The Supply Chainer

Supply chain leaders are no strangers to the pressure of change. But in the back half of 2025, the pace is no longer just “fast”—it’s outpacing the ability of many organizations to adapt. Two powerful forces are shaping the landscape: a surge in AI-driven decision-making and a workforce that isn’t yet ready to capitalize on it. Together, they present both an opportunity and a warning for the industry. The technology side is racing forward. AI-powered predictive analytics, rea

Volatility has become the defining characteristic of ocean freight markets. Over the past five years, container shipping rates have exhibited swings more extreme than many financial commodities, creating significant uncertainty for both carriers and beneficial cargo owners (BCOs). In response, the industry is steadily moving toward index-linked contracting structures — agreements that tie freight rates to an external benchmark rather than fixed annual prices. This shift has t

February delivered a focused set of confirmed supply chain leadership transitions across food manufacturing, container shipping, and consumer goods supply operations. Rather than sweeping overhauls at global logistics giants, the month reflected structural reinforcement in sectors where execution discipline, fleet modernization, and operational resilience remain paramount. Hormel Foods Names New Chief Supply Chain Officer Hormel Foods appointed Will Bonifant  as Group Vice P

Interview with Paul Vezelis, CEO and Co-Founder of Traxlo Food retailers rarely operate with excess staff. High turnover, absenteeism, seasonal spikes, and repetitive in-store tasks create constant pressure on store managers. The need is not abstract — it is immediate: reliable, on-demand labor that can step in quickly without long hiring cycles. Traxlo positions itself as a structural response to that problem. The Europe-based startup operates a retail gig platform designed

In the latest episode of the Resilient Supply Chain Podcast, host Tom Raftery is joined by Ricky Ho, Founder and CEO of SourceReady, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping supplier discovery, risk management, and diversification strategy. The discussion examines how relationship-driven sourcing models are being challenged by geopolitical volatility, tariff exposure, sanctions risk, and increasing regulatory scrutiny. The full episode is available at www.resilient

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs has triggered a fresh round of analysis across global supply chains. On paper, the ruling invalidates the legal basis for a wide range of country specific and emergency related duties imposed over the past year. In practice, however, the implications are more nuanced and, for operators, far less relieving than headlines might suggest.

Post-holiday inventory backlogs are again testing apparel supply chains, as weaker-than-expected Q4 retail performance leaves brands holding surplus fabric, packaging, and finished goods. With discount channels saturated and landfill increasingly scrutinized, excess inventory is no longer just a balance sheet problem. It is becoming a regulatory and reputational liability. At the same time, extended producer responsibility frameworks advancing in the EU and several US states

In the world of fast fashion, speed is everything—but accessories move even faster. With 65 stores across Israel and new items introduced at least twice a week, Israeli retail chain TOPTEN is pushing the limits of agility and efficiency. Behind the scenes, smart inventory technology is helping the company deliver fresh styles to customers while keeping stock lean. We sat down with Shay Haham, TOPTEN CEO, and Yogev Madmon, the chain’s logistics director, to learn how the brand

Global fashion retailer ASOS  has selected Swedish traceability platform TrusTrace  to overhaul how it manages supply chain compliance and risk, a move that underscores the mounting regulatory and reputational pressures facing apparel brands worldwide. Governments on both sides of the Atlantic are tightening rules around forced labor, environmental reporting, and product claims. The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) will require companies to map th

A growing number of forward-thinking businesses in e-commerce and other fields are enjoying the economy, productivity, flexibility and sustainability of ‘right-size’ automated packing lines, whereby every consignment, be it a single item or an assortment of goods, is given a bespoke box of just the right size to hold the goods without unnecessary voids and the need for void fill. But one sector in particular stands to benefit the most from this advanced, highly-flexible techn

In the latest episode of the Resilient Supply Chain Podcast, host Tom Raftery is joined by Lily Hogan, Senior Product Manager at 3E, to discuss how unreliable supplier data undermines supply chain resilience. The episode examines why resilience strategies often fail in execution due to incomplete, inconsistent, or low quality supplier data. The full episode is available at www.resilientsupplychainpodcast.com Raftery highlights a concerning statistic: more than 50% of complian

Rising fuel prices, persistent driver shortages, and tightening labor regulations are forcing last-mile operators to rethink how delivery networks are structured. Across the US and Europe, logistics teams are confronting a simple constraint: scaling delivery capacity through additional labor and vehicles is no longer economically viable. Transportation remains one of the largest cost centers for retailers, food distributors, and parcel carriers. With diesel prices volatile an