Businesses are increasingly taking advantage of the ability of a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) to deliver significant benefits. Any size of importer or exporter, including retailers and medium to large manufacturers, can defer costs incurred from customs duties, taxes and tariffs, improve speed to global markets, competitiveness, and minimize encounters with bureaucratic regulations.

But many are now realizing that FTZs are just one element in a sophisticated import or export supply chain management strategy.

Suppliers are scrambling to meet Walmart’s tighter standards for delivery performance — and they can expect the giant retailer to keep raising the bar.

In an increasingly competitive industry, retailers can no longer rely on providing the right product at the right price, with customer service taking center ground in the battle for consumers’ hard-earned cash.

With increasing volumes of online purchases, and the ability to source products from across the globe, e-commerce businesses are having trouble finding enough space.