United Natural Foods will begin using Relex Solutions' cloud-based procurement platform to create data insights to reduce spoilage, connect with suppliers and improve inventory control. The project is expected to be operational in 12 to 18 months. "We're continuing to implement cutting-edge technology to improve the customer and supplier experience while increasing operating efficiency," said Chief Operating Officer Erin Horvath.
Gypsum Management & Supply's fiscal fourth-quarter profit decreased 1.2% in the company's fiscal fourth quarter, but sales rose 1.2% from last year to $1.3 billion thanks to "strong levels of multi-family construction activity, continued recovery in commercial construction and resilient pricing," according to the company. Full-year net sales increased 15% and profit grew 21.8% compared to last year, despite "significantly lower steel prices and soft single-family residential activity in the back half of our fiscal year," President and CEO John Turner Jr. said.
Sobeys parent company Empire reported fiscal fourth-quarter sales of $5.6 billion, 5.5% less than a year ago, while fiscal 2023 sales rose 1% to $23.1 billion, reflecting higher sales of fuel and benefits from Project Horizon, a three-year initiative to increase the Canadian grocery company's omnichannel presence and market share. Empire expanded its FreshCo banner in western Canada as part of the project, and predicts moderation in food inflation and suppliers' requests to increase costs, CEO Michael Medline said.
There are opportunities for sustainability in cold chain logistics, for both food and in medical supplies such as vaccines, and the answer could be software that monitors temperatures and internal conditions to reduce spoilage and medical waste, writes Powerfleet's Jim Gripp. Software can also be used in the transportation side to improve sustainability, with EV vehicles and traditional vehicles, to determine best routes and fleet size.
Artificial intelligence can help in supply chain management by reducing costs and increasing efficiency, but there are data privacy and security concerns, as AI relies on data and security is crucial for ensuring the data is kept private. Embracing AI will help organizations stay competitive and reshape the industry, Oksana Smith writes.
Socially responsible marketing gives business-to-business companies a competitive advantage, marketing expert Ray Sheehan writes. Five steps will build an effective campaign: research, specific and realistic goals, a message tailored to the campaign's purpose, measurement and evaluation, and authenticity.
If you have a habit of crossing your arms, fidgeting, not making eye contact or slumping your shoulders while interacting with your team, your body language may be communicating disinterest, nervousness or lack of confidence, writes Lolly Daskal. "To improve your nonverbal communication, try to focus on being still and present in your body. This can help you to appear more confident and in control," Daskal recommends.
If you have a colleague or direct report who unleashes a barrage of criticism and excuses when confronted with poor work or a disruptive behavior, keep stating the goal of your conversation, acknowledge their upset and set a different time to talk if the conversation goes in circles, writes Liz Kislik. "It may seem quite harsh to use this broken-record approach, but the point is to show that you are not overwhelmed by their spewing and that you can maintain focus on the point of the difficult conversation you're trying to have," Kislik writes.
