Business leaders in Davos, Switzerland, traditionally the high priests of globalization, are talking up the benefits of local production to shield themselves from criticism from incoming U.S. President Donald Trump.

The number of businesses identifying themselves as "LGBT-certified" has tripled in the past five years as large companies, including Northrup Grumman Corp. and Major League Baseball, seek more diversity among suppliers.

Amazon's U.S. patent for one-click payments will expire this year, allowing other retailers to incorporate the same technology on their websites.

Companies need to step up their efforts in one supply chain risk area - the threats posed by water scarcity, according to Alexis Bateman in the MIT Sloan Management Review.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is overhauling its e-commerce team and elevating executives from its recently acquired Jet.com business, aiming to better challenge Amazon.com Inc.with more selection and lower prices.

Budget fashion retailer H&M reported this week a 6 percent year-on-year increase in local currency sales in December, the slowest pace since September and lagging expectations.

P&G announced last week it will make additional investments in recycling and beneficial reuse that will eliminate all manufacturing waste from its global network of more than 100 production sites by 2020.