Change.org Gains Support Over Apple’s ...

Apple has come under fire over claims that workers that assemble their iPhones and iPads are victims of abuse and in some cases, death, according to an article in the Boston Globe. The maker of some of the most popular gadgets on the market, caught the attention of an organization called, Change.org. As more claims continue to surface regarding Apple’s questionable supply chain practices, some 140,000 people globally have joined a Change.org’s campaign. What is most troubling about Apple’s supply chain allegations are the reports of overworked factory workers taking...

Obama Inks New U.S. Global Supply Chain ...

Americans can sleep a little better thanks to a new initiative signed into law that would protect the U.S. global supply chain should terrorists or natural disasters destroy or disrupt the flow of fundamentals into our country. For companies in the third party logistics industry, having a disaster recovery plan is essential to the survival of your business and your clients’ business. Surprisingly, it dawned on lawmakers ten years post 9/11, and over six years post Hurricane Katrina to protect our supply chain. Even Waffle House understands the importance of not...

Top Areas Where Retailers Should Focus i...

There isn’t a crystal ball with a definitive answer on where the retail industry will be over the next five years. However, Mitch Joel has some good insight into what retailers will need to do to be successful. As President of the digital marketing company, Twist Image, he lent his insight during the National Retail Federation’s Convention & Expo. Here is what needs to be on the to-do list of retailers in 2012 and beyond. One Screen World. Consumers have long been suffering from information overload.  The importance will now be on capturing the attention of...

Cost of a U.S. Postage Stamp Goes Up...

The price of a U.S. postage stamp has gone up, again. This time, it’s going to cost consumers 45 cents to mail that greeting card, bill or lighter envelope. Granted, it’s been well over two years since the now financially-strapped USPS has increased its rates on stamps with the exception of forever stamps purchases prior to the increase. But all is not well in the land of postal labor negotiations. Two unions: the National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Postal Mail Handlers are clashing with the USPS on negotiations. After failing to meet a suitable...

CNN’s John King Gets Personal with New...

Newt Gingrich edged up in the polls ahead of Mitt Romney, thanks to a direct question from CNN’s John King regarding allegations that he was unfaithful in his last marriage.  In the wake of an ABC interview with Newt Gingrich’s ex-wife, she claimed that he wanted a so-called, open marriage. So, CNN’s John King decided it would be a good idea to open last night’s debate with a a direct question asking him if he would like to take the time to respond to her allegations. Gingrich, responded by saying, “No, but I will.” His answer caused the audience to get on...

Google’s SOPA Protest Won’t ...

You may have noticed something different when you went to Google’s homepage. Instead of the usual doodles that they are famous for incorporating into their logo, a black box covered the popular search engine. Google joins other sites including Wikipedia in protest of SOPA-a proposed legislation that many consider a form of censorship on the internet rather than protecting copyrighted or “so-called” the piracy of content. Thankfully, Google states that their protest will not do anything to effect its search rankings. To take a stand, you can go to Google’s homepage...

New Reality Series is an Insightful and ...

Ever wonder how a 4,000 pound steal horse statue gets from New York to Florida? What about a live camel? A&E’s latest reality show, Shipping Wars answers those questions that otherwise, might have never crossed your mind. True to other A&E reality series, the story line relies heavily on not just the characters but the inventory or items that they discover. In the first episode, Marc a.k.a “The Handyman” wins the bid to transport a steal horse from New York’s Ripley’s Museum to its new home in St. Augustine, Florida. Immediately, you get the impression...

Supply Chains Help Foodservice Industry ...

The importance of supply chain management has never been more important, especially for restaurant chains. Restaurants such as Arby’s are not only expected to recover in 2012, but evolving supply chains will give fast food companies like Arby’s an additional 4.4 percent in growth, according to the International Franchise Association (IFA). The rising cost of staple ingredients used at drive-thru restaurants have made for a difficult road to recovery, considering that consumers have been conditioned to get their eats on the cheap. Instead, franchised restaurants are...

Holiday Shipping Season Far from Over fo...

Santa was good to online businesses this past holiday shopping season. November and December (2011) sales were up 15 percent over the prior year, with online businesses raking in a whopping $35.3 billion in sales, according to comScore. Other winners outside of the success of the e-commerce world are package delivery giants,  FedEx and UPS. It seems that both companies are cashing in on those returning gifts that either didn’t fit or fit the recipients’ style. FedEx projects that return shipments will not slow until the end of January, while UPS gets ready to receive...

Could Manufacturing Return to the U.S. i...

How often have you turned over a plastic container, gadget or any household item for that matter, without seeing Made in China stamped on the bottom? But times they are changin’ and if freight charges continue to rise, you may once again see Made in the U.S.A. or more likely, Made in Mexico on clothing tags and on the bottom of coffee mugs. A recent report released by AlixPartners found that if freight rates continue to inch up, that the savings of sending manufacturing overseas could be outweighed by the cost of bringing back that inventory to the U.S.  For China, the...