Category Archives: consumer

Organic Cotton certification fraud

Posted on February 24, 2022 by aviyer2010

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

Posted on August 19, 2020 by aviyer2010

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

Posted on August 19, 2020 by aviyer2010

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 ?

Posted on November 18, 2018 by aviyer2010

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 →

Posted in consumer, Cost, delivery, Ecommerce, logistics, retailers, Service Operations | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tesla acquiring trucking capacity to complete deliveries by December 31

Posted on November 15, 2018 by aviyer2010

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 ?

Posted on October 21, 2018 by aviyer2010

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

Posted on October 21, 2018 by aviyer2010

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

Preventing child labor use for cobalt mining

Posted on October 21, 2018 by aviyer2010

An article in Fortune (September 1, 2018) titled “Blood, Sweat and Batteries” describes artisanal mining by over 10,000 children using hand tools in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the source of 67% of the world supply of cobalt. With … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Capacity, cobalt, consumer, Cost, Global Contexts, mining, Prices | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Is V-commerce by Fanatics the future of retail?

Posted on October 21, 2018 by aviyer2010

An article in Fortune (September 1, 2018) titled “Licensed to Thrill”, describes the company Fanatics that has exclusive rights to sell professional basketball and football clothing. The company describes V-commerce as a combination of manufacturing, logistics and technology capacity. Fanatics … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer, Cost, delivery, Ecommerce, retailers, technology | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Reducing complexity and returning to profitability at PSA’s Opel division

Posted on October 11, 2018 by aviyer2010

An article in BloombergBusinessweek (August 29, 2018) titled “The Stunning One-Year turnaround of GM’s German castoff” describes a focus on reducing part variety. The article describes reduction of the 57 possible infotainment systems for the Corsa hatchback to 10. It … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer, Cost, Operations Management, productivity, Variety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment