Consumer Packaged Goods

In Germany’s Car Capital, the Unthinkable: A Ban on Cars

March 1, 2018

The star of Daimler shines bright over Stuttgart, Germany — literally. The giant illuminated emblem of its most famous car, the Mercedes, towers above the main train station, greeting visitors. It is visible for miles.

Mines Linked to Child Labor Are Thriving in Rush for Car Batteries

February 28, 2018

Bloomberg

The appetite for electric cars is driving a boom in small-scale cobalt production in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where some mines have been found to be dangerous and employ child labor.

States Reach a $650M Settlement Over Exploding Takata Air Bags

February 27, 2018

The Washington Post

Virginia, Maryland and the District last week were among dozens of states to to reach a $650m settlement with the U.S subsidiary of a Japanese company that manufactured faulty air bags installed in millions of automobiles worldwide, bags that sprayed deadly shrapnel that killed at least 22 people and injured hundreds more.

In Cutting Time to Market, Toy Companies Try On Fast-Fashion’s Approach

February 23, 2018

The Wall Street Journal

Toy companies are mimicking the moves of fast-fashion retailers as they scramble to produce toys and games tied to the swift rise and fall of trends driven by social media.

Why A.I. Researchers at Google Got Desks Next to the Boss

February 23, 2018

The New York Times

If you want to understand the priorities of a technology company, first look at the seating chart.

Unilever Discloses Complete Palm Oil Supply Chain

February 22, 2018

Supply Management

Unilever hopes to start an "industry-wide movement" by publicly disclosing the suppliers and mills where it sources palm oil.

Commodities Shipper Seeks $150M to Start Digital Coin

February 22, 2018

Bloomberg

The shipping agency that struck the first freight deal settled in Bitcoin is now seeking $150m to launch its own cryptocurrency.

Fearing Tourist Drought, Cape Town Charts a New Relationship With Water

February 22, 2018

Reuters

When Markus Rohner flew into Cape Town’s airport this month, he found an unexpected line at the men’s washroom.

For This Start-Up, the Secret to Selling Wine Online Is Making It Yourself

February 21, 2018

Los Angeles Times

In 2012, a Los Angeles start-up named Club W set out to help millennials find and buy decent wine on the internet. With bottles from a few boutique vintners, a slick web platform and a simple recommendation algorithm, the company had a propitious plan.

What Stores Do With $90Bn in Merchandise Returns

February 21, 2018

The Wall Street Journal

Retailers still celebrating their strongest holiday sales in years now face the less-pleasant task of disposing of billions of dollars in returned merchandise.

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.