Twenty percent of American adults already own a wearable device and the adoption rate - on par with tablets in 2012 - is quickly expected to rise, according to PwC's Consumer Intelligence Series-The Wearable Future report, an extensive U.S. research project that surveyed 1,000 consumers, wearable technology influencers and business executives, as well as monitored social media chatter, to explore the technology's impact on society and business.

A hot topic among retailers, customers and logistics professionals alike for years, omnichannel fulfillment is finally here. Whether shopping in person, buying online and picking up in store, or having merchandise sent directly to them, customers expect access to the same inventory.

The issue of ethical sourcing is a point of contention among procurement and supply chain professionals. The general sentiment is that the balancing act of being globally competitive and remaining a genuine corporate citizen is getting harder and harder. This is especially true for the rag trade. Apparel companies are consistently faced with the challenge of reducing costs while upholding ethical labour practices within their supply chain. How procurement and supply chain professionals in the sector manage this plays an increasingly important role in protecting company margins, brand reputation and growth. So what are the issues and factors at play and how can the risks involved be managed?

First and foremost, a dedicated holiday supply chain strategy needs to be in place at least six months before the holidays, says Doug Pasquale, senior vice president of supply chain solutions for Ingram Micro Mobility. It's always a good idea to begin planning immediately following the previous year's season and engage manufacturers and logistics partners as soon as possible.

Centric Software Inc., a provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software for the retail, apparel, footwear, luxury and consumer goods industries, has opened its first Asian office, in Shanghai, China.

Arena Solutions Inc., a vendor of cloud-based applications for product lifecycle management, has integrated Arena PLM with the electronic components information database of SiliconExpert Technologies.

Icix, a vendor of applications for global supply-chain risk management, has developed Direct Test.