Supply Chain Now

• Decoding Loyalty: What the Latest Research Reveals About Repeat Buyers

  In this episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton and special guest co-host Tevon E. Taylor welcome Lori Boyer, Head of Content Marketing at EasyPost, to unpack the post-purchase experience (tracking, claims, and returns) and how owning these moments drives loyalty and repeat purchase. Drawing on fresh consumer research, Lori explains why reliability and flexibility now outrank “free,” why brands, not carriers, are held responsible for delivery outcomes, and how proactive notifications can double as high-performing marketing touchpoints.Together, the panel dives into practical plays shippers can run today: cutting “where is my order?” calls with automated, branded tracking; removing friction with one-click USPS claims filing; and turning adverse events into brand-building recoveries. They also explore modern return realities. From fraud and “keep-the-item” policies to sustainability pressures, and how to reduce returns at the source with better product information, sizing guidance, and segmentation. If you ship anything in 2025, this fast-moving conversation is a field guide to protecting your brand promise after the buy button.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(02:38) Lori's European adventure(06:32) Insights on customer experience(20:59) The importance of tracking and notifications(25:59) Impact of WiMo on service costs(26:38) Importance of tracking and claims(27:57) Managing claims efficiently(28:30) Automating claims with EasyPost(32:21) The significance of returns(32:41) Challenges and strategies for returns(37:05) International returns and fraud(40:50) Optimizing customer experience(42:38) Resources and key takeawaysAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Lori Boyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/ Learn more about EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/ Check out Lori’s podcast, Unboxing Logistics: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cH1A13IAYFV7fmMpcd7p Check out What the WISMO? How to Stop Visibility Gaps from Stealing Your Revenue: https://www.easypost.com/guides/stop-visibility-gaps/ Check out Staying on Track: The Ultimate Package Tracking Guide: https://www.easypost.com/guides/complete-package-tracking-guide/ Connect with Tevon Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevontaylor/ Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform:

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• The Buzz: Insights on Holiday Consumer Behavior

  Is your supply chain ready for the holidays? Today, hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa break down the biggest challenges shaping global supply networks this season — from tariff uncertainty and inflationary pressures to shifting consumer expectations and the ongoing semiconductor shortage. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by OMP!Scott and Karin are joined by Chris Butler, CEO of National Tree Company, to explore how consumer behavior continues to evolve, including the accelerating move toward online shopping and the rising demand for fast, reliable delivery during peak holiday periods.Together, they discuss:The ripple effects of tariffs and inflation on pricing, availability, and inventory managementHow the semiconductor crisis is reshaping automotive supply chains worldwideThe growing role of artificial intelligence in improving supply chain agility and decision-makingStrategies for maintaining resilience and responsiveness in a volatile marketListen in as we unpack what’s driving today’s supply chain challenges — and how leaders can stay ahead of the curve this holiday season and beyond.Additional Links & Resources:With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-9Nov2025 OMP: https://omp.com/U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://bit.ly/scn-us-bank Manifest 2026: https://bit.ly/ManifestSCNNAM 3Q Survey: https://bit.ly/NAMsurvey3Q OMP eBook: Making AI Work for You: From Explainable to Agentic: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0pgvWp0National Tree Company:https://shop.nationaltree.com/Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbutler101/Gartner Survey Shows 49% of Organizations Lack Confidence in Future Manufacturing Strategy: https://gtnr.it/4hUQfQr Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- Inside the Cargo Theft Surge: Insights & Predictions for 2026: https://bit.ly/4oVAsmsWEBINAR- Inside Outdoor Cap’s Warehouse: How Voice Picking Elevated Daily Operations: https://bit.ly/49m4D1zWEBINAR- Supply Chain Strength: Strategies that Deliver in any Economy: https://bit.ly/4hqTnTHThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa, and...

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• The Portfolio Behind 5% of U.S. GDP: Link Logistics on What’s Driving Demand

  In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton teams up with special guest host Ward Richmond (Vice Chairman, Colliers) to dig into the state of industrial real estate with Brandon Page. EVP, Head of Leasing & Customer Solutions and Glenn Wylie (Senior Managing Director, East Region at Link Logistics. The conversation frames what a “balanced market” looks like in 2025 (tight small-bay infill vs. more options at bulk) while unpacking the demand stack from e-commerce and nearshoring to data center spillovers and the renewed importance of 3PL flexibility.The group gets practical on bonded warehouses and FTZs (where and why they fit), market dynamics across the Southeast, Texas, and Phoenix, and how power availability and automation readiness are influencing site decisions. You’ll also hear how Link Logistics uses data and AI, from rent-modeling insights to faster decision support across an infill-centric portfolio (with most assets within an hour of dense populations). The throughline: customers want flexibility, optimization, and speed, and the teams that blend relationships with good data will find the next wave of opportunity first.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(00:40) Scott welcomes Ward, Brandon, and Glenn(03:17) Baseball stories and quick warm-ups(05:40) Tailgate favorites: Publix chicken, BBQ, cheeseburgers(07:28) Ward on music and podcast projects(08:37) Supply chain real estate 101 with Link Logistics(12:57) Market shifts since 2022: slower, smarter leasing(14:37) Demand drivers: e-commerce, nearshoring, power(24:20) 3PL growth, manufacturing, and data centers(27:25) Bonded warehouses and FTZ setup(30:55) Flexibility and cost pressures(32:14) Customer priorities: optimization and power(38:57) Regional trends: Southeast, Houston, Phoenix(46:05) AI and tech driving efficiency(53:21) Common myths about industrial real estate(58:16) Takeaways on balance and relationshipsAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Brandon Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-j-page-385395236/ Connect with Glenn Wylie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-wylie-233105203/ Learn more about Link Logistics: https://www.linklogistics.com Connect with Ward Richmond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wardrichmond/Ward Richmond’s official website: https://www.truckinon.com/ Learn more about Colliers: https://www.colliers.com/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch

