David Shillingford

Special Guest Blog Post written by Karin Bursa, Supply Chain Industry Advisor and Supply Chain Now Host   Here is a diagnostic question I use with supply chain leaders: when disruption hits, do your teams spend most of their time debating the data, debating the scenarios, debating the plan, or debating the decision? Or all of the above? Seriously though, in 2026, that distinction matters. Network shifts driven by tariffs, geopolitics, cost pressure, and sustainability are accelerating. Gartner’s 2025 U.S. Trade and Immigration Policy Survey indicate 77% of respondents selected network changes among their top actions in response to tariff impacts. [2] If the physical network is moving, the digital planning platform must move even faster. The environment is forcing decisions to be made faster, more frequently, and with more variables than ever before. Gartner says supply chain decisions are becoming 71% more complex, happening 52% more frequently, and need to be made 57% faster. That triple constraint cannot be accomplished with cadence-based batch planning cycles as a default operating model. This is why I am focused on a single, practical outcome for supply chain teams: accelerating decision velocity. The ability to move from data to insights to actions faster…

Retail margins rarely disappear all at once, they leak out quietly across transportation, inventory, and returns. As ecommerce grows and return rates rise, retailers are facing higher logistics costs, volatile freight spend, and inventory positioned in the wrong places at the wrong time. Many organizations still operate without true end-to-end visibility, making it difficult to control cost or respond proactively to disruption. This playbook shows how leading retailers are addressing total cost of ownership (TCO) as a strategic priority, not just an operational metric. Instead of massive transformation programs, it outlines practical actions that can uncover measurable savings in as little as 90 days through better purchase order control, improved visibility, and smarter network design. Why download this white paper: Identify where margin is leaking across transportation, inventory, and returns Understand the three most effective levers for reducing supply chain cost Learn how to reduce premium freight, improve utilization, and avoid markdowns See how real-time visibility improves planning and service levels Get a step-by-step 90-day pilot roadmap to validate savings Build a finance-ready business case for scalable TCO improvement By the end, you’ll have a clear framework to evaluate your current operations, prioritize improvements, and turn hidden supply chain inefficiencies…