Product Sourcing
July 13, 2026 at 5:12 pm
Once upon a time, retail sourcing was a fairly predictable craft. Merchants ventured into familiar manufacturing markets, negotiated favorable costs, managed lean inventories, and relied on well-established trade routes to keep products flowing smoothly from factory floors to store shelves. The rules were clear, the maps were reliable, and surprises were relatively rare. Those days…
July 8, 2026 at 5:52 pm
U.S. container imports surged 8.2 percent in June from the year earlier, supply chain technology provider Descartes Systems Group said on Wednesday, after buyers rushed in goods to avoid potential new tariffs and higher transportation costs tied to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. U.S. seaports handled 2,400,627 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month. For the…
July 8, 2026 at 4:03 pm
The launch of Amazon Supply Chain Services reflects a broader shift in retail logistics. More retailers are moving away from fragmented arrangements and toward shared platforms that coordinate freight, warehousing, fulfilment and delivery at scale. For retailers, the platform approach is attractive because it can simplify fragmented fulfilment networks, meet rising delivery expectations, and support…
April 14, 2026 at 5:18 pm
If there's anything consistent when it comes to global trade at present, it is its constant inconsistencies. Global sourcing is entering a new phase defined less by cost optimization and more by resilience and flexibility. So far this year, retailers and brands are navigating a complex environment shaped by tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and shifting trade…
February 25, 2026 at 9:59 am
U.S. retailers now face a heightened antislavery risk at the border. Picture a routine day at a busy port. An inspector opens a box of imported snacks and notices a small logo. The shipment stops immediately. U.S. Customs and Border Protection detains the goods and flags related shipments at other ports. Inside the company, teams…
February 23, 2026 at 7:36 am
The U.S. Supreme Court said President Trump's tariffs policies imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPPA) are unconstitutional, dealing a major blow to the president's signature economic policy. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the 6-3 opinion. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. Writing for the court's majority, Chief Justice John…
February 9, 2026 at 11:51 am
For years, fashion retailers have relied on global sourcing models built for speed, efficiency and cost control. However, today's operating reality looks very different. Tariffs have become an unpredictable constant, layered on top of regulatory shifts, supply chain disruptions, and growing transparency expectations. As a result, diversification is one of the most important strategies for…
January 20, 2026 at 5:41 pm
lululemon athletica said on Tuesday that it has paused online sales of a new workout line called "Get Low" after user complaints. Users on Reddit complained that the leggings from the new launch are "see-through" while bending or squatting. The new product line on lululemon's site seemed to be inaccessible and showed "something went wrong"…
December 8, 2025 at 5:15 pm
IKEA plans to source more products from factories in the United States, the Swedish furniture group's top supply chain executive told Reuters. The announcement comes as President Donald Trump's tariffs drive up the cost of importing bookcases, mattresses and sofas. This marks a significant shift for IKEA after the share of the company's U.S.-made products…
October 8, 2025 at 9:07 am
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiative coming out of the European Union is already reshaping how brands think about product data. While its initial enforcement will be in the EU, U.S. brands shouldn't assume they can wait on the sidelines. If you sell into Europe (or plan to) you’ll be impacted. Even if you don’t,…
