Consumer Packaged Goods

The State of Solar Power Looks Bright in 2017, Energy Department Says

November 29, 2016

By 2017, solar power capacity in the U.S. will have nearly tripled in less than three years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Combined wind, utility-scale and distributed solar power accounted for more than 66 percent of all new capacity installed in the U.S. last year.

Amazon, Target, Nike Among Social Media Top Performers, Study Shows

November 29, 2016

Consumer Goods Technology

Lithium Technologies released findings from its State of Social Engagement 2016 study that uncovers how well Fortune 1000 retail brands are engaging with consumers across social platforms. The study showed that retailers are prioritizing engagement, collaboration with influencers and online communities in order to bolster customer satisfaction, and ultimately, sales.

Survey: More Than Half of Consumers Have Started Holiday Shopping

November 29, 2016

Apparel

With the middle of the holiday season approaching and shoppers eager to take advantage of early promotions from retailers, more than half of consumers have started making dents in their holiday gift lists, according to the annual mid-season survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Walmart Shares Plan for Worldwide E-Commerce Domination

November 29, 2016

RIS News

To compete in the ongoing online retailing arms race, Walmart is bringing its sizable resources to bear to capture not only the U.S., but the global e-commerce market. CEO Doug McMillon recently laid out four priorities for the retailer as it looks to not only continue to dominate the physical retail space but make significant inroads in e-commerce: Make every day easier for busy families, operate with discipline, be the most trusted retailer, and deliver results and position the company to win.

Amcor Uses RFID Pill Dispenser to Monitor Drug Compliance

November 28, 2016

RFID Journal

Amcor Rigid Plastics, a division of Australia-based packaging company Amcor, has announced the release of an RFID-integrated pill-dispensing solution. The battery-powered system, known as the S.M.R.T bottle (the initials stand for separate, monitor, release and track), has a clock-calendar function that registers and stores the time, date and number of each dose taken. Smartphones equipped with near field communication (NFC) functionality can then read, display and transmit the information

FedEx Freight Urges Trump to Reconsider Trade Agreement Benefits

November 28, 2016

Air Cargo World

Michael Ducker, president and CEO of FedEx Freight, has joined a chorus of logistics and transportation interests calling for President-elect Donald Trump to honor America's commitment to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and bolster extant trade ties. "Trade agreements are the solution, not the problem," Ducker told the 2016 JOC Inland Distribution Conference, adding that his company was "100 percent committed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership."

Amazon Is Out to Conquer the Brick-and-Mortar Grocery Business

November 28, 2016

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Now Amazon.com, Inc. wants to be your neighborhood grocer. How's that likely to turn out?

Software Giant Is Launching 3D Print Manufacturing Labs

November 23, 2016

Apparel

SAP says it's establishing a global network of 3D printing co-innovation labs to educate and enable customers, employees and partners on the adoption of additive manufacturing as an integral part of the manufacturing production line.

137.4 Million Consumers Plan to Shop Thanksgiving Weekend

November 23, 2016

MultiChannel Merchant

With the election behind them, consumers are eager to see the deals retailers will offer for the biggest shopping weekend of the year, with 59 percent of Americans - an estimated 137.4 million people - planning to or considering shopping during Thanksgiving weekend, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Thanksgiving Day Shopping Is Here to Stay, But With Tweaks

November 22, 2016

CRM Daily

Thanksgiving Day shopping - a delight to some, an anathema to others - isn't going away, but some stores are rethinking their strategies on whether it makes sense to be open on the holiday itself. Many of the nation's major mall operators and the big retailers that anchor them, such as Toys R Us, J.C. Penney and Macy's, are sticking with what they want to be a new tradition, kicking off the holiday shopping season on Thanksgiving Day.