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• Survey Results: 2025 Trends and Attitudes Report in Supply Chain and Sustainability

  In this episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton and special guest co-host Maria Villablanca welcome Dr. Dinesh Davè, Professor & Director of Supply Chain Management at Appalachian State University, and Evan Junker, Chief Growth Officer at SPARQ360, to unpack insights from the 2025 Supply Chain Trends and Attitudes Report. The annual study, conducted by Appalachian State and SPARQ360, surveys hundreds of supply chain managers across the U.S. to reveal where leaders are investing, from AI and visibility platforms to sustainability and risk management.Together, the panel discusses how familiarity and adoption of AI are rising, why the “ambition-action gap” still challenges sustainability progress, and what’s driving executives to balance cost efficiency, resilience, and environmental responsibility. They also explore how partnerships, collaboration, and customer-centered priorities are emerging as the new competitive advantage. Packed with practical insights and forward-looking data, this conversation offers a clear snapshot of where supply chain strategy is heading in 2025 and beyond.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(01:08) Survey overview and key findings(02:47) Fun warmup: favorite food and drink spots(05:52) Appalachian State University supply chain program(07:37) SPARQ360 and its role in the supply chain(13:30) AI in supply chain: priorities and challenges(19:03) Broader technology investments and priorities(24:21) Data transformation and security(24:37) Sustainability initiatives and drivers(26:09) Political and regulatory impacts(26:52) Statistical analysis and findings(27:48) The ambition-action gap(28:38) Technology’s role in sustainability(29:01) Tariffs and geopolitical shifts(33:16) Survey surprises and observations(42:00) Future directions and international expansion(43:10) Connecting with the panelResources:Connect with Dr. Dinesh Davè: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-dinesh-dave-a85b6713/ Learn more about Appalachian State University: https://www.appstate.edu/academics/majors/id/supply-chain-management Connect with Evan Junker: www.linkedin.com/in/evanjunker Learn more about SPARQ360: https://luna-resume.com/Connect with Maria Villablanca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariavillablanca/Explore Maria’s website: https://www.mariavillablanca.com/ Learn more about Transform Talks: https://futureinsights.org/transform-talks/ Read the 2025 Supply Chain Trends and Attitudes Report: https://sparq360.com/trendsandattitudes/ Connect with Scott Luton:

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• The Buzz: How to Quantify Uncertainty in Global Business

  Is freight auditing really dead? Today, we dive into a more frictionless approach promoting collaboration between carriers and customers, maintaining calm amidst the chaos, how to quantify uncertainty, and so much more. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by OMP!Hosts Scott Luton and Jake Barr are joined by special guest Shannon Vaillancourt, CEO of RateLinx to discuss the top news and headlines in supply chain news today including:The priorities of Chief Supply Chain Officers striving to enhance operational efficiency and employee capabilityThe implications of the recent trade agreement between the United States and China, assessing its potential impact on the agricultural sector, particularly regarding soybean importsThe alarming rise of package theft, colloquially known as “porch piracy,” and the measures consumers are taking in response to this growing issueTechnological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, are transforming supply chain processes, allowing for greater predictive analytics and operational efficienciesListen in as we share valuable insights and actionable strategies that can be implemented in your own supply chain operations today.Additional Links & Resources:With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS25Oct2025 OMP: https://omp.com/EasyPost Guard: https://bit.ly/EPGuard US to lower China tariffs as part of trade war truce: https://bit.ly/US-China-deal Uncertainty is impacting the global economy. But how is it measured? https://bit.ly/UncertaintyMetricsAmericans lost $15.7 billion in stolen packages last year: survey: https://bit.ly/PorchPiratesBoomOMP eBook: Making AI Work for You: From Explainable to Agentic: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0pgvWp0RateLinx: https://www.ratelinx.com/ Shannon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-vaillancourt/Karin's Post: https://bit.ly/KarinPanelBlogLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- Inside the Cargo Theft Surge: Insights & Predictions for 2026: https://bit.ly/4oVAsmsWEBINAR- Inside Outdoor Cap’s Warehouse: How Voice Picking Elevated Daily Operations:

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