You can learn a lot by monitoring consumer conversations in social media. It can predict political elections, the Oscars and even the next reality show winner. If you are a CPG marketer, social media can also be a real-time predictor of your new product's success.

Retail theft, including shoplifting, employee theft, administrative error and vendor fraud is down, according to an annual survey recently conducted by the University of Florida. The National Retail Security Survey 2011 report found that theft as a percentage of revenue was 1.41 percent, down from 1.49 percent in the previous findings. This calculates to an approximate $2.6bn decline in losses.

Enrique Almanza Hernandez, logistics expert and former central Mexico regional director at Autotransportes de Carga Tresguerras SA de CV, discusses key issues surrounding effective North American supply chain management and explores the state of fully integrated North American logistics - including the evolution of some Mexican carriers into true 3PL providers. Hernandez spoke with Danny Slaton, SMC ³ executive vice president of business and product development.

Over the next five years, the natural gas heavy-duty commercial vehicle market is set to experience rapid growth in North America.

The International Air Cargo Association has applauded the recent agreements forged by authorities around the world to mutually recognize other countries' airfreight screening regimes. But more nations should follow the lead of these trailblazing countries, TIACA says.

The Indonesian economy has surged forward to its highest level in years. While growth is expected to be 6.1 percent in 2012, on June 7 the Jakarta Globe reported the government reckons it to be 7.2 percent next year. (World Bank estimates previously had suggested 6.4% growth in GDP in 2013.)

The board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States has approved two final commitments aggregating $171m in export financing for Aerovias de Mexico S.A. de C.V., or Aeroméxico, the country's largest airline. This transaction effectively triples Ex-Im support for Mexican aviation companies purchasing goods and services from U.S. companies.

The Consumer Goods Forum has created what it calls the first professional online network of the retail and consumer goods industry. The purpose is enable the group's mission to facilitate industry-wide collaboration and to enable members to work together by serving shoppers, consumers and communities better, faster, with greater value and more responsibly.

Eighty percent of manufacturers responding to a recent survey rate reducing overall supply chain costs as the number one supply chain priority in the coming year, according to IDC Manufacturing Insights. Nearly 55 percent suggest supply chain agility is second and 52 percent suggest improving product quality and safety is the third-most important priority.