supply chains Archives

After three turbulent years, supply chains are finally back to normal

by Henry Epp

May 17, 2023

Three years after the start of the pandemic, inventories are down and supply chains are less volatile.

Shipping containers are loaded onto ships in the Port of Los Angeles.

David McNew/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

The price of lumber is way down, but that won't do much to bring down new home prices

by Henry Epp

Apr 7, 2023

Lumber prices have stabilized after unprecedented volatility.

Stacks of lumber are offered for sale at a home center in Chicago, Illinois. Prices for lumber have recently come down from pandemic highs.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Holding excess inventory keeps getting pricier for this manufacturer

by Kai Ryssdal , Livi Burdette and Maria Hollenhorst

Mar 9, 2023

As the global supply chain smooths out its kinks, warehouse costs are top of mind for the Legacy Companies.

For large manufacturers, storing excess inventory means paying growing warehouse fees.

Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Economic Pulse

A 118-year-old department store perseveres in a tenuous economy

by Sabri Ben-Achour and Jarrett Dang

Feb 17, 2023

How a department store more than a century old has survived two pandemics, the Great Depression, and multiple recessions.

Dunham's Department Store in Wellsboro, PA. Ann Dunham Rawson, whose great-grandparents opened Dunham's, said the store is doing well despite wider economic anxiety.

Courtesy Ann Dunham Rawson

LISTEN

EMBED

Business inventories are finally rebounding, a sign of a healing supply chain

by Justin Ho

Feb 8, 2023

In January, business inventories expanded. That's a positive sign about the economy's health.

The January Logistics Managers Index found that businesses expanded their inventories, which is a good sign about the health of the economy.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Economic Pulse

Port of LA campaigns to bring back shippers lost amid labor talks

by David Brancaccio and Jarrett Dang

Jan 11, 2023

Executive Director Gene Seroka says traffic has slowed in part because of labor talks between dockworkers and their employers.

Containers, ships and cranes at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Longshore union members are negotiating a new contract with their employers.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

In the pre-holiday scramble, small businesses see a little bit of supply chain relief

by Sean McHenry

Oct 26, 2022

The owners of a record and comic book shop, a toy store, and a greeting card and outdoor gear business share their experiences.

Shelves of comic books and record bins at Phillip Rollins' new OffBeat location, in Jackson, Mississippi.

Courtesy Phillip Rollins

LISTEN

EMBED

For public good, not for profit.

Donate

Paint is still in short supply in the U.S., and more expensive

by Kai Ryssdal and Anais Amin

Sep 19, 2022

Suppliers are prioritizing core products, says the owner of Ryan Amato Painting, but deep colors and clear coats can be hard to get.

Looking for paint in a deep color? That could be a problem.

Georgijevic via Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

From toys to custom bikes, these small businesses are still seeing shipment delays

by Sean McHenry

Aug 22, 2022

Supply chain problems remain an obstacle as demand picks up.

A shopper on a stroll in San Francisco. Retailers have begun preparing for the holidays, but supplies of some items are uncertain.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

COVID-19

How Shanghai's DIY supply chains helped us live through the long COVID lockdown

by Jennifer Pak

Jun 6, 2022

What happens when supply chains collapse and it's up to district governments, neighbors and friends to fill the gap?

A volunteer clad in safety gear delivers food during the lockdown while Shanghai residents were not allowed to leave their apartments.

Charles Zhang/Marketplace

LISTEN

EMBED

Loading...

Supply chains

After three turbulent years, supply chains are finally back to normal

HTML EMBED:

Subscribe Using:

The price of lumber is way down, but that won't do much to bring down new home prices

HTML EMBED:

Subscribe Using:

Holding excess inventory keeps getting pricier for this manufacturer

HTML EMBED:

Subscribe Using:

A 118-year-old department store perseveres in a tenuous economy

HTML EMBED:

Subscribe Using:

Business inventories are finally rebounding, a sign of a healing supply chain

HTML EMBED:

Subscribe Using:

Port of LA campaigns to bring back shippers lost amid labor talks

HTML EMBED:

Subscribe Using:

In the pre-holiday scramble, small businesses see a little bit of supply chain relief

HTML EMBED:

For public good, not for profit.

Paint is still in short supply in the U.S., and more expensive

HTML EMBED:

Subscribe Using:

From toys to custom bikes, these small businesses are still seeing shipment delays

HTML EMBED:

Subscribe Using:

How Shanghai's DIY supply chains helped us live through the long COVID lockdown

HTML EMBED:

Subscribe Using:

This is NOT a paywall.

HTML EMBED:

Share Now on:

Subscribe Using:

HTML EMBED:

Share Now on:

Subscribe Using:

HTML EMBED:

Share Now on:

Subscribe Using:

HTML EMBED:

Share Now on:

Subscribe Using:

HTML EMBED:

Share Now on:

Subscribe Using:

HTML EMBED:

Share Now on:

Subscribe Using:

HTML EMBED:

Share Now on:

For public good, not for profit.

HTML EMBED:

Share Now on:

Subscribe Using:

HTML EMBED:

Share Now on:

Subscribe Using:

HTML EMBED:

Share Now on:

Subscribe Using:

Subscribe to Marketplace Newsletters:

This is NOT a paywall.