An unusual partnership between a major industry trade group and private retailer seeks to create a system for benchmarking supply-chain performance by e-commerce companies.
Companies seek to burnish their brands in a variety of creative ways. In the case of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), that desire extends deep into the supply chain.
One of the most important things a pet owner has to keep track of is what his or her's four-legged best friend is eating - and how much. But it's all too easy to get to the bottom of a 24-pound bag of kibble without realizing it and then have to run out to a bodega to grab the first bag of dog food one can find to keep the pooch of the house fed and happy.
The success of logistics service providers (LSPs) rises and falls with the ever-shifting strategies of the manufacturers, suppliers and retailers that make up their customer base. Today, outsourcing is on the ascent. But can LSPs keep supporting the demand?