Furniture retailers forge new supply chain practices as backlogs, risks prevail
India, Turkey and Mexico are among the new sourcing destinations emerging as companies seek to mitigate risks. Last year — amid port backups, container shortages and other supply chain nightmares — retailers and brands turned to the skies, sending demand for air cargo in 2021 up nearly 7% compared to 2019 by one estimate. Shipping shirts and…
How to fix broken supply chains
Supply chain challenges are real, but they’re not new, says global trade expert Dustin Burke. In the face of disruptions ranging from natural disasters to pandemics, how do we make sure supply chains can keep up? Burke offers a combination of solutions — from companies sharing risk to better forecasting disruptions — to help create…
With Shanghai at a standstill, supply chain problems are compounding
Concerns are rising that Shanghai’s lockdown is only the beginning of months-long challenges. After just over two years of a largely successful “zero-COVID” policy, China is facing its biggest test to date in the metropolis of Shanghai and the supply chain headaches that come with a massive lockdown. On Monday morning, the city reported a…
China backlog, rising dwell times pose threat to Port of Los Angeles rebound
The issues loom as cargo volumes are rising at the port, with more imports on the way. LOS ANGELES — Rail issues, rising container dwell times and a backlog of ships in China pose threats to continuing supply chain improvements at the Port of Los Angeles. Still, port and union leaders expressed confidence on Tuesday…
Retail Import Growth Levels Out But Volume Remains High
The US is likely past the worst of its supply-chain nightmare. But recent improvements haven’t been enough to cool inflation, and the latest data suggests prices will keep soaring for the rest of the year. The country’s inflation problem is a two-pronged issue. The shipping delays and port bottlenecks of late 2021 left businesses with…
Global Supply Chains Near Make-or-Break Point for Easing in 2022
Supply Lines is a daily newsletter that tracks Covid-19’s impact on trade. Sign up here, and subscribe to our Covid-19 podcast for the latest news and analysis on the pandemic. Citigroup, New York Fed economists zoom in on supply headwinds Gauges should help economists better measure speed of recovery Global supply chains are nearing a…