Ever wonder how that shirt you’re planning to buy for next summer is already in production? The apparel industry runs on one of the most complex and fascinating supply chains in the world, operating on a timeline that’s a year or more ahead of the current season.

In this episode, we take a look at the world of fashion logistics. We explore the "boom and bust" cycle of seasonal inventory, where warehouses build up massive stock for months only to ship 70% of it to stores in a single push. We also dive into the unique challenges of designing a distribution center that has to handle bulky winter coats one season and small summer dresses the next. From specialized handling systems like monorails for hanging garments to the modern headache of e-commerce returns and unsold inventory, we break down how your clothes truly get from the factory to your closet. Plus, a fascinating story about how RFID technology, once declared a failure, quietly transformed retail inventory management.

Sections:

(00:13) Introduction: What's Unique About Apparel Supply Chains?(00:49) The Incredibly Long Planning Cycle of Fashion(02:42) How High Fashion Trends Trickle Down to the Mass Market(04:59) The "Boom and Bust" Cycle of Apparel Warehousing(05:25) The Three Phases of Seasonal Distribution: Buildup, Mass Push, and Replenishment(11:00) The Challenge of Volumetrics: Why Warehouses Are Designed for Winter(13:07) Handling and Storing Clothes: Garments on Hangers vs. Flat Pack(16:06) What Are Value-Added Services (VAS) in an Apparel DC?(18:15) The Modern Challenge: E-Commerce Returns and Liquidating Unsold Inventory(21:10) Anecdote: The Surprising History and Modern Use of RFID in Apparel

A disconnect between your CRM and ERP could be costing your business up to 25% in lost revenue. When sales and operations work in silos, critical information gets lost, leading to inaccurate forecasts, poor customer service, and internal chaos.

This week, Alex & Romain discuss how to bridge the gap between these two essential systems. We explore the common data challenges faced by sales teams—like lack of inventory visibility —and operational teams, who often lack insight into the sales pipeline for accurate forecasting.

The solution lies in a bi-directional integration that creates a single source of truth across your organization. We discuss how platforms like Microsoft Dynamics 365 are making this easier than ever, with pre-integrated tools that provide a holistic view of your business, from the first customer interaction to final delivery.

Learn more about LIDD’s services by visiting our website: https://www.lidd.com

Timestamps:

Is AI a game-changer for supply chain management, or just the latest round of corporate hype? This week, we go behind the headlines to find out.First, we explore Starbucks' new inventory-taking AI tool. While the company talks about accuracy and protecting revenue, we argue the real motivation is far more strategic: solving the decades-long labor shortage and improving employee retention by automating the tasks baristas hate most.Then, we pivot to the healthcare supply chain, where executives are making bold claims about AI's ability to anticipate disruptions and manage risk. We cut through the noise, explaining why many of these applications are "ridiculous propositions" and examples of the hype that leads to failed investments.Next, we break down the end of the $800 de minimis rule and the $240 million hit Lululemon is expecting to its gross margin. We explain what this policy is, how it was used, and the irony behind the US government’s current stance given its position during USMCA negotiations.Finally, we look at the massive disruption caused by a recent hack at Jaguar Land Rover, which brought its entire network of orders, deliveries, and sales to a halt. It’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable finely tuned, "just-in-time" global supply chains are to IT security failures.

Timestamps:

Produced & edited by: Jeremy RotenbergHosted by: Charles Fallon & David Beaudet

Quand on pense à un hôpital, on imagine les médecins, les infirmières et l'effervescence des unités de soins. Pourtant, derrière chaque patient qui reçoit les bons soins au bon moment se cache une danse complexe de matériel, de transport et d'information : la logistique de la santé. C'est le moteur invisible qui permet à un hôpital non seulement de fonctionner, mais aussi d'exceller.Lors d'un récent épisode de notre balado, nous avons eu la chance de nous entretenir avec Martine Legault, directrice logistique du CIUSSS de la Montérégie-Ouest, pour explorer cet univers fascinant. Ce que nous avons découvert, c'est que les principes de la chaîne d'approvisionnement prennent une dimension critique lorsque des vies humaines sont en jeu.

