At the end of 2016, cargo imports surged. Retailers had experienced strong holiday spending and were stocking up on inventory for 2017. The increased container cargo volume was a welcome change from the lows of 2016, when overcapacity and weak demand caused rates to drop to the lowest they had been in years. This even…
More and more brands join the sustainable sourcing movement each year. Ralph Lauren Corporation is one of the latest companies to make a commitment to manage its supply chain in a way that benefits the environment. The company has new sustainable sourcing guidelines for its wood-based fabric products and will also look into its human…
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for families in the U.S. who don’t have the resources to buy sufficient groceries. The program is getting an upgrade in 2017 with the introduction of online grocery shopping. Starting in the summer of 2017, some program participants…
Wal-Mart is a retail giant with more brick-and-mortar locations in the U.S. than any other brand. The company boasts “everyday low prices” and appeals to consumers looking to save money on groceries and household items. However, Wal-Mart’s online sales are not as high as the company desires. In August 2016, Wal-Mart announced that it will…
It’s typical for shipping rates to increase every year to accommodate employees’ annual salary increases and new technology upgrades. At the end of 2016, however, UPS, FedEx, and the United States Postal Service (USPS) increased their rates higher than what’s normally expected. It’s important to understand shipping rates when choosing a delivery service provider because…
It will still be a decade or more before driverless trucks and other vehicles are commonplace in the shipping industry, but Otto just made an important step towards this reality. The Uber subsidiary made the first revenue-generating shipment by driverless truck on October 20, 2016.
Kellogg’s is the largest cereal maker in the United States, but the company has recently switched its focus to snack foods. In October 2016, Kellogg’s announced its plan to acquire Parati Group, the leading Brazilian food producer and largest snack company in Latin America. The acquisition serves to further Kellog’s goals of expanding into emerging…
Gold is one of those precious metals that has remained popular throughout history. The demand for gold has gone up and down, but overall it has experienced an upward trend. The price of gold saw a sharp increase in 2016, and it’s proving to be resilient in foreign markets. Analysts continue to debate if the…
Reebok has been manufacturing shoes since 1958. The company has always focused on innovation, and it’s now changing the way that it designs and manufactures shoes. The new manufacturing process could mean Reeboks that boast better performance and lower costs.
Staple grains like wheat and rice were produced in record numbers in 2016. This high level of production has helped stabilize the global food market and keep the world food import bill low. This is good news for consumers who have faced increasingly higher prices for staple grains over the last few years.