Supply Chain Now Podcast Summary

Episode: The Buzz: Retail Signals, Supply Chain Stories & Georgia on the Rise
Date: April 10, 2026
Hosts: Scott Lewton & Mary Kate Love
Guest: Sandy Lake (Georgia Center of Innovation)
Timestamps are [MM:SS]

Overview

This episode of Supply Chain Now’s “The Buzz” centers on current trends in U.S. retail and logistics, the role of technology in supply chain resiliency, Georgia’s rapidly growing industry scene, and workforce innovations. Scott, Mary Kate, and their guest, Sandy Lake, highlight major upcoming events, key research, notable business stories, and a compelling new supply chain documentary, all with enthusiasm and practical insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening & Personal Catch-Up ([00:14]–[02:56])

• Scott and Mary Kate share personal updates, set a vibrant, casual tone, and preview topics: March retail data, “The Chain” documentary, upcoming industry events (Modex, National Supply Chain Day, Georgia Logistics Summit), and supply chain trends in Georgia.

2. "Between the Lines" Book Club: Notable Reads ([02:56]–[06:26])

• Hosts review recent supply chain-related book picks:
  • “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt: Mary Kate highlights how smartphone emergence circa 2010 correlated with doubled adolescent anxiety and depression rates globally ([03:53]).
  • Emphasis on intentional technology use and the importance of establishing boundaries, both personally and in workplace culture.
• Quote:

  “I think it's something that we all have to focus on being more intentional around.”
  — Mary Kate ([04:40])

• Takeaway: Work-life balance and technology boundaries are critical both for personal well-being and sustainable business leadership.

3. Modex 2026 & National Supply Chain Day ([06:26]–[10:21])

• Modex 2026 (April 13-16, Atlanta): The premier manufacturing and supply chain event, expected to draw 40,000 attendees. 4Flow spotlighted for supply chain transformation solutions ([06:53]).
• National Supply Chain Day (April 29): A virtual event featuring keynote Billy Ray Taylor and, for the first time, industry awards ([08:18]).
  • The website is a central hub for event info and other national celebrations.
• Quote:

  “The supply chain really connects our world.”
  — Mary Kate ([08:55])

• Emphasis: Events foster recognition, education, and new talent in supply chain.

4. Industry News – DOS Funding & Enterprise Unleashed ([10:21]–[11:36])

• DOS, the episode’s sponsor, raised $55 million in Series B funding to build “the operations cloud for the real world” ([11:06]).
• Recommends upcoming "Enterprise Unleashed" interview featuring WiseTech Global’s Zubin Apu.

5. Guest Introduction: Sandy Lake of Georgia Center of Innovation ([11:36]–[12:35])

• Sandy is instrumental in growing Georgia’s logistics scene, serving on advisory boards including Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain Institute.

6. Community and Seasonality Segment (Lighthearted) ([12:35]–[15:11])

• Discussion of favorite summer foods (watermelon, watermelon-feta salad) to celebrate seasonal produce and local farmers markets, setting an engaging community tone.

7. March 2026 Retail Data Analysis ([15:11]–[19:31])

• Preliminary March retail sales up 0.6% month-over-month, 3.5% year-over-year.
  • Growth led by building materials, auto parts, furniture, gasoline; groceries down ([15:39]).
  • Small business sales rose 1.3%.
  • Fiserv’s CDO persona Door: March shows durability but with increased consumer caution due to rising energy prices ([16:53]).
• Panel notes the effects of inflation, early Easter, volatile environment, and the shadow of possible recession.
• Quote:

  “With energy prices rising, households began weighing trade offs carefully. Their selectivity was visible with consumers eating out less and making more deliberate purchases.”
  — persona Door, Fiserv ([16:53]; quoted by Scott)

8. Georgia’s Logistics Market Snapshot ([19:31]–[26:42])

• Georgia publishes a detailed monthly logistics report ("snapshot"); March highlights:
  • Consumer confidence index up in March.
  • US manufacturing PMI showed third straight month of expansion.
  • Automation in logistics will reshape the industry by 2030.

    “The days of running your business on static spreadsheets and dumb documents are numbered.”
    — Inbound Logistics, quoted by Scott ([21:50])

  • Diesel prices reached $5.40-$5.61 per gallon nationally, over $8 in SF—trucking capacity tightening to levels unseen since the 1980s.
• Sandy underscores the magnitude of the trucking industry’s restructuring and its effect on the workforce ([22:17]).
• Mary Kate and Scott echo the importance of supply chain resilience, regional planning, and leveraging technology to be proactive in the face of disruption.

