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Shipping Capacity Management: The Outlook for 2022 Peak

| Mike O'Brien

While most markers indicate more than sufficient carrier capacity to meet Q4 demand, that doesn’t mean all is smooth sailing, with chokepoints and a possible dockworker strike. This operations special report on capacity management from Multichannel Merchant taps experts and retailers on the Q4 outlook and what to expect.

The CHIPS Act and Retail

| Mike O'Brien

The CHIPS act, which passed Congress in late July, sets aside $52B in subsidies and tax credits to boost domestic production and R&D, helping reduce our dependence on China’s semiconductor dominance. In this MCM CommerceChat podcast, Spencer Shute, a consultant at Proxima, helps us understand the importance for retail.

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Körber Supply Chain Acquiring Assets of enVista

| Mike O'Brien

Körber Supply Chain, a unit of Hamburg-based Körber AG, is acquiring order management and freight audit assets from enVista, with the KKR-backed joint venture looking to more than double to $1 billion in revenue in 5-6 years as it pursues larger firms like Manhattan Associates and Blue Yonder.

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Dave Clark to Co-Lead Flexport After Amazon

| Mike O'Brien

Dave Clark, the 23-year Amazon veteran who unexpectedly stepped down last week after helping create its vaunted logistics operations, which became grossly overbuilt in the pandemic era, has been tapped as co-CEO of hot supply chain and freight forwarding company Flexport. Photo credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

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China Import Law Will Impact Supply Chain, Inflation

| Mike O'Brien

A China import law taking effect June 21 that bans imports from the Xinjiang region due to allegations of widespread forced labor will worsen supply chain and inventory issues just as conditions are easing somewhat, while exacerbating rampant inflation, according to a report in Bloomberg.

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The Real Supply Chain New Normal

| JP Wiggins

There’s just no going back to the “before” supply chain. Future generations will likely forget the lessons of the early 2020’s and make the same mistakes, but for now we’ll contend with the “new normal.” This dynamic state of affairs is going be with us for the foreseeable future. Here are 5 trends to look out for as we move forward.

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Using a 3PL to Mitigate Shipping Disruptions

| David Branson

Consumer purchasing power is only a click away, bringing significant pressure on ecommerce sellers. Shippers need innovative ways to efficiently track and transport orders. To do so, they should consider a third-party logistics (3PL) provider to gain more flexible freight options, increasing operational efficiency and visibility.

New GS1 RFID Guideline, Explained

| Mike O'Brien

Standards body GS1 US has published a new guideline retailers can use to leverage its Electronic Product Code (EPC)-based RFID technology. It supports claims compliance and is designed to improve inventory accuracy and supply chain visibility. Jonathan Gregory, director of community engagement with GS1 US, explains.

5 Ways to Beat the Supply Chain Crisis

| Mark Hook

You may have heard there’s a global supply chain crisis. The good news is that retailers that proactively take the right steps to deal with it can not only survive but thrive. After all, when supply chain management is effective, it is proven to lower a company’s overall costs and boost profitability. Here are 5 ways brands can beat the crisis.