Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Supply chains and logistics were thrown into chaos during the pandemic, creating a number of challenges including trade disruptions, port congestion, and soaring freight rates. Brands selling and manufacturing furniture especially felt the strain caused by these delays. Delays and cancellations led to backlogs. Port bottlenecks emerged. But not all retailers were affected in the same way. For furniture brand Castlery , long lead times are one reason supply chain management has always been a priority for the business. “In furniture, where the products are not only bulky but non-standard size, efficient supply chain management is critical to ensure a seamless customer experience in terms of fulfillment and timely deliver,” said Declan Ee, Castlery’s co-founder. The past two years have been challenging for the furniture retail industry, and many manufacturers still haven't caught up with their backlogs. In … [Read more...] about How Furniture Brands And Manufacturers Are Coping With Ongoing Supply Chain Strain
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Dollar starts week on strong footing on firm safe-haven bid
HONG KONG: The dollar started the week just off a 20-year high against peers on Monday, as investors sought safety due to fears about global growth while cryptocurrency markets appeared to find some stability after last week's turmoil. The dollar index was at 104.54, having briefly crossed the 105 level on Friday, its highest since December 2002, after six successive weeks of gains. Investors have flocked to the safe-haven currency on concerns about the U.S. Federal Reserve's ability to dampen inflation without causing a recession, along with worries about slowing growth arising from the Ukraine crisis and the economic effects of China's zero-COVID-19 policy. "Broad USD strength is being supported by a mounting global growth concern," said Barclays analysts. They said events to watch this week included U.S. retail and production data due Tuesday, as well as public remarks from several Fed officials. "Focus will be on any potential reiteration/pushback on the notion that … [Read more...] about Dollar starts week on strong footing on firm safe-haven bid
The Secret Ingredient to Finding Your Next Million-Dollar Innovation Idea
Companies inattentive to innovation get left behind--or worse, fail altogether. While those of us over 40 fondly remember starting our weekends with a trip to the video store, for example, the experience pales in comparison to conveniently streaming blockbuster entertainment from the comfort of your couch. While hailing a cab in New York City was fun the first time, there's nothing like the certainty of watching the map on your screen as a dedicated driver heads your way to pick you up. In other words, though one experience may have delighted us initially, a more innovative--and perhaps industry altering--option could be waiting in the wings vying for our business. Successful brands are those that out-innovate the competition. They never settle for the status quo, always seeking the next differentiator for their category. They survive in today's highly competitive landscape by continually evolving to deliver better products, better services, and--most importantly--better customer … [Read more...] about The Secret Ingredient to Finding Your Next Million-Dollar Innovation Idea
Covid Rips Through North Korea As 15 More Deaths And Nearly 300,000 New Cases Reported
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline North Korea reported 15 new Covid-19 deaths along with hundreds of thousands of new patients with “fevers,” as the country pledges to mobilize millions of health and other workers to fight its first officially acknowledged coronavirus outbreak. Key Facts According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the country reported 296,180 new infections on Sunday, pushing the country’s official case count to 820,620. The staggering surge in new cases has come after North Korea reported its first-ever Covid-19 outbreak on Thursday. Since the start of the current outbreak, North Korea has reported 42 fatalities linked to the coronavirus. The speed of the outbreak has raised concerns of a humanitarian catastrophe in the country as most of its residents are believed to be unvaccinated and its public health system is reportedly in a poor state. To help tackle the outbreak, all … [Read more...] about Covid Rips Through North Korea As 15 More Deaths And Nearly 300,000 New Cases Reported
Will Stores Be Successful During Inflation?
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Stores must understand the mood of today’s shopper in order to be successful. The mood has changed significantly in recent times, and retailers must evaluate how to shift shopping back to stores. It is more complicated than just trying to compete with the internet; the ‘does she still want to shop online’, or ‘does she want to go to a store?’ is only part of the challenge. The consumer’s urge to get out of the house is evident, and that provides an immediate opportunity for stores to find ways to tap into. For instance, shoppers for fashion often want to try on clothes and chose the right color, right fabric and have an assurance that it fits, and stores are set up to do that conveniently. In contrast, during the pandemic I am told that many customers forced to shop online bought two (or three) sizes to insure the proper fit. The rest were returned for credit. That process has hassles that an in-store shopper can avoid. … [Read more...] about Will Stores Be Successful During Inflation?
