Coca-Cola Company, based in Atlanta, donated $1 million to the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation’s Commercial Truck Driving Program. The donation funds driver training programs and helps ensure more drivers are in the pipeline to fill trucking […]
Supply Chain Helps Meet ESG Goals
As corporations become increasingly focused on ESG initiatives, their supply chain and logistics partners respond with tools and services designed to help them grow sustainability and other goals.
2022 75 Green Supply Chain Partners
Inbound Logistics editors select 75 companies going above and beyond to prioritize green initiatives and help global supply chains become more sustainable. These companies are dedicated to developing and implementing best practices that leave a positive footprint on the world.
Chemical Logistics: Critical Challenges Drive Creativity
Chemical shippers and their partners keep critical shipments moving safely and efficiently—refining their strategies and getting creative despite considerable challenges. Here’s how leading providers formulate solutions for the chemical industry.
Vertical Focus: Footwear
China SC Woes Have Footwear Industry Tied In Knots The impact on the supply chain from lockdowns in China was a major themefor footwear retailers in the first half of 2022. Largely reporting lower-than-expected earnings, many major footwear brands pointed a finger at the lockdowns to explain their disappointing performance levels. Strict and extended COVID-19 […]
To Efficiently Unload Trucks, You First Need to Dance: A Winning Collaboration Between DHL Supply Chain and Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics has established a reputation as one of the most innovative and advanced robotics companies in the world. Much of this reputation has grown through the many videos of its dancing robots. And, while the videos are fun, they also serve a very real purpose in spurring innovation and advancing robotic technology. The videos, […]
Supply Chain Knowledge Center
What is FIFO? First In, First Out: Benefits and How to Calculate
Learn MoreFIFO stands for “first in, first out.” It is an inventory accounting method and stock rotation strategy. Businesses use it to sell or use the oldest inventory first. If you are a business owner, FIFO is especially useful for managing inventory efficiently and ensuring accurate financial reporting. The FIFO method is used for accounting purposes, […]
3PL vs. 4PL vs. 5PL: Their Key Differences
Growing global demand and rising customer expectations have pushed many businesses to rethink how they manage logistics. Instead of handling everything in-house, outsourced logistics services have become a practical and scalable choice, especially for companies aiming to streamline their company’s operations and boost supply chain efficiency. Understanding the difference between 3PL vs 4PL vs 5PL […]
Just in Case (JIC) Manufacturing: What It Is, Benefits, and Drawbacks
JIC manufacturing focuses on keeping extra stock to prepare for unexpected changes in customer demand or supplier delays. This inventory strategy aims to avoid production delays and ensure smooth manufacturing processes by holding more raw materials and finished goods than usual. Companies rely on just-in-case inventory to protect against supply chain disruptions and maintain supply […]
Order Batching: What It Is, Common Methods, and Benefits
Order picking eats up more than half of labor time in most warehouse operations. Ignoring this drains productivity, inflates labor costs, and frustrates teams trying to meet rising customer expectations. Acting on that inefficiency matters. Order batching solves this by grouping orders in such a way that reduces movement, improves the picking process, and helps […]
Certificate of Analysis (COA): What It Is, Key Elements, and Why They Matter
Goods move fast in today’s global supply chain. But speed means nothing without quality assurance. In the complex world of supply chains and regulatory compliance, every handoff, from supplier to warehouse, then to customers, carries a risk: mislabeled, contaminated, or substandard products slipping through. A certificate of analysis plays a key role in stopping that. […]
5PL: Understanding It, History, and Key Functions
5PL refers to a logistics model built around full digital integration and strategic control. It supports businesses with complex logistics needs by managing the entire logistics function through advanced tools and connected platforms.
