There is great effort now to make buying electronics in a store appealing again, but the trends are not favorable. People are increasingly buying electronics online, even if they go to stores to examine product features.

As supply management organizations strive to extend their influence throughout the company and impact the bottom line with ever fewer resources, some are turning to managed service providers (MSPs) to make the best use of their organizations' time and talents. MSPs, sometimes called consolidators, can be used for certain spend categories, such as energy or telecommunications, that traditionally have been difficult for mid-sized procurement organizations to manage effectively.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association welcomed Mexico as a negotiating partner in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The TPP is a prospective regional free trade agreement among Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States.

The results of a recent survey conducted by the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in conjunction with an international trade association have served to underline the challenges associated with thefts of recyclable metals from containers.

The EPA plans to propose tougher air quality pollution standards for fine particulate matter, or soot, a microscopic particle released from power plants, factories and vehicles.

Manufacturers can generate new value, minimize costs, and increase operational stability by focusing on four broad areas: production, product design, value recovery - and supply-circle management.

University College, the college of professional and continuing studies at the University of Denver, is offering a new major in global commerce and transportation, as part of its Bachelor of Arts Completion Program (BACP).

Dr. Chaman L. Jain, professor of economics in the Tobin College of Business at St. John's University, talks about how the demand-planning function has changed in his decades of observing global supply chains.

The British International Freight Association is seeking entries for its annual Freight Service Awards competition, celebrating 24 years of recognising the best in the UK freight forwarding industry.