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How the Pandemic Has Changed Online Food and Grocery Shopping
Among the many consumer behavioral shifts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and one of the largest that businesses have had to adapt to is the rise of e-commerce. Shopping online quickly became a huge part of consumers’ lives as they grappled with the challenges of pandemic-related restrictions. Included in that category is online food…
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Supply Chain Challenges and the Semiconductor Chip Shortage
As the economy continues to reopen and businesses strive to move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, industries are experiencing a demand surge that has overwhelmed the supply chain in numerous areas. Material shortages, increasing prices, port bottlenecks, and challenges with demand forecasting are just some of the disruptions companies are trying to work through. To make…
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Supply Chain Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
Supply Chain AI and Machine Learning Over the last few years, supply chain management has progressively become a more difficult task. Most recently, the pandemic proved that it is imperative for manufacturers to develop contingency plans to keep production moving in times of uncertainty. Supply chain artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are on the…
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Autonomous Trucking Industry Developments
Automation technology that once seemed years away is quickly evolving and emerging as a key component for the future growth of the global supply chain. Among the key innovations being watched closely by industry analysts are autonomous trucking. If development and testing continue apace, we may see self-driving trucks on our roads within the next…
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2022 Intentions and Goals for the Supply Chain
For many, 2021 brought labor shortages, continued supply chain disruptions, and an overall increase in demand. The last two years have taught companies that they must be prepared to handle any situation that comes their way and to always expect the unexpected. Many spent the last year adapting to the changing environment, increasing their efficiencies…
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Warehouse Management Systems for a Post-COVID Economy
As retailers and manufacturers navigate the challenges of the post-COVID economy, an optimized workflow and distribution network is imperative to their success. Logistics companies and the global supply chain have suffered many disruptions over the last year, leading to many experts urging companies to invest in key supply chain innovations, such as effectively managed warehouse management systems, to help them weather the crisis as the economy continues to bounce back slowly. What is a Warehouse Management System? A warehouse…
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Environmental Logistics and Climate Change
Environmental logistics—practices and measures focused on lowering the impact logistics have on the planet—play an increasingly vital role in keeping supply chains safe and efficient. Many recent headlines have focused on supply chain disruptions caused by the Delta variant, but the effects of climate change have also presented logistics companies with many challenges. Hurricane Ida put…
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2022 Supply Chain Industry Predictions
If the past two years have taught us anything, it is that we should expect the unexpected. Numerous experts have made forecasts about where the world is headed; many have been proven right while others have been far off the mark. While we can’t know for certain what the supply chain of tomorrow looks like,…
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Supply Chain Hiring Trends
Supply chain disruptions remain a concern for many retailers as the holiday season approaches. Material shortages, shipping delays, and rising demand have logistics companies scrambling to accommodate surges on customer orders while they continue to navigate the current supply chain challenges. As a result, the industry is taking a close look at supply chain hiring…
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The Importance of Supply Chain Resilience
Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continue to make headlines across the nation. Over the last year and a half, consumers have experienced empty grocery shelves, long shipping times, and shortages of basic goods such as toilet paper, proving that the pre-COVID supply chain was not equipped to withstand pandemic-related hardships. To prevent…
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Achieving Supply Chain Sustainability
“Sustainability” now appears inextricably linked with our present corporate culture. For some businesses, the concept may be a genuine, but still an ill-defined goal. For others, sustainability is seamlessly integrated into both long-term strategies and day-to-day business operations. Most companies can at least agree on its importance. A recent Oxford Economics survey found that 65% of companies have created a clear purpose statement around…
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The Importance of Employee Motivation in the Supply Chain
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the landscape of the workplace. In some cases, it has given employees desired flexibility and choice, and in others it has created new stressors and hardships. An unfortunate theme of 2020 was that there weren’t enough people working due to the economic downturn posed by the pandemic. And now…