Logistics & supply chain - Articles - Page 62

Can Index-Linked Contracts Bring Sanity to the Liner Trades?

May 28, 2013

On October 13, 2011, the Federal Maritime Commission launched a rulemaking that proposed to allow rate levels within oceangoing service contracts to be linked to industry freight indices. Some carriers and shippers had pushed for the change in hopes of achieving greater rate stability in the notoriously uncertain liner trades.

Designing Distribution Channels to Meet Consumers' Omnichannel Demands

May 23, 2013

Kris Bjorson, International Director, Jones Lang LaSalle

Omnichannel retailing is here to stay, and retailers not using it successfully are losing sales and profits to those that do. In devising an omnichannel strategy, the natural starting point is the point of purchase "” brick-and-mortar stores and/or e-commerce sites for online and mobile shopping. But customer expectations don't stop when the sale is made. Order fulfillment is every bit as important to winning repeat business. Now more than ever, a well-developed supply chain strategy is vital to retailers' success.

Stifel Logistics Confidence Index Stays Positive Despite Second Consecutive Decline

May 23, 2013

Transport Intelligence

The Stifel Logistics Confidence Index continued its downward trend in May as it fell for the second consecutive month. Compiled by Transport Intelligence, the overall index, which combines the current situation with future expectations, was down 0.8 points from April to 50.7 in May and was 1.3 points lower compared with the same month in 2012. Yet, even with deteriorating confidence, the Logistics Confidence Index registered above the 50 threshold, indicating growth, for the fourth consecutive month. An index value of 50 indicates no change in the volumes currently being experienced for the time of year; above 50 indicates higher volumes, while below 50 indicates lower volumes.

Inventory Is an Asset. Unless It's a Liability. Or Could It Be a Little of Each?

May 21, 2013

MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics

Depending on which corporate silo you belong to, inventory can be a liability, an asset or something in between. How do supply chain professionals overcome these biases and implement optimal inventory management solutions?

Ensuring the 'Last Mile' in Customer Satisfaction

May 17, 2013

Mike Lee, CEO, Airclic

We live in a world rife with the daily experience (and expectation) of instant gratification. Nowhere is that demand greater than in the relationship between a business and its suppliers. From a delayed order confirmation email, to a missed delivery time, to a damaged or incorrect order"”these are the make-or-break occurrences that represent the distinction between happy customers and a suddenly precarious customer-supplier dynamic.

U.S. Retail Import Growth Expected to Slow Significantly During Summer Months

May 16, 2013

National Retail Federation

Import volume at the nation's major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.3 percent in May over the same month last year, but growth could trickle to a standstill by the end of the summer, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

How Multi-Channel Retailing Impacts Site Selection

May 7, 2013

SupplyChainBrain

Two executives from industrial realty firm Jones Lang LaSalle discuss issues impacting retailer's distribution site selection decisions, including the growth of multi-channel distribution and rising transportation costs.

By the Holidays, Amazon Will Have DC Within 5 Miles of Every Major U.S. City

May 6, 2013

Storefront Backtalk

Amazon will open eight new U.S. distribution centers between now and the holiday selling season, bringing the total to 54. The result of the ferocious building spree is that Amazon will then have a DC within five miles of most major U.S. cities. That means Amazon will very likely have a DC closer to your customers than many of your stores.

An Insider's View of Panama's Colon Free Trade Zone

April 30, 2013

SupplyChainBrain

Nelson Cabrera, director of business development at Lilly and Associates, provides first-hand information on the operation of Panama's Colon Free Zone.

Evolution of the Retail Consumer and How Supply Chains Must Adapt

April 30, 2013

SupplyChainBrain

Consumers today want the ability to purchase and return products via any channel, at any time, at the best price. To meet those expectations, companies that traditionally have had disparate fulfillment models must now merge both the informational and operational aspects of those models into one, says Todd Peters, CEO and vice chairman of GENCO.