Ulta Beauty's Supply Chain Glow-Up

Founder and Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute, Rosemary Coates, joins us to unpack what’s truly happening beyond reshoring. You’ll hear why much of the work described as “coming back” to the U.S. was never here to begin with, where nearshoring to Mexico fits, how friend‑shoring actually plays out and why automation and skills will define the next decade. We dig into China “decoupling” realities, tariff whiplash, the rise of C‑suite supply chain strategy and what leaders, policymakers and the next generation of professionals must do now. You’ll learn: Clear definitions: reshoring vs. nearshoring vs. friend‑shoring Why automation, data and AI change the talent equation The hard parts of leaving China: contracts, IP risk and regulatory permissions.  Practical steps executives can take now to build a resilient supply chain Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org.  For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast    

In this episode of The Chain, Guy Yehiav, President of SmartSense by Digi, joins us to explore how IoT, AI and real‑time sensing are reshaping the cold chain.   From preventing foodborne illness and reducing waste to improving healthcare safety and unlocking full supply chain visibility, Guy shares how data-driven monitoring and predictive analytics are helping organizations build resilience, consistency, and customer trust across every link of the supply chain.   Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org.  For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast  

We revisit the past year of tariff policy and its ripple effects across global supply chains.   Our guest, supply chain expert Alastair Charatan, returns to discuss what predictions held up and what surprises emerged from the predictions we made back in January.   We unpack why large‑scale reshoring hasn’t materialized, how shortened planning horizons complicate capital investment and why a “carrots over sticks” industrial strategy beats blunt trade instruments.   Listen and learn: Why you need to invest in scenario planning tools lock capacity early when bottlenecks loom, and prioritize workforce development to work alongside automation and co-bots.  Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org.  For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast  

Join Abe Eshkenazi as he welcomes Scott Luton, founder and CEO of Supply Chain Now, for a dynamic conversation on the future of supply chain management. Fresh from the annual conference in Columbus, they give a sneak peek into the top trends shaping 2026, including the rise of artificial intelligence, workforce transformation, and the growing impact of climate and circularity. Scott shares insights on the human-machine dynamic, the evolving skills gap and why investing in people is key to overcoming today’s challenges. Whether you’re an early-career professional or a seasoned leader, this episode offers actionable advice and inspiration for navigating the fast-changing supply chain landscape. Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org.  For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast

In this episode of The Chain, we sit down with Ronald Kleijwegt, CEO of Vinturas, to explore the future of supply chain visibility, traceability and collaboration. Ronald shares insights on how blockchain and AI are transforming global supply chains, the importance of connecting every tier of suppliers, and how technology can help organizations respond to disruptions — from tariffs to cyber threats. Discover how leading companies are leveraging data to design agile, resilient supply chains and why cross-functional collaboration is essential for success in today’s volatile environment. Get the latest tips for improving your supply chain visibility by downloading our whitepaper.  Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org.  For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast

In this episode of The Chain Podcast, we dive into the future of returns and the creation of a more sustainable and socially conscious supply chain. Our host, Abe Eshkenazi, is joined by Disney Petit, the CEO and founder of LiquiDonate. Disney shares her extensive experience working with tech companies to implement social impact programs and discusses how LiquiDonate is revolutionizing the returns process. Discover how LiquiDonate leverages existing business models and evolving technologies to reduce landfill waste and enable circularity by connecting retailers' excess unsold and returned inventory to nonprofits. Disney explains the shocking reality that about 80% of returned products end up in landfills and how LiquiDonate's innovative software helps reroute these items to nonprofits, upcyclers, or recyclers. We also explore the environmental impact of returns, the inefficiencies in reverse logistics and the role of e-commerce in complicating the returns process.    Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org.  For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast

Join host Abe Eshkenazi and Dr. Zal Phiroz, professor of supply chain management at Harvard University. Dr. Phiroz shares his unique journey from computer science to supply chain. We explore the evolving role of the Chief Supply Chain Officer, the balance between technology and critical thinking and the preparedness of the next generation of supply chain leaders. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a student entering the field, this episode provides an important look at how academia is shaping the supply chain industry.  Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org.  For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast Register for CHAINge now and join supply chain leaders from around the globe at ASCM's transformative supply chain conference. Get $200 off by using code PODCAST200

The global supply chain is walking a tariff tightrope, and the impact is reaching far and wide. Join us as we unravel the complexities of current trade negotiations and their direct effects on everything from consumer prices to long-term business strategies. David Stephen Jacoby, a leading supply chain expert, cuts through the noise, revealing how tariffs are reshaping industrial manufacturing, sparking inflationary cycles and forcing companies to rethink their very approach to sourcing and supplier relationships.  Listen to the podcast, then find out more from Jacoby's book, Trump, Trade, and the End of Globalization. Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org.  Check out our Tariff Tracker and start navigating tariffs with confidence. For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast Register for CHAINge now and join supply chain leaders from around the globe at ASCM's transformative supply chain conference. Get $200 off by using code PODCAST200

ASCM CEO Abe Eskenazi sits down with Heather Lane, VP of Supply Chain Strategy and Systems at Ulta Beauty. Learn how Ulta Beauty navigated a massive supply chain transformation, accelerated by the pandemic's e-commerce boom. Heather shares insights into their innovative three-tier distribution model, featuring regional distribution centers, fast fulfillment centers and their groundbreaking market fulfillment centers. You'll also learn about the cutting-edge autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) making their operations safer and more efficient, and how their S/4HANA ERP implementation built the foundation for this agile, omnichannel approach. Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast Register for CHAINge now and join supply chain leaders from around the globe at ASCM's transformative supply chain conference.  

Retail reality check: Are we solving problems or creating new ones?  Dropit President and COO, Stuart Ford, reveals the shocking truth about the retail supply chain industry.  Over half of retailers are in some form of distress  Roughly 20% of fashion is never worn  About 40% return rates  Landfills so large that they are visible from space  Listen to how we can transform these challenges into opportunities and enhance sustainability.  Want more supply chain knowledge? Visit ASCM.org. For more details on The Chain Podcast, visit ascm.org/podcast Register for CHAINge now and join supply chain leaders from around the globe at ASCM's transformative supply chain conference.