Retail

Amazon's On-site Presence in Clients' Warehouses Reportedly Upsets Some Retailers

October 18, 2013

Recently, its rivals were reportedly upset after details of Amazon's warehouse arrangement with Procter & Gamble and other major suppliers were revealed.

Government Shutdown Didn't Help Already Glum Predictions for Holiday Season Spending

October 18, 2013

Los Angeles Times

Retail sales were lagging long before the government shutdown, but the hit that the economy took from the closure didn't help things at all. Now, the National Retail Federation, the industry's top trade group, said that shoppers this year planned to reduce spending on presents and holiday preparations.

During Holiday Season, Aim for Best Shipping Outcome But Don't Be Surprised When the Worst Happens

October 16, 2013

CRM Buyer

In retail, the holidays are the best of times and the worst of times. The trick to troubleshooting shipping issues is to manage for the best scenario but expect the worst, especially during peak intervals.

Newgistics Opens New Facilities, Launches End-to-End Commerce Product

October 15, 2013

Newgistics

Newgistics, a vendor of electronic-commerce tools for brands and retailers, is opening three new facilities, in Kentucky, California and Illinois.

Why Quality Is More Than a Passing Fad

October 14, 2013

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Total Quality Management. Quality circles. Quality with a capital "Q." It all seems so...20th Century.

Five Reasons Why Demand Is So Great for 'Big Box' Distribution Space

October 10, 2013

Jones Lang LaSalle

Demand for U.S. industrial distribution centers, larger than 300,000 square feet, is high and rising, according to real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle's first "Big Box Velocity Index". Improving economic conditions, the continuing growth of e-commerce and a deep bench of tenants seeking space have all created this highly competitive fight for industrial and warehousing space. As a result, there is 96.7 million square feet of industrial construction under way, with nearly half speculative, with an average building size of 360,000 square feet.

Optimistic Forecast Sees U.S. Holiday Spending Topping Last Year's Sales

October 9, 2013

Retailing Today

Shoppers in the United States plan on spending an average of $646 on gifts this holiday season, representing an 11-percent increase over the $582 they planned to spend, on average, in 2012, according to Accenture's annual holiday shopping survey. The forecast uptick is more optimistic than other holiday surveys released to date.

Retail Imports Growing as Holidays Approach, Cargo Moving Despite Concerns Over Government Shutdown

October 9, 2013

National Retail Federation

Despite concerns over the government shutdown, import volume at the nation's major retail container ports is expected to grow 9.1 percent in October over the same month last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. The numbers reflect merchandise ordered months before the shutdown as retailers planned for the holiday season.

3D Printing Complements How Manufacturers Efficiently Deliver Products to Market, Proponent Says

October 8, 2013

Stratasys

Manufacturing using 3D printing technologies holds significant promise in strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness by transforming how many products are made and increasing supply chain efficiencies, according to Stratasys, a manufacturer of 3D printers and materials for personal use, prototyping and production.

Pointing to Jobs, Sustainability, Walmart Maintains It Is Positive Force in Asia-Pacific Retailing

October 8, 2013

Walmart Stores

Many of the key priorities of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum are "strikingly similar" to those of Walmart, executives of the retail giant's Asia Pacific arm say. That includes supporting the economic empowerment of women, increasing speed and efficiency in supply chain and sourcing operations, adding new stores and infrastructure, playing a leadership role in food security and sustainability - all shared goals not only critical to Walmart's success but to people, communities and entire economies alike.