Consumer Packaged Goods

E-Commerce Expert Says More Brands Should Sell on Amazon

November 18, 2016

At Gap's annual shareholder meeting this year, CEO Art Peck said, "to not be considering Amazon and others would be in my view delusional." Soon after, Lands' End announced that it would start selling some merchandise on Amazon, as the online behemoth's "credibility of being a desired fashion destination for shoppers continues to grow."

Samsung Enters Automotive Supply Chain With $8Bn Deal

November 18, 2016

Supply Management

An $8bn acquisition may turn Samsung into a major supplier to the automotive industry. The South Korean smartphone manufacturer has entered into a definitive agreement with Harman International Industries, a market-leading maker of connected-car components, to buy the firm for $112 per share in cash.

Sealed Air Debuts Packaging Technology That Eliminates Outer Boxes

November 16, 2016

Sealed Air

Sealed Air Corporation has announced the launch of its StealthWrap cartoning design, a patented micro-layer, opaque cartoning alternative which allows primary package cartons to be protected for transit without the need for outer boxes or additional packaging materials, the company says.

Stores Hustle to Get Holiday Goods As Fallout From Hanjin Mess Continues

November 16, 2016

The Los Angeles Times

The last Hanjin Shipping vessel dropping off goods in California has set sail from the Port of Long Beach, finally clearing the many ships left stranded by the company's sudden collapse two months ago. But in its wake, the giant shipping line has left a mess that retailers across the country will be sorting out for weeks.

Manufacturers Slow Investment Amid Uncertainty

November 16, 2016

Supply Management

Spending by manufacturers on plant and machinery is expected to slow over the coming two years, according to research. Manufacturers' organisation EEF said "elevated levels of uncertainty are clouding the ability of businesses to forecast future demand," though this was an underlying trend not altered by June's Brexit vote.

CIPS Risk Index Rises As Global Commitment Slides

November 15, 2016

Supply Management

Supply chain managers are facing a new wave of impediments to the flow of goods across borders, said John Glen, economist for the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, as the latest CIPS Risk Index continued to climb to levels not seen since 2013.

Organics Raising the Steaks for Food Manufacturing

November 15, 2016

Dave Gustovich, Area VP, NetSuite's Manufacturing Center of Excellence

Consumer appetites for organic foods are at an all-time high. As grocery shoppers buy more goods labeled as organic, pesticide-free, non-GMO and other attributes of healthier foods, food manufacturers need to adapt to the complex challenges of the organic products supply chain.

Sap Aims to Simplify Innovation With Update to In-Memory Database

November 14, 2016

CIO

SAP says it wants businesses struggling to keep up with the pace of innovation in its HANA in-memory database to relax as it readies a new version, HANA 2. Since introducing HANA in 2010, the supply chain software company has been releasing updates twice a year, providing customers with new capabilities but also pushing them to keep their software current to benefit from continuing support.

FootLocker, Urban Outfitters Rank Worst in E-Commerce

November 14, 2016

RIS News

To uncover which retailers have the best customer experience and which are lacking, consumer-opinion analyst Aspectiva examined the reviews of over 40 of the most popular e-commerce sites. Through the use of new AI technology, Aspectiva examined over 75,000 individual reviews, averaging over 1,800 reviews per site.

Wal-Mart Sets Environmental Plan as People Seek Green Items

November 14, 2016

The New York Times

Wal-Mart is laying out its environmental map for the next several years as it tries to satisfy customers who want green products at affordable prices. The world's largest retailer says it will seek to reduce emissions in its own operations by 18 percent by 2025, and work toward adding no waste to landfills in key markets like Canada and the United States. It also plans to be powered by 50 percent clean and renewable energy sources.

Consumer Packaged Goods

The latest supply-chain news, analysis, trends and tools for executives in the consumer packaged goods industry. Learn how consumer packaged goods companies and their suppliers around the world are managing the flow of products across all channels of the enterprise. Experts sound off on forecasting and demand planning, supply-chain visibility, logistics outsourcing, inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse management, supply-chain security, corporate social responsibility and more.