U.S. retail imports expected to lag into the fall despite short-term gains, notes Port Tracker report
United States-bound retail container import volumes are expected to continue to trail 2025 levels in to the early fall, despite projected May and June gains, according to the new edition of the Global Port Tracker report, which was issued earlier today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and maritime consultancy Hackett Associates. The ports surveyed […]
Gartner states that AI-Driven hiring freeze could backfire by 2030
Many supply chain companies are slowing or pausing entry-level hiring as they try to figure out how artificial intelligence will change the workforce. But Gartner says that strategy could create bigger problems over the next few years. Speaking at the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo in Orlando, analysts warned that companies pulling back on early-career hiring today could create talent shortages later. […]
U.S. industrial leasing surges in Q1 as supply chain shifts drive demand, reports JLL
United States industrial leasing activity saw a strong beginning to 2026, according to the “Q1 2026 U.S. Industrial Market Dynamics Report,” which was recently issued by Chicago-based industrial real estate firm JLL. One of the primary takeaways of the report highlighted how first-quarter industrial leasing activity saw a 17.8% annual increase, with 145 million square […]
National diesel average sees sharp increase, for week of May 4, reports EIA
Following three weeks of declines, the national average price per gallon of diesel gasoline saw a significant increase, for the week of May 4, according to data issued by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA). The national average price per gallon, at $5.640, rose 28.9 cents sequentially (its largest sequential increase since the […]
Shippers expand 3PL use amid tech gains and market shifts, notes new Armstrong & Associates report
A new report recently issued by Brookfield, Wisc.-based supply chain consultancy Armstrong & Associates takes a deep dive into the rationale behind why large shippers leverage 3PLs (third-party logistics) to outsource logistics operations. The report, entitled “Convergence: Trends in 3PL/Customer Relationships—2026,” is based on the company’s proprietary database, comprised of more than 8,404 3PL customer […]
Manufacturing expands for fourth straight month in April as prices surge and hiring lags
Manufacturing output increased in April, marking the fourth consecutive month of annual growth, according to the latest edition of the Manufacturing Report on Business issued today by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The report’s benchmark reading, the PMI, came in at 52.7 in April (a reading above 50 indicates growth), matching March’s level and […]
The State of AMRs: From early adoption to scaled deployment
Date/Time Thursday, May 14, 2026 2:00PM Moderator Michael Levans Group Editorial Director, Supply Chain Group, Peerless Media Panelists Doug Schuhart, Global Intralogistics Industry Manager, Beckhoff Automation; David Scheffrahn, Vice President of Sales, Ocado Intelligent Automation; Iñaki Fernández, Chief Technology Officer, Mecalux and Alan McDonald, Vice President of Industry Solutions, Locus Robotics Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) […]
Industry coalition urges DOJ to act as cargo theft and organized retail crime surge nationwide
With cargo theft and organized retail crime (ORC) continuing to escalate, a group of freight, retail, and manufacturing stakeholders has called on Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to take action through congressionally mandated measures. In a letter to Blanche, the group of 24 stakeholders—including the American Trucking Associations, […]
National diesel average falls for third consecutive week, reports EIA
The national average price per gallon of diesel gasoline declined for the third straight week, according to data issued by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA). Falling 5.2 cents, the national average, for the week of April 27, came in at $5.351, following a 20.5-cent decline, to $5.403, for the week of April […]
White House announces 90-day extension of Jones Act waiver to start in May
Late last week, the White House announced it has issued a 90-day extension to the Jones Act waiver, which was initially put in place for 60 days on March 18. The new extension will commence at 12 AM ET on May 18. The Jones Act is a law that regulates shipping between United States ports […]