Issue 7: Supply Chain Scoop

Intro?

Are we on the cusp of another period of major disruption? From emerging markets in Bangladesh , India and Vietnam , to Germany and the US East Coast , extreme weather and labour conflicts are squeezing supply chains and creating planning headaches. This all comes at a time when companies are focusing hard on their overheads and trying to cut costs , especially in the e-commerce sector . This week we dive into building tensions in supply chains and the delicate balance between preparing for disruption and being lean.???

Newsletter Content??

Article of The Week??

Surge of imports to US continues as possible East Coast port strike looms ?

Imports of U.S. container cargo in August jumped 12.9% from a year ago as a summer volume surge delayed cargo at major ports and anxiety builds over a threatened longshore worker strike on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 1, trade data provider Descartes Systems Group ( DSG.TO ) said on Tuesday.?

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Top 5 'Need to Know'??

1.Factories in Vietnam's export hubs face weeks of disruption after typhoon ?

Typhoon Yagi caused severe damage to many factories and flooded warehouses in northern Vietnam's export-oriented industrial hubs, with some shuttered plants expected to need weeks to return to full operation, executives said.?

2. German union ready to strike as industrial sector pay talks start ?

Germany's largest industrial union, IG Metall, demanded a pay rise of 7% for almost four million workers in the country's auto, electrical and metal industries as collective bargaining talks got under way on Wednesday.?

3. Boeing strike threat looms as workers vote on contract ?

Boeing's (BA.N) U.S. West Coast factory workers started voting on Thursday on a much-criticized new contract and a possible strike, piling pressure on the plane maker as it wrestles with chronic production delays and mounting debt.?

4. Bangladesh garment industry short on cotton as floods worsen protest backlog ?

Garment factories in Bangladesh, one of the world's biggest clothing production hubs, are struggling to complete orders on time as flooding disrupts their cotton supplies - exacerbating a backlog caused by recent political turmoil.?

5. What to know about Samsung’s India operations as workers strike ?

The Indian operations of South Korean giant Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) were disrupted for a second day on Tuesday after hundreds of workers at its consumer electronics plant in southern India boycotted work to demand higher wages.?

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Something to Watch??

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From Us??

Delivery and return costs rise dramatically as concerns for cross-border e-commerce? ?

The cost to get cross-border goods to customers and handle their returns are now the top challenges for e-commerce businesses reveals Avalara and Reuters Events, Supply Chain industry survey?

Cost concerns dominate distribution sector strategy says survey ??

Driving down operational costs the top investment driver, as 86% of executives say controlling overheads a key challenge?

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Webinars and Reports??

Webinar: Strategies to Deliver a High-Performance Supply Chain

A deep dive into visibility, digitalisation, sustainability, and resilience

• Discover the key differentiators of high-performing supply chains and learn from their unique strategies, including how to leverage visibility and implement digital transformation.
• Understand why successful companies thrive amid disruptions, and uncover the specific action points they take to remain resilient and optimistic through their approach to sustainability initiatives and strategic partnerships.
• Delve into the mindset, idea-sharing, and strategic decisions that set top-performing supply chains apart, and learn how they maintain their competitive edge and achieve long-term success.

Industry Report: Global E-Commerce Market Trends Report 2024/2025?

The report raised some issues that should concern eCommerce leaders:

• A worrying 60% of consumers are abandoning carts due to hidden costs
• However, 58% of retailers told us that showing the full cost at the browsing stage is not a priority for them

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Meet the Experts at Our Events??

Supply Chain Europe 2024 (October 28-29, Amsterdam)??

Download the brochure today

Have questions about Reuters Events content or conferences? Connect with the team; we're happy to help.??

Abigail Blackwell - Global Project Director??

Hew Rous-Eyre - Global Project Director??

Paddy Le Count - Head of Supply Chain??

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Thank you for reading the latest issue of Supply Chain Scoop. Don't forget to leave a comment to join the conversation!??

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