Lured by the promise of bigger sales, better access to consumers, and even their ultimate survival, wholesale brands are seeking new strategies to circumvent retailers and reach their customers directly. Over the past few months, some prominent apparel and footwear brands have announced plans to expand their own retail stores in the United States and other major global markets. 

Customs–Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a voluntary, joint government-business initiative to help add to supply chain visibility and increase border security. Although generally C-TPAT focuses on imports into the United States, it has more recently opened up to U.S. exporters since they are too exposed to considerable risk. In order to accommodate the requests and expanding parameters, a framework for the C-TPAT program and requirements has been deployed.

As globalization continues to cause the world to "shrink" and eCommerce rapidly spreads into every retail category, the requirements to source and manage a global supply chain also increase. Whether as part of its strategic direction or in order to keep up with the competition, there are few companies that do not have some type of eCommerce presence.

Last month, Amber Road set up shop in the bustling exhibit hall and attended some great retail presentations at the RILA Retail Supply Chain Conference in Dallas, TX. At this year’s conference, retail supply chain professionals from all over the country came together to exchange ideas and discuss what the future holds for this industry.

Today, securing the global supply chain is integral to preserving both the lives of people around the world, and maintaining the stability of the global economy. For that reason, solutions and processes need to become part of the supply chain organization in order to protect against disruption.

Amber Road is excited to announce the extension of the United States Fashion Industry Association’s (USFIA) Innovation Partnership into 2017. The USFIA and Amber Road partnership will help members understand the 21^st century’s challenges to global trade management, as well as develop innovative ways to educate and train the industry and grow future global leaders.

In today’s competitive sourcing environment, collaborative and strong supplier relationships deliver substantial benefits for manufacturers and suppliers alike. Supplier relationship management (SRM) initiatives are on the rise, and companies who successfully implement these programs can realize a significant return on their technology investments.

Supply Chain Digest, the industry’s premier supply chain management and logistics publication, released a benchmark report based on the results of a recent industry survey on global sourcing and trade management practices, processes and technologies. They found the majority (68 percent) of respondents felt they had underinvested in technology necessary to meet the challenges of modern supply chains. 

The survey of 200 supply chain and sourcing professionals from a wide range of companies provides a number of interesting insights into global sourcing practices and technology as well as broader GTM issues.  Most notably, the research uncovered that challenges faced by supply chain executives today are driving the dawn of a new era of globalization, known as “Globalization 3.0.” Companies that excel in global execution – strategies, processes, agility and visibility – have a substantial competitive advantage over rivals.

Supply chains, and the tools for managing them, have come a long way over the course of 100 years, with an increased focus on improving the relatively simple, but very labor-intensive processes. Today, supply chain engineering through technology and processes allows manufacturers to manage extraordinarily complex international networks.

Risk is a fact of life for any supply chain. Did you know 90% of firms do not quantify risk when outsourcing production? There are a variety of risks that companies with global supply chains must be aware of to successfully manage their supply chain.