Some of the biggest names in retail"”such as Walmart, Macy's, Marks & Spencer, Dillard's, JCP and others"”have implemented large-scale item-level RFID initiatives, in full production rollout. These have big implications for suppliers.

For many years, people have been talking about the rising importance of multi-channel and using the term omni-channel to describe the complete and seamless integration of the customer's experience across multiple channels.

Four years ago, Caribou coffee's supply chain was managed with spreadsheets. Their only method of gauging demand was the order-fill numbers of product leaving the warehouse - basic replenishment. The team knew they were missing a big opportunity - accurate visibility to drive a more efficient operation, right-size inventory, improved customer service, as well as the expansion of product sales. The supply chain team also knew they were faced with a lot of risk. Could they respond to demand variability?

In 2012, more and more analysts and pundits pronounced the return of manufacturing onshore to the U.S. or near-shore to Mexico (or the Caribbean). Is this real and lasting, what is causing it, and what does it mean for supply chain managers?

Each year ChainLink Research conducts a survey to provide insights into the business challenges companies are confronting and what methods they may turn to-both human capital and technology-to address those challenges.