Verify Brand, active in supply chain security software systems, says its new Verify Platform, a piece of advanced serialization, traceability and authentication software, could stop illegal, dangerous and counterfeit chemicals from entering a manufacturer's supply chain.

UK retailers lost more than £400m ($603m) last year as a result of fraudulent "goods lost in transit" (GLIT), with the average cost estimated at over £40, or about $60. Now, 90 percent of retailers believe growing numbers of fake GLIT claims pose a serious threat. This is an ongoing problem and highlights a new form of theft: "digital shoplifting".

With the current economic business pressure, reducing costs in the service supply chain without compromising customer satisfaction is a challenge which must be faced head on. Managing this balancing act requires business intelligence, which refers to the applications, tools, infrastructure and best practices that enable raw data to be transformed into significant information, and as such can be utilized to improve outdated processes.

Easy access to multiple modes of transportation is a big boon to any business involved in shipping products to a wide array of destinations. For companies that supply parts needed in manufacturing operations, intermodal access has become essential as more manufacturers adopt just-in-time and similar supply chain management strategies. Cities throughout the United States have done what they can to respond to the needs of shippers.

Port security has become a complicated issue in today's world. Terrorist attacks over the past decade have shown the importance of securing major ports. However, the logistics and costs involved in ensuring the safety of ports have certainly made port security a major problem.

Maersk has announced an investment into biomass research in a bis to reduce its bunker fuel consumption. According to the company, which has an annual fuel bill of $7bn, there has been no prior research into the possibility of using biomass in the shipping industry.

The success of online retailers has been linked to the demise of many high street shops in the UK, most recently HMV and Jessops. The remaining retailers have clear strategies which incorporate on-line shopping with home delivery and are often further supported by other initiatives, such as click and collect, where goods are ordered online but delivered to a third-party address, such as a local garage or convenience store, to avoid the disappointment of missed home deliveries.