Tag Archives: Trends

The Food vs Fuel tradeoff,biofuel regulation and global impact

Posted on April 7, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (April 7,2011) describes the impact of rules regarding biofuel use (36 billion gallons by 2022 in the US, similar goals in China, India, Indonesia and Thailand).  The article focuses on cassava, a root … Continue reading →

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Wal-Mart Assortment, gas prices and one stop shopping

Posted on March 21, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (March 21, 2011) describes adjustments to Wal-Mart’s strategies to increase the number of shoppers who do one-stop shopping at the store. Wal-Mart’s US chief, William Simon, claims that as gas prices increase, shoppers will be … Continue reading →

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New retail outlets for book publishers – apparel, hardware stores

Posted on February 28, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (February 28, 2011) describes book publishers use of apparel retailers (Marc Jacobs, Kitson, Urban Outfitters), hardware stores (Lowe’s Pro Bass Shops) as outlets for book sales.  The decline of Borders, and the increased focus on … Continue reading →

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Emissions Rules Relaxation and Industry Impact

Posted on February 23, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (February 23, 2011) describes the current EPA emissions rules – rolling back requirements for industrial boilers, incinerators etc.  The impact is to permit many plants, municipalities, universities etc to reduce their costs of compliance – … Continue reading →

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Fewer car dealers, higher dealer sales, how about the customer

Posted on February 23, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (February 23, 2011) describes growth in demand at car dealerships – the result of the auto recovery but also the elimination of about 20 % of the dealers the last few years and elimination of … Continue reading →

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Rare Earths Supply Challenges

Posted on February 19, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (February 19,2011, B5) summarizes a report published by the American Physical Society (http://aps.org/policy/reports/popa-reports/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=236337) on energy critical materials mainly rare earths (tellurium, gallium. indium, germanium, lithium). They highlight a few issues (a) these rare earths are … Continue reading →

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Adjusting Runway designs to new material cost realities

Posted on February 17, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (February 17, 2011, D1) describes changes in runway designs to accommodate the rising prices of cotton, silk etc.  One designer describes changes in material (leather to crinkled satin), length of the dress, number of bows … Continue reading →

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US Medical Device Approval Delays and Global SUpply Chain Impact

Posted on February 10, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (February 10, 2011, B1) describes delays in FDA approval of medical devices and their impact on consumers, manufacturers and jobs.  A few key issues (a) FDA approval requires the manufacturer to show the device is … Continue reading →

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Growing India China Trade Flows

Posted on February 10, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the International Herald Tribune (February 9, 2011) describes the growing trade flows between China and India, projected to grow by 62 % by 2015, after growing by a factor of 20 in the last 10 years.  Air … Continue reading →

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Pentagon Procurement opposes mergers

Posted on February 10, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (February 9, 2011) reports that the procurement officials at the Pentagon will oppose mergers of defense suppliers. The belief is that competition has to be maintained to increase the US government’s buying power.  The Pentagon … Continue reading →

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