Stocks’ Decline Steepens on Bullard’s Rate Hike Comments, Inflation Data
Stocks fell further this afternoon as the Fed's James Bullard said he'd like to see rates a full percentage point higher by July. Bullard backs at least a half-point hike on the way to a full point gain before July, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis president told Bloomberg News in an interview today. Bullard votes on monetary policy. Key Takeaways Stocks fell further this afternoon as the Fed's James Bullard said he'd like to see rates a full percentage point higher by July. Stocks had been pulling back from the morning's steep declines as strong corporate earnings from Walt Disney and Mattel partially offset stronger-than-expected inflation data. The Consumer Price Index report released today revealed an annual inflation rate of 7.5%, higher than expected and the largest increase in 40 years. Bond yields rose to their highest since July 2019. Today's Market Movers Stocks had pulled back from the morning's steep declines, with some indexes moving … [Read more...] about Stocks’ Decline Steepens on Bullard’s Rate Hike Comments, Inflation Data
Here’s What’s New In Las Vegas For Summer 2022
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Las Vegas is back in full force. Mask mandates have been lifted and the destination is busier than ever. For those who are headed out to Sin City in the coming months, there are plenty of new spots to check out. From swanky supper clubs to a lounge inspired by Paris, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to food and drinks. There’s even a unique Cirque du Soleil show, plus many other activities for some family-friendly fun. And if you have a go-to hotel on the Strip, you may just be surprised with some recently renovated accommodations at one of your favorite properties. Below, a full look at what’s new in Las Vegas for this summer. Restaurants Delilah While Delilah opened mid-July of last year, this is one spot you can’t miss if you weren’t able to make it this past summer. The restaurant is a modern take on a supper club, but done so in a way that still recalls the 1950s. Guests descend an imperial staircase … [Read more...] about Here’s What’s New In Las Vegas For Summer 2022
Stocks Mixed as Retail Sales Drop Most in 10 Months
U.S. stocks again started the day mixed after a report said that U.S. retail and food services fell more than expected last month. Investors are also digesting a slew of quarterly earnings reports from banks, as JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( JPM ) and Citigroup Inc. ( C ) recorded income declines, while Wells Fargo & Company ( WFC ) said that profit jumped. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the S&P 500 are poised to finish the week lower, while the Nasdaq may end up higher for the week. All three major indexes finished lower yesterday. Key Takeaways Stocks are mixed again this morning, with the Nasdaq gaining and the Dow and S&P 500 falling. Retail and food sales sank 1.9% in December, marking the biggest drop in 10 months. JPMorgan and Citigroup reported falling quarterly profit, while Wells Fargo reported fourth quarter profit that beat analysts' forecasts. The University of Michigan will release its Consumer Sentiment Index for … [Read more...] about Stocks Mixed as Retail Sales Drop Most in 10 Months
Stocks Gain as Tech Rallies and Investors Await Fed Rate Decision
U.S. stock futures are moving higher, led by technology shares on the Nasdaq exchange, after another volatile day of trading ahead of an announcement from Federal Reserve policymakers about the future of monetary policy . Key Takeaways U.S. stock futures are moving sharply higher, led by technology shares on the Nasdaq exchange. Traders are awaiting a 2 p.m. Eastern time announcement from Federal Reserve policymakers about the future of monetary policy. Cryptocurrencies' rally continued. Oil again marched higher, and the dollar strengthened against the euro. Bond yields fell. Microsoft Corporation ( MSFT ) helped lead tech shares higher after reporting fiscal second quarter results that beat expectations while forecasting better-than-expected quarterly sales for the current quarter. Tesla, Inc. ( TSLA ), scheduled to report earnings after markets close today, is also gaining. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down more than 800 points … [Read more...] about Stocks Gain as Tech Rallies and Investors Await Fed Rate Decision
30 Executives’ Perspectives On Remote, Hybrid, And In-Office Work
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Whether you’re a manager at a company with 3,000 employees or three, something that leaders across industries have learned in the past two years is that giving employees more flexibility is key to retention and recruiting of new hires. The pandemic forced the majority (~70%) of the US workforce to adapt in a plethora of different ways to keep everyone healthy while still continuing to work efficiently. Companies that previously had 0% of their employees working remotely had to figure out how to seamlessly transfer all operations to a 100% digital environment. While obviously a ton of bad things came from the pandemic, that’s not to say there weren’t learnings and lessons discovered across the board. The reality is that more talent in every part of the country, and the world, now has access to greater opportunities because of the increased normalization of remote work. Gone are the days where you have to live in San Francisco … [Read more...] about 30 Executives’ Perspectives On Remote, Hybrid, And In-Office Work