Supply Chain Research

Supply Chain Edge: Waiting for the big election, dealing with a big strike, putting out fires

October 4, 2024

– In new research this week, we outline our expectations for supply chain issues to watch in the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. The recovery in supply chain activity may have been the result of pre-loading for potential disruptions. Logistics networks need to contend with strikes and heavy w... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Supply chain attack, de minimis shrinks, tariffs settled

September 20, 2024

– Technology supply chains face a new round of challenges. In new research this week, we dig into the Hezbollah pager attack and tragic floods in Vietnam. The latter come just as the consumer electronic sectors is running at full pelt for the peak device delivery season — we look at shifts in ... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Two faces of AI, huge Halloween, 3D limits

September 13, 2024

– In new research this week, we look at two facets of the AI revolution. The push to include AI in consumer goods is driving increasing supply chain complexity in consumer devices for Apple Inc. and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. The uses of generative AI in procurement appear limited, but AI mo... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Back to school sprint, CS3D risks, Pixel’s focus

August 16, 2024

• In new research this week we dig into the prospects for the back-to-school season and expect retail sales to grow 3.6% year over year in real terms, supported by a 7% jump in imports of kids apparel and a 15% surge in school supplies.
• Elsewhere in consumer goods: The Home Depot Inc. ... Read more →

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Supply Chain Edge: Early peak evidence, AI chip delay, Chile’s woes

August 9, 2024

– US seaborne imports of containerized freight surged 14% year over year in July, with sequential growth of 8% in consumer durables suggesting peak season is arriving early. Further evidence includes a pull-forward of Prime Day goods and comments from container line A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S. It... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Building on the ‘70s, delaying tariffs, shipping slips

August 1, 2024

– In new research this week, we look at Malaysia’s future as a reshoring center, which has been building since the 1970s but now faces stiff competition as labor gets more expensive and a new round of electronics investments is needed.
– Mainland China’s “Third Plenum” meeting brings a n... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Olympian sourcing, Mexican metals, expensive memories

July 26, 2024

– The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games present an opportunity to revive the declining sports equipment and apparel supply chains, which saw US imports drop from US$20.97 billion in 2021 to US$14.85 billion in 2023.
– Elsewhere in consumer goods, there are protests in Bangladesh an... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Surge protection, managed de minimis, forestry failings

July 19, 2024

• In new research this week, we investigate the evidence for early shipping in US supply chains ahead of the peak season amid slow retail sales. We also take a data-driven deep dive into bicycle supply chains, which are coming out of a supply chain bullwhip. Elsewhere in the consumer goods sec... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Three speed semiconductors, auto tariffs bite, hurricane hazards hit

July 12, 2024

– The semiconductor sector is seeing varied recovery rates, with AI applications and Nvidia driving growth, but supply chain challenges persist with sector revenue growth expected to fall to 24% in Q1 2024 from 44% in the same period the prior year. Consumer devices have mixed prospects, with ... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Corporate focus on supply chains wanes, tariff details matter

June 7, 2024

• Consumer goods supply chains no longer face the demand pressures that they used to, leading to a reduced focus on supply chain issues by company managers and investors. Performance is markedly different across sectors, with footwear expanding and home appliances contracting. Shipments of “Sq... Read more →

Supply Chain Research

Showing research about Cons. Discr. - Apparel