9. New Documentary Spotlight: "The Chain: How the World Works" ([26:42]–[32:41])

• Produced by ASCM, now on Amazon Prime: a six-episode series demystifying supply chains for the general public.
  • Highlights: sports supply chain, global grocery, and how a $10 T-shirt is possible.
• Sandy: Ketchup’s supply chain (first episode) is unexpectedly global (tomatoes from China).

  “It truly is an orchestration behind the scenes that... we really don’t have any idea that’s happening. And I work in this every day.”
  — Sandy ([29:03])

• Mary Kate: Documentary and initiatives like National Supply Chain Day help elevate supply chain from “background to forefront” of business and society.

10. Georgia Growth Stories & Market Expansion ([34:51]–[39:43])

• Sandy’s favorite examples:
  • Toto USA: Georgia-based facility increased capacity by 150%, innovative robotics, no worker layoffs ([34:51]).
  • King’s Hawaiian: Six expansions since 2010—great partnerships and culture, beloved brand ([38:04]).
  • Stord: Startup now valued at $1.5B, enabling small companies to compete in omnichannel ecommerce.
• Mary Kate highlights Georgia’s blend of manufacturing, logistics, and innovation.

11. Georgia as a Logistics Hub ([39:57]–[46:13])

• Savannah’s port: 14,000-16,000 truck moves per day, among the nation’s best connected ports.
• ATL airport: 600,000+ metric tons of cargo annually.
• Georgia: a payment processing “Transaction Alley”—70% of US payments.
• Savannah expansion: Increased efficiency (container unloading time down from 28 to 22 hours) and scalability.
• Quote:

  “From ship to truck to rail, Savannah is built for flow at scale.”
  — Scott ([45:22])

12. Georgia Logistics Summit 2026 Preview ([41:38]–[43:35])

• April 17 in Savannah, now with new ballroom.
• Notable session: all major transportation modes (air, sea, rail, road) on a panel.
• Trade policy, tariffs, and the logic behind them explained by Washington D.C. insider ([41:38]).
• Quote:

  “...Even if you don’t agree with the logic, maybe kind of hearing the logic might help in some form or fashion in understanding what’s happening...”
  — Sandy ([42:08])

13. Common Threads in Supply Chain Leadership ([46:54]–[48:50])

• Biggest themes for Georgia businesses now:
  • Trade and tariff uncertainty
  • The rise of AI
  • Impact of ongoing global conflicts
  • Predictability and resilience as business imperatives
  • Rapid evolution away from static spreadsheets and legacy approaches
• Quote:

  "Make your supply chains resilient and predictable as possible, and that'll get you through the ups and the downs."
  — Mary Kate ([48:33])

Notable Quotes

• Mary Kate ([08:55]): “The supply chain really connects our world. ... We always uncover really cool stories from companies, from people.”
• Scott ([21:50]): “The days of running your business on static spreadsheets and dumb documents are numbered.”
• Sandy ([22:17]): “What's happening in trucking... we haven't seen probably the likes of this type of restructuring since the 1980s.”
• Sandy ([29:03]): “It truly is an orchestration behind the scenes that, you know, we really don’t have any idea that's happening. And I work in this every day.”
• Scott ([45:22]): "From ship to truck to rail, Savannah is built for flow at scale."
• Mary Kate ([48:33]): “Make your supply chains resilient and predictable as possible, and that'll get you through the ups and the downs.”

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Book Club / Work-Life Balance: [03:53]–[06:26]
• Events Preview (Modex, NSDC): [06:26]–[10:21]
• March Retail Data Analysis: [15:11]–[19:31]
• Georgia Logistics Market Snapshot: [19:31]–[26:42]
• Documentary Discussion – "The Chain": [26:42]–[32:41]
• Georgia Growth Stories: [34:51]–[39:43]
• Savannah & Infrastructure: [39:57]–[46:13]
• Georgia Logistics Summit Preview: [41:38]–[43:35]
• Leadership Themes and Outlook: [46:54]–[48:50]

Resources & How to Connect

• Georgia Center of Innovation: georgia.org / georgialogistics.com
• National Supply Chain Day: supplychainnow.com/nsdc
• Georgia Logistics Summit: galogisticssummit.com (April 17, 2026, Savannah)
• The Chain Documentary: Streaming on Amazon Prime Video; info at ASCM.org

Final Word

Scott closes by urging listeners to implement at least one insight from the episode to keep “transforming global supply chain”—and highlights the role of information, adaptability, and community.

For more, visit supplychainnow.com and connect with the hosts and their guests on LinkedIn.