Big retailers rushed to build up inventories last year amid soaring consumer demand and transportation bottlenecks — going so far in some cases as to rent their own cargo ships. Now, they’re trying to figure out how to sell all their stuff.

Consumer goods companies can’t seem to catch a break.

When shipping rates began to rise at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was hope that the situation would be short-lived. Unfortunately, two years later, it has become clear that shipping issues are here to stay. 

The last two years have seen a major shift in the technology available to manufacturers, supply chain and logistics professionals. Yet 3D models remain underutilized by those sectors.

Angela Robine, director of strategy-supply chain with VF Corp., talks about the challenge of taking the long view at a time when so many companies are struggling merely to survive.

What’s behind the push by retailers to undo years of effort, and separate e-commerce from brick-and-mortar fulfillment?