Explosive Black Friday and Cyber Monday
This past week brought out the bargain hunter in all of us. Black Friday and Cyber Monday both succeeded in enticing customers once again this year. Black Friday accumulated $3.34 billion in online sales, a 21.6% growth compared to 2015 sales. Although, Brick and Mortar sales fell by 10.4%, due to the rise in online visits and potentially Thanksgiving food comas. Stores also saw a decrease in foot traffic and the number of in-store transactions.
It has been reported that sales on Monday increased by 12.1% when compared to the previous year’s sales, reaching $3.45 billion. Mobile contributed to 53% of online visits, showing a growing consumer preference for mobile over desktops. Retailers did, however, begin deals earlier this year to encourage spending. It led some retailers such as Macy’s and Target to renaming the event to ‘Cyber Week’. In addition, it is the first time Black-Friday’s online sales have come close to that of Cyber Mondays.
Read more of the facts and figures here.
Audi brings more wearables to logistics
“ProGlove” is the new wearable technology to be used in the logistics industry. Audi announced, after a four-week pilot program, employees are using ten of these gloves at its Ingolstadt plant in Germany. The glove is embedded with a barcode scanner which is activated by pressing the thumb and first finger together. It improves efficiency and reduces physical effort. Workers are able to have both hands free at any given time, eliminating the need to repeatedly pick up bulky barcode scanners. It therefore quickens the process as a whole. Battery charge is designed to last an entire working shift and can be fully recharged in up to 2 hours.
The glove has been designed in a simple manner. It is yet another development for the innovation-focused logistics industry. Its success has led to Audi expanding the use of the glove throughout other areas of production, creating further pilot programs.
Further information on the wearables can be found here.
Palm oil supply chain abuse
Wilmar, the largest processor and manufacturer of palm oil, has been accused of labor abuse within its operations in Indonesia. It controls 43% of global palm oil trade and supplies global consumer companies such as Nestle, Unilever and Proctor & Gamble. These accusations were investigated and released by Amnesty International. Children as young as eight were found to be working on the plantations in hazardous conditions without adequate safety equipment. In addition, over 120 employees were interviewed and stated they work long hours for low pay. There are strict laws on labor abuse, however they are poorly enforced by the Indonesian government.
The use of this specific palm oil can be traced back to nine multinational companies. The companies involved have given statements against the labor abuse in their supply chains. They will all look further into the matter and Nestle in particular will work with Wilmar to improve its traceability.
For the full article click here.
Have a great weekend!