Retailers have always had to deal with returns. But with the steady rise of online sales, the amount of returned product is growing larger with each passing year.

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.

At a time when supply chain experts are preaching the benefits of diversified sourcing, an alarmingly small number of manufacturers seem to be practicing it.

The competition to find workers has moved beyond traditional supply chain roles, with virtually everyone trying to hire.