(00:00) Introduction : La logistique du CIUSSS de la Montérégie-Ouest(00:37) L'étendue cachée de la logistique hospitalière(02:11) Les différences entre la logistique industrielle et celle de la santé(03:41) Comment mesure-t-on la complexité d'un entrepôt vs un hôpital?(06:03) L'impact direct de la logistique sur la qualité des soins aux patients(07:43) Étude de cas : Le système de double casier (Kanban) à l'hôpital(10:12) Projets innovants : Chef Jasper, la cuisine robotisée(11:45) Projets innovants : La civière robotisée pour le transport des usagers(12:42) Pourquoi automatiser? Qualité des soins et attraction des talents(13:46) Conclusion et remerciements

In this episode, we peel back the layers on a topic that most people never think about: how bananas get from the farm to our tables.

(00:01:42) The Banana Ripening Process

(00:03:08) A Tale of Two Fruits

(00:12:10) Banana Trivia

(00:13:30) Home Hacks

Visit our site: LIDD.com

Our team just got back from the ReFED, Food Banks Canada, and Feed Ontario conferences, and we’re excited to share what we learned about fighting food waste.In this episode, we dive into the most important conversations happening in food loss and supply chain sustainability today. We cover the power of collaboration between food producers and food banks , the importance of getting ahead of new policies , and why smart logistics are a game-changer for sharing resources effectively. Join our conversation to hear actionable ideas and learn how we can work together to build a more sustainable food future.(00:00) Introduction(00:27) Provincial vs. National: Differing Views on Food Security(00:42) Comparing Conferences: The Focus of Feed Ontario vs. Food Banks Canada(04:13) A Global Movement: International Perspectives on Food Waste(05:14) A Multi-Scalar Problem: From Your Fridge to Global Policy(09:04) Breaking Down Silos: The Value of Industry Conferences(11:59) Key Takeaways & What Your Business Can Do Now(15:16) How LIDD Can Help

Go behind the headlines with Charles & David! This week, Ferrero Acquires Kellogs, Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy, Amazon Deploys It's 1 Millionth Robot, and Say Goodbye to De Minimis.

How do we move from awareness to action on food waste?Our non-profit consulting team joined leaders at the recent ReFED, Food Banks Canada, and Feed Ontario conferences to find out. Join Anna Gleason, Maria El Dahdah, and Georgina Morris as they sit down to share their biggest takeaways on the latest food waste solutions, from policy incentives and data-driven tech to the operational challenges facing food banks on the front lines.#FoodWaste #Sustainability #Solutions #FoodInsecurity #foodbanks

During the recent Supply Chain Canada 2025 National Conference in Alberta, Melanie Charles and Stephan Lauzon were inspired to explore a fundamental question: What is supply chain, and how do we best understand the various roles that contribute to this essential sector?

On this week's episode of It's the End of the Week, join Melanie & Stephan as they discuss key takeaways from the conference and share their insights on this topic ⬇️

Watch: https://youtu.be/3zOjT59QyW0

Read: https://lidd.com/what-is-supply-chain-12-disciplines/

Food waste is one of the most pressing challenges in the modern supply chain. In the United States, no organization has been more instrumental in quantifying this issue and uniting stakeholders than ReFed. As the nation's leading authority on food waste, ReFed provides the data and insights that guide government, non-profit, and for-profit sectors toward meaningful action.

That’s why LIDD is thrilled to announce that in 2025, we have embarked on a sprawling research project with ReFed. Following a successful research collaboration in 2024, this new initiative is designed to tackle one of the biggest questions in the industry: How much food is lost within the manufacturing and distribution sectors, why is it lost, and what can we do about it? Our goal is to update the foundational data in ReFed's acclaimed Food Waste Monitor and, in the process, develop a robust framework of food waste solutions for the industry.

Watch: https://ow.ly/iTJQ50WcCeSListen: https://ow.ly/wCVZ50WcCeT Read: https://ow.ly/TjKx50WcCeU