Companies are heavily scrutinizing transportation costs in East Coast and West Coast seaports-and inland cities with strong transportation links-locating facilities in markets best able to serve established and emerging "megapolitan" areas in a quick, cost-effective manner, according to a report from CBRE Group entitled Transportation Cost Equivalence Line: East Coast vs. West Coast Ports.

If a retailer is out of stock of an item just twice, 40 percent of parents looking for back-to-school items say they will avoid shopping at that retailer again.

Challenge: A large wireless infrastructure solutions experienced a loss of operations visibility and control after outsourcing its manufacturing. Disconnected supply and demand plans and an antiquated forecasting tool left forecast elements out of sync by two or three months in some cases.

Challenge: A U.S. retailer of outdoor recreational equipment needed a solution for managing its Canadian ecommerce operations. Specifically, the retailer wanted an IT solution to ensure compliance with all customs and brokerage fees, along with all other billing and processing services. The retailer also needed a guaranteed delivery solution for Canadian customers.

Challenge: A U.S. guitar manufacturer faced challenges in reaching its Canadian customers. Both U.S. and Canadian regulators had concerns with the guitars' components. The company was assessed 'per product' inspection fees, and its Canadian customers were required to pay import duties and complete customs documentation. And, a high level of damage was sustained during transit.

Challenge: Simultaneously balancing inventory, meeting customer service needs, and maximizing production efficiencies is a challenge for any company. For a leading national private label juice and drinks producer this combination adds a few unique demand planning complexities.

Challenge: An innovative sports garments, footwear and accessories manufacturer must manage a complex global supply chain with a dynamic product portfolio produced in nearly 20 countries. The company's exponential growth and manual processes led to challenges balancing inventory with financial goals and service levels.

Challenge: A global retailer specializing in fashion, home living, and leisure products re-launched one of its brands in North America and needed a multi-channel supply chain solution. It required a 3rd party logistics provider who could support rapid growth and meet high customer expectations. The retailer chose Kenco.

Challenge: A global food and beverage company, after enviable international growth, realized that their global trade product classification processes required a transformation. Their US, Canada, and European teams operated independently and relied on inefficient, manually intensive processes and duplicate efforts. The company also needed to create a more efficient NAFTA eligibility identification process.