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
100 000 dollar jobs
Stocks Drop as Blowout Jobs Report Increases Rate-Hike Jitters
Stocks are falling after hiring in January blew past expectations, raising concerns that the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates aggressively to prevent the economy from overheating. The U.S. added 467,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department reported today. That crushed economists' expectations for 150,000 hires, driving stocks lower despite Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN ) gaining after a solid earnings report . Key Takeaways Stocks are falling for a second day after January hiring crushed expectations and raised concerns that the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates aggressively. Amazon is gaining around 10% and Snap more than 40% after reporting solid earnings growth. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note jumped past 1.9%, its highest in more than a year. Crude oil soared past $90 per barrel. The Dow Jones Industrial Average , S&P 500 , and Nasdaq indexes are all lower, following big declines in each yesterday. Crude oil soared past $90 per … [Read more...] about Stocks Drop as Blowout Jobs Report Increases Rate-Hike Jitters
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
China to improve services for graduate job seekers
BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities has pledged improved career services for university graduates, amid efforts to bolster employment. Vice premiers Sun Chunlan and Hu Chunhua, who are both members of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks on Monday at a teleconference on employment of university graduates. The meeting urged public career service providers to play an exemplary role in boosting employment, deciding that more vocational trainings and internships would be offered to university graduates. While vowing support for flexible employment and entrepreneurship, the meeting called for efforts to maintain the orderly operation of the job market and safeguard job seekers' legitimate rights and interests. The authorities will encourage companies to expand recruitment by providing social security subsidies, start-up loans and tax and fee cuts, and will implement favorable policies for graduates seeking grassroots … [Read more...] about China to improve services for graduate job seekers
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
Stocks Fluctuate to Begin Month as Investors Digest Data, Earnings
U.S. equity markets wavered to begin the new month, reflecting investors' uncertainty over issues ranging from the impact of corporate earnings to how Fed rate hikes will shape the economy this year. UPS Inc. ( UPS ) is the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 on its earnings news. Better-than-expected earnings are also lifting shares of Exxon Mobil Corp. ( XOM ). That’s boosting shares of other energy companies as well. Shares of cruise lines, airlines, and other travel-related companies are advancing on decreasing omicron variant case numbers. Key Takeaways U.S. equity markets wavered to begin the new month, with all three major indexes fluctuating between green and red. The quit rate fell for the first time since Dec. 2020. Ups and downs reflect investors' uncertainty over issues ranging from the impact of corporate earnings, Fed rate hikes, and ongoing supply chain and pandemic concerns. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note has widened and narrowed … [Read more...] about Stocks Fluctuate to Begin Month as Investors Digest Data, Earnings
Market Wrap: Powell Sticks to Rate Hike, Ford Announces EV Move, AutoZone Soars
Federal Reserve President Jerome Powell told Congress while the Fed still plans to hike interest rates to combat inflation, the economic impact from the invasion of Ukraine remains “highly uncertain,” and policymakers will need to be “nimble” in responding to new information. Key Takeaways Stocks are moving higher, gaining back ground lost yesterday, despite the Federal Reserve saying interest rates will move higher this month. ADP reported private-sector jobs jumped more than anticipated last month. Ford, Chevron, Hewlett-Packard Enterprises, and AutoZone are among companies gaining today. Solid economic and corporate news is edging stocks higher. All three major indices are up more than 1%, clawing back some of yesterday's losses. Almost all of the stocks in the Dow are rising. Shares of Chevron Corp. ( CVX ) and other energy companies are higher as the fighting in Ukraine increases concerns about disruptions in oil supplies. Oil futures reached the highest … [Read more...] about Market Wrap: Powell Sticks to Rate Hike, Ford Announces EV Move, AutoZone Soars
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
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