Strategy & Planning

Strategy & Planning

Gartner Launches First Supply Chain Strategy Consulting Magic Quadrant

Gartner launched its first Magic Quadrant for Supply Chain Strategy, Planning and Operations Consulting on July 28, 2026, naming Accenture, Deloitte, PwC, and McKinsey as Leaders. Nine firms participated in the evaluation, assessed on completeness of vision and ability to execute. The report arrives amid rising global spending — $12.4 billion in 2025 — on supply chain consulting, driven by resilience demands and reshoring trends that balanced offshoring in 2014 and 2015 after decades of net job losses. Practitioners stress execution discipline, documentation, and KPI-driven outcomes.

2026-07-29

Strategy & Planning

India jumps to Swiss watchmakers’ top 15 amid 37% import surge

India has surged to become the 15th-largest export market for Swiss watches, importing 200,000 units in H1 2026 — up 37% year-on-year — with import value reaching 168.7 million Swiss francs (₹1,991 crore). Driven by first-time luxury buyers, premium retail expansion, and the India–Switzerland Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) effective since October 2025, the market saw watches above ₹10 lakh grow fastest. Tissot now ranks India as its third-largest global market; Rado calls it its largest by value. Ethos passed 100 stores in FY26 and aims to double its footprint in 3–4 years.

2026-07-28

Strategy & Planning

37th State of Logistics Report Finds Resilience Critical Amid $4.2B Tariff Shifts

The 37th State of Logistics report, released July 1, 2026, identifies resilience, adaptability, and digital intelligence as essential competitive advantages amid permanent supply chain disruption. It cites $4.2 billion in new tariff-related costs, forced labor tariffs on 60 nations, a 50% U.S. tariff hike on Canadian goods, and finds only 13% of freight forwarders rate decision-making as excellent. J.B. Hunt launched Overroute after 12 months of development, and CN backed the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger for expanded access.

2026-07-27

Strategy & Planning

U.S. Tariffs Hit 60 Trading Partners Amid Supply Chain Redesign

The Trump Administration has imposed new tariffs on 60 trading partners over forced labor concerns — ending the era of treating tariffs as temporary disruptions. According to Global Trade Magazine, supply chains must now be designed for persistent volatility, not cost minimization alone. Foreign-Trade Zones are gaining traction, with 37% more mid-sized manufacturers using them since 2024. Shipment bookings now require eight weeks’ lead time, freight rates remain near record highs, and USMCA tensions with Canada add cross-border risk. Practitioners face urgent documentation upgrades to meet compliance demands.

2026-07-26

Strategy & Planning

Cencora invests $1B to scale cold chain, specialty drug distribution

Cencora is investing $1 billion in supply chain infrastructure to handle a pipeline where 70% of new drugs are specialty therapies — more than half requiring cold chain logistics at 2–8°C. Senior VP Brent Wilhelm describes a dual-tier inventory model: local hubs for daily fulfillment and a centralized safety stock site for dynamic national redistribution. Reimbursement uncertainty, COVID-19 aftershocks, and geopolitical disruptions are accelerating adoption of AI-driven demand forecasting and real-time data sharing. The initiative targets measurable gains, including a 37% reduction in cold chain deviations and 2.4-day faster prescription fills.

2026-07-25

Strategy & Planning

FBI Busts $1B Cargo Theft Network Targeting U.S. Trucking

U.S. authorities have dismantled a $1 billion cargo theft network targeting the domestic trucking industry, with operations spanning at least 12 states since 2024. The FBI identified 75 CDL training schools under federal fraud investigation and uncovered four illicit logistics hubs in Memphis, Chicago, and Southern California. Incidents rose 28% year-over-year in early 2026, prompting insurers to raise premiums by up to 35% in high-risk counties. New compliance mandates—including mandatory telematics and geo-fencing—take effect in July 2026, while FreightWaves hosts a Brokerage Compliance Symposium in Chattanooga on October 26, 2026.

2026-07-22

Strategy & Planning

Levi’s targets unified ERP rollout by mid-2027

Levi Strauss & Co. is implementing a unified, cloud-based ERP system across all global operations, targeting completion by mid-2027. The rollout began in North America in 2023, expanded to Asia and the Beyond Yoga brand in July 2026, and now continues in Europe (Q1 2027) and Latin America (Q2 2027). Executives cite improved AI readiness, faster decision-making, and quantifiable gains — including 15% faster month-end closes and 22% shorter purchase order cycles. The 10-year initiative reflects broader apparel-sector ERP modernization trends.

2026-07-20

Strategy & Planning

Prologis inks 67M sq ft leases, lifts full-year FFO to $6.22–$6.30

Prologis reported record Q2 lease signings of 67 million square feet and raised its full-year core FFO forecast to $6.22–$6.30 per share. Revenue hit $2.43 billion (+11% YoY), while net effective rent change reached 36.9%, driving $16 million in incremental NOI. U.S. net absorption totaled 66 million sq ft—the highest since 2022—and development starts are now guided to $4.5–$5.5 billion, reflecting surging logistics demand. The REIT’s portfolio maintained 95.5% occupancy, outperforming the U.S. market’s 7.2% vacancy rate.

2026-07-19

Strategy & Planning

Bangladesh exporters demand compensation after 24-hour port delays

Bangladesh exporters are demanding compensation after severe flooding at Chittagong Port disrupted operations for nearly a week, delaying vessel departures by up to 24 hours and damaging cargo in LCL sheds and private inland depots. Business groups—including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association—filed formal claims with the shipping ministry on 16 July 2026, requesting loss assessment, charge waivers, and infrastructure upgrades. The Chittagong Port Authority refused liability, calling the event an 'act of God', though officials acknowledged planned warehouse renovations. The port handles over 90% of Bangladesh’s seaborne trade.

2026-07-18

Strategy & Planning

NFI shifts from $1 truckload sales to $4B diversified logistics

NFI CEO Sid Brown revealed how the company pivoted from volatile, low-margin truckload brokerage—including a symbolic $1-per-load sale—to a $4 billion diversified logistics provider. The shift prioritized long-term contracts in dedicated fleets, warehousing, and intermodal transport. Now, less than 30% of revenue comes from traditional truckload, while 45% stems from dedicated carriage and 20% from warehousing. The strategy improved driver retention to 82% (vs. industry average of 65%) and enabled sustained investment in safety and automation despite freight market volatility in 2024.

2026-07-17

Strategy & Planning

Walmart deploys AI, digital twins amid 2026 tariff, geopolitical turbulence

Walmart is leveraging AI and digital twin technology to strengthen supply chain resilience amid 2026’s tariff volatility, geopolitical conflict, and extreme weather. Its supply chain team—led by SVP Indira Uppuluri—uses agentic AI to optimize assortment, speed, and cost across 2 million employees. Digital twins simulate disruptions like fires or port closures, enabling rapid response. Sam’s Club launched one-hour delivery in April 2026, heightening pressure on fulfillment. Walmart partners with OpenAI and Google on AI certifications via Squiggly and builds custom tools to manage nodes, transportation, and inventory.

2026-07-15

Strategy & Planning

Supply Chain Leaders Raise Buffer Stocks to Highest Since Jan 2023

Supply chain leaders are raising buffer stocks to their highest level since January 2023 amid ongoing disruption risks. Manufacturer backlogs hit their highest since late 2022, with bottlenecks expected through at least Q3 2026. U.S. input purchasing accelerated to its fastest pace since April 2022, while Japan, China, and Vietnam led Asian purchasing growth. Transportation costs remain elevated — their highest since June 2022 outside of April–May — reflecting persistent geopolitical uncertainty. According to GEP’s John Piatek, companies are stockpiling not due to current cost pressures, but because they lack confidence in global trade stability.

2026-07-14