The future of supply chain is accelerating, and on today’s episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Allison Giddens are unpacking the global trends, disruptions, and economic shifts shaping what’s next for leaders everywhere. From declining imports to AI’s growing pains, this episode cuts through the noise to bring clarity to fast-moving industry headlines. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by OMP! Scott and Allison dive into the biggest stories impacting supply chains today — and the ripple effects businesses need to prepare for. Together, they discuss: 📉 Why U.S. imports from China are falling sharply across electronics, furniture, toys, and more — and how tariffs and cooling consumer demand are reshaping sourcing strategies 🤖 The retail AI reality check: Why 95% of organizations see little ROI from AI investments, and how brittle workflows and lack of contextual intelligence are slowing progress 🔮 Top supply chain trends for 2026, including workforce and talent shortages, AI-driven transformation, and mounting geopolitical challenges 🛒 Thanksgiving meal costs drop 5%, but some items — like sweet potatoes and veggie trays — are bucking the trend with noticeable price increases 🌏 What all these signals mean for manufacturers, retailers, logistics providers, and consumers heading…

The current market volatility is making disruptions commonplace, so how can you anticipate and navigate an ever changing landscape? In this episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott W. Luton and Allison Giddens delve deep into the turbulent waters of supply chain management with industry experts Nathan Crocker and Drew Herpich from Nolan Transportation Group (NTG). Nathan Crocker shares his decade of experience in drayage operations, offering invaluable perspectives on strategic decisions, cost understanding, and the significance of diversification in today’s shipment landscape. Drew Herpich, NTG’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlights the essentials of planning capacity and connections at ports, shedding light on how inflation and capital constraints impact shipping decisions. From discussing how to use historical data to predict shipping timelines to the challenges posed by fluctuating interest rates, this episode covers it all. Listen in and also gain insights into the importance of choosing the right partners to handle unpredictability in supply chain dynamics effectively. Prepare for actionable insights that could profoundly impact how you manage logistics and make strategic decisions.