This Week's Top Five Stories in Supply Chain

What is the Issue Behind Starbucks' Supply Chain Struggles?

Over the course of five years, four CEOs have cited supply issues as the main reason behind its loss in sales across thousands of US stores.

Current CEO Brian Niccol has been working to address the shortages and reevaluate the coffee chain's strategy.

Despite this, AI glitches, poor inventory management and outdated systems are proving a costly impact on Starbucks' operations.

Can Trump's US$12bn Project Vault Fix US Mineral Shortage?

The Trump administration's ambitious US$12bn "Project Vault" initiative could reshape critical mineral supply chains as American manufacturers seek alternatives to China-dominated sourcing networks. Between 21 January and 2 February 2026, the administration introduced measures designed to create new upstream supply options for industries reliant on cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements.

By establishing a US$12bn funding mechanism alongside expedited permitting processes, the White House is attempting to build domestic mineral stockpiles that could provide supply chain managers with buffers against geopolitical disruption. The strategy targets the deep ocean floor as an untapped resource base, positioning seabed mining as a potential solution to long-standing procurement vulnerabilities.

Project Vault represents the cornerstone of this approach. Announced on 2 February 2026, the initiative secures funding primarily through a US$10bn US Export-Import Bank loan to create strategic reserves of minerals essential to electric vehicle batteries, semiconductors and defence applications.

Accenture: Is Your Supply Chain Still Stuck in 2019 Logic?

The global business environment has shifted dramatically in recent years, transitioning from predictable operational cycles into what has been termed a state of perpetual "permacrisis".

Accenture's latest Pulse of Change report reveals that business volatility has increased by 183%.

For professionals working in supply chain and procurement, this figure represents more than just a data point; it could signal the obsolescence of conventional operational frameworks.

What are the Logistics Behind Super Bowl LX?

The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL) within the US. 

As the Super Bowl LX nears, years worth of logistics planning is reaching its peak.

From transportation providers and NFL coordination, to sponsors and vendors, to the half-time show, every part of the event is carefully slotted into place.

Q&A: Why 2026 is the Year the Supply Chain Takes Control

The volatility of 2025 served as a stark reminder that even the most robust supply chain strategies can be upended by sudden tariff hikes and shifting political landscapes. 

In this climate, mere resilience is no longer a sufficient safeguard; true competitiveness is now defined by an organisation’s agility and its capacity to adapt at pace.

Leading firms are moving beyond simple disruption mitigation, instead choosing to fully embed volatility into their end-to-end orchestration of planning, execution and decision-making.

To explore how businesses can navigate this new era of ‘orchestrated uncertainty’, we speak to Jonathan Jackman, Regional VP at Kinaxis.