US procurement rule to expedite sustainable purchasing | OSHA cites Amazon for unsafe worker conditions | White Cap reaches deal to acquire Reno Hardware and Supply
The White House is proposing the Sustainable Products and Services procurement rule that would require federal purchasers to buy sustainably as frequently as possible using recommendations from a list of thousands of US-made products and services in the areas of recycled products, energy, water and more. The US government is aiming for net-zero emissions in its procurement efforts by 2050.
Amazon warehouses in Logan Township, N.J., and near St. Louis, Mo., face OSHA scrutiny over allegations of unsafe working conditions, inappropriate medical care and excessive quotas, with the New Jersey location facing a possible $15,625 in penalties. An Amazon spokesperson said the company plans to appeal the citation and that the rate of worker injuries worldwide has decreased since 2019.
White Cap Supply announced a deal to acquire Reno Hardware and Supply, a Southern California-based distributor of construction supplies. White Cap's third acquisition of the year so far, the three California Reno locations will become part of White Cap's Southwest region.
Marketing strategies to increase value and engagement Traditional marketing strategies are no longer sufficient in capturing consumers' attention and creating lasting connections. See how industry marketing strategies are changing to drive loyalty and sales with next-gen customer engagement. Read How
Robots and cobots both offer advantages in industrial applications, but it's important to understand the distinctions between the two. Mat Dirjish explores the key features of each, with robots excelling in functions likely to be required for extended production runs but cobots offering flexibility and safety advantages while working in conjunction with human beings.
Internship programs have evolved dramatically in recent years to be more immersive and competitive and are a great way for retailers and CPG companies to attract talent amid labor shortages and revitalize their businesses. "This pipeline of diverse young leaders brings fresh perspectives and creative problem-solving to our business," said Tony Sarsam, CEO of SpartanNash. "It was important for us to recruit young professionals from various backgrounds and as a result we have 61% diversity."
Symbiotic CEO Rick Cohen, who also chairs C&S Wholesale Grocery, has helped automate warehouses for retailers including Walmart, Albertsons and Target, and its GreenBox Systems, a joint venture with SoftBank Group, will offer to rent the robotic warehouse technology next year to expand access to small and mid-sized companies. Symbiotic is rapidly expanding, with 10 warehouses operations and more than 30 on the way, each with hundreds of autonomous bots capable of dozens of transactions each hour.
Video is now a preferred content format, writes Pomerantz Marketing's Kathy Floam-Greenspan, who sets out a five-step plan to help business-to-business marketers implement a video strategy. Floam-Greenspan explains how to design content for each buyer persona, optimize video for different social channels and which metrics should be used to measure return on investment.
Business-to-business marketers have more in common with their luxury brand counterparts than they may think, as both demand high-funnel personalization and benefit from a sense of mystique, writes Curt Schreiber, chief creative officer of VSA Partners. Incorporate luxury brand marketing tactics, such as perceived scarcity, and use technology to create memorable experiences, Schreiber advises.
