Category Archives: consumer

AI Use trends across businesses – who is using it, and how are they improving productivity ?

Analysis of a survey of over 1.2 million firms (NBER # 32319) in a paper titled “Tracking Firm use of AI in Real Time” suggests that the fraction of firms reporting use of AI grew from 3.2% to a projected … Continue reading

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Treating patient’s at home: good idea or potential liability?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (August 13, 2024) titled “Hospital’s New Push: Treat Patients in Their Homes”, describes the over 23,000 Medicare treated at home through April this year. The rules require the patients to be less than … Continue reading

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Dynamic Pricing in restaurants and Impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal on March 10, 2024, titled ” Surge Pricing is coming to More Menus near you”, describes dynamic pricing at restaurants to reflect demand increases, estimated to increase revenues between 4 and 6%. The … Continue reading

Posted in Capacity, competitiveness, consumer, Cost, Operations Management, Prices, Service Operations, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Organic Cotton certification fraud

An article in the New York Times ( February 13, 2022) titled “That Organic Cotton T-Shirt May Not Be as Organic as You Think”, describes the certification challenges for organic cotton in India. Despite commanding $ 25 to $ 46 … Continue reading

Posted in Collaboration, competitiveness, consumer, labeling, product | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Benefits of customer flexibility during the pandemic

An article in ASCM Insights (https://tinyurl.com/yyneu93x) describes reasons why retail grocery customers might be stockpiling.  The article suggests that retailers should deal with each reason separately, with appropriate steps to reassure customers.    There is also discussion of smaller retailers … Continue reading

Posted in Capacity, consumer, Cost, delivery, logistics, product, retailers | Tagged , , , , | 106 Comments

Hardware Chain Growth through the pandemic

An article in the Wall Street Journal (August 16, 2020 https://tinyurl.com/yxuaxu64) describes the impact of the pandemic on hardware chains such as Home Depot and Lowes.   From cancelling customer attracting, but low margin, promotions to ensure social distancing, to reordering … Continue reading

Posted in Capacity, competitiveness, congestion, consumer, Coordination, Cost, logistics, retailers, supplier, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 49 Comments

Growing retail logistics options for customers causing confusion ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (November 18,2018) titled “Black Friday Shoppers Beware:Online Shopping Gets More Complicated” describes the many options for shopping and pickup at retail stores. At Target there are 6 options from store purchase, to curbside … Continue reading

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Tesla acquiring trucking capacity to complete deliveries by December 31

An article in the TechCrunch site titled “Tesla acquires trucking companies to squeeze in more deliveries before Dec. 31” describes the federal electric vehicle tax credit of $7,500 that winds down by Dec 31st, and is available only to customers … Continue reading

Posted in Capacity, car, consumer, Cost, delivery, emb2020, logistics, manufacturer, Tesla | Tagged , , , , , | 31 Comments

Should the lower shipping prices from China to the US end ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (October 17, 2018) titled “No More Mail Privilege for China as U.S. to end deep discounts in packages” describes the classification of China as a “tier 3” country while the U.S. is a … Continue reading

Posted in consumer, Cost, delivery, Global Contexts, logistics, manufacturer, Prices | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Walmart’s new technology intensive warehouse that is 40% more efficient

An article in finance.yahoo.com titled “Walmart’s grocery warehouse worker of the future will have a STEM background” discussed the new warehouse in Shafter, California that will use automation to get eggs, diary and frozen goods to warehouse employees pick rather … Continue reading

Posted in consumer, Cost, disruption, logistics, Operations Management, retailers, technology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 55 Comments