The producer price index increased 0.6% in February compared to the previous month and 1.6% from a year earlier, the largest annual move in six months, according to Labor Department data. Energy prices were a major driver of inflation, with wholesale gasoline prices rising 6.8%. Core producer prices, which exclude food and energy, advanced 0.3% from the month before and 2% from a year ago.
Orgill is upgrading its 30-year-old distribution center in Tifton, Ga., to include a Geek+ Shelf-to-Person PopPick robot system, overhauled product flow, 25% more space and AI integration. "We are taking advantage of every opportunity to build technology and new distribution techniques into this facility that will help us create efficiencies for both our team and our customers. The investments we are making in this facility will ultimately help us get products to our customers more efficiently," said Executive Vice President Randy Williams.
Retail sales climbed 0.6% in February, with gains posted in eight out of the 13 categories in the data, according to the Commerce Department. Meanwhile, the department revised January sales downward to show a decline of 1.1% for that month.
The Biden administration announced its National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy, a four-phase 16-year plan to develop electric and hydrogen truck charging and fueling stations for 12,000 miles of freight-heavy interstates, along with larger ports and states with policies encouraging zero-emission vehicles. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Departments of Energy and Transportation, say the ultimate goal is a "ubiquitous and affordable charging and hydrogen refueling network for zero-emission trucks by 2040."
UK-based warehouse data and automation specialists Dexory have launched the DexoryView autonomous mobile robot, which it believes will transform warehouse operations. