With $500bn in global sales, dairy was the biggest, fastest revenue-generating category in the food and beverage sector in 2015. But in value creation, the industry lags. Its inherent supply chain, market, and regulatory complexities, along with intense competitive pressures, mean there is no simple formula for profitable growth, according to a report from The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

What to do with unprofitable stock remains a challenge for distributors. They don't want to just give it away - or do they? Well, compared to the alternatives, donating stock might be the most profitable way to handle unsold items.

Reducing credit and debit card fraud by implementing EMV chip card acceptance has become retailers' top payment issue in 2016, but retailers are also busy with new data security enhancements such as point-to-point encryption and tokenization to better protect payment card data.

Within complex global supply chains, there are more opportunities than ever before for disruption, especially with regard to the health of key suppliers. Companies must find ways to keep tabs on those crucial partners, with an eye toward heading off disaster.

Club W, now known as Winc, was launched to provide online consumers with a curated source of fine wines on a subscription basis. But rapid growth was challenging the company's ability to fill orders accurately and efficiently.

A broker of fresh fruits and vegetables was delighted when a 3PL took over everything having to do with real-time location and arrival of trucks loaded with the produce.

If our annual 100 Great Supply Chain Partners is about anything, it's about sending a giant thank-you note, in a very public way, to a business partner that has demonstrably helped your business. Whether the partner you single out for recognition is involved in logistics and transportation, technology or in some other aspect of supply chain management, their efforts helped you immeasurably while you concentrated on your core business. And they deserve a shout-out and a public salute.

Technavio analysts forecast the global research and development spending in the robotics industry to grow at a CAGR of more than 17 percent from 2016 to 2020.