Responsible Labor Initiative
Earlier this week, the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition announced its plans to introduce a new multi-industry, multi-stakeholder initiative. Its aim is to find the root of forced labor in global supply chains and uncover the continuing exploitation of vulnerable workers by recruiters and labor agents. The Responsible Labor Initiative will explore all aspects of a worker’s journey. It will be taking a holistic approach, creating a forum for companies to work and act collectively, due to existing programs being uneven across industries and regions.
Approximately 21 million people throughout supply chains worldwide are working under forced conditions. Some foreign migrant workers are being exploited through force, fraud and debt bondage. The initiative wants to accelerate change and start a labor market transformation through a harmonized approach across multiple industries. Its advisory group includes an abundance of organizations supporting human rights and the right to work, as well as companies such as Intel and Walmart. Its main contributors are that of electronic and automotive companies, however this will expand in the future to maximize intel in key areas.
To read more on the initiative, click here.
Gonna pop some tags? Do it the ‘smart’ way
On Tuesday, the e-commerce retailer ThredUP announced the launch of its first brick-and-mortar ‘smart’ thrift store in San Marcos, Texas. The store will use data analytics to determine what brands and styles are currently trending in the area to update inventory accordingly. ThredUp will use mobile technology to send customers notifications, telling them when their favorite brands, styles and products are in store, as well as if they are in their size. This especially caters to younger generations, such as millennials. Staff will also be able to personalize a store visit by pre-stocking a dressing room with the customers’ clothes interests based on their online browsing.
This provides a more personalized shopping experience for the customer and helps to encourage purchasing through unique customer service. It benefits the secondhand thrift store culture, helping customers to avoid scouring for products that may not be there or not in their size. Furthermore, this expands on the preferred ‘touch and try out’ before purchasing method that is particularly relevant in this market. ThredUP plans on opening four additional stores by the end of 2017.
Find out more on the store here.
Cyberattack!
On Tuesday, global firms experienced a complete outage after a cyberattack disrupted computers across Europe and the USA. Companies are still trying to minimize the impact on deliveries to retailers as much as possible. Maersk, a key cog in the world’s global supply chain, was the most affected and has had to close many of its ports around the world due to the disruption. It also prevented the company from taking new bookings or offering quotes at affected terminals. This resulted in the use of a third-party platform to perform such tasks. The process of coordinating ship arrivals, unloading containers and then scheduling storage requires a high degree of coordination and efficiency, which has been thrown into upheaval.
The longer this goes on, the more the entire logistics chain will be disrupted, as not all tasks can be performed manually. Early Wednesday morning, the origin of the virus was still unknown. Acting as a type of ‘ransomware’, the bug locked data, spread quickly from computer system to system and ultimately, asked for money as ransom.
Read more on the cyberattack here.
Have a great Weekend!
Header Photo: Toria/shutterstock.com
