outsourcing

Why Kroger Is Pivoting Its Supply Chain Strategy

A few years ago, Kroger announced plans to leverage Customer Fulfillment Centers (CFCs) to expand its reach into new markets. CFCs would allow Kroger to enter new markets, delivering directly to customers using Kroger delivery vans, without building brick-and-mortar stores.

Kroger has opened 8 CFCs in total, with plans for three others in the works.

However, Kroger recently announced that it is closing three locations. The closures will happen in January 2026. One of the planned CFCs […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2026-01-15T07:59:16+00:00January 14, 2026|Tags: automation, delivery, direct-to-consumer, facility location, fulfillment centers, last mile delivery, online order fulfillment, operations strategy, outsourcing, technology|

Supply Chain Constraints for Christmas Trees

Seasonal décor, including artificial Christmas trees, will be in shorter supply and command a higher price this holiday season.

Longer term, U.S.-based National Tree Company, a key importer of artificial trees, is shifting sources of supply to mitigate not only tariff concerns but also to better manage supply chain risk in general.

Video Spotlight:

Why Americans could face an artificial Christmas tree shortage (Oct 8, 2025, CNBC Television)
Bah humbug: Tariffs on Chinese goods will […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2025-11-21T09:06:12+00:00November 21, 2025|Tags: inventory management, location planning, nearshoring, outsourcing, supply chain risks, tariffs|

Merck Plans to Onshore Production in Virginia

Merck & Co., a US-based pharmaceutical company known outside the US as MSD, is investing $3 billion to build a 400,000 square-foot pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Elkton, Virginia.

The facility will be Merck’s center of excellence for small-molecule manufacturing and testing. The investment is a response to the call to bring back manufacturing operations and R&D domestically.

Incentives ranging from grants to economic development partnerships to talent accelerator programs also play a role in Merck’s expansion decision.

Video Spotlight:

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2025-11-17T03:16:35+00:00November 16, 2025|Tags: capacity management, capacity planning, global supply chain management, globalization, onshoring, outsourcing, strategic capacity management|

Enhanced Partnership Between Love’s and Core-Mark

Love’s Travel Stops, the nation’s leading travel stop network, is family-owned and operated and employs more than 40,000 people. Love’s provides professional truck drivers and motorists with 24-hour access to clean and safe places to purchase gasoline, diesel fuel, fresh coffee, restaurant offerings and more.

Love’s has expanded its supplier agreement with Core-Mark to be the primary convenience food provider for all 664 Love’s sites in 40 states. Core-Mark has previously supplied about 100 of the retailer’s travel centers.

Core-Mark’s national presence includes […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2025-10-17T07:11:07+00:00October 17, 2025|Tags: customer service, outsourcing, quick serve restaurants, sourcing, supplier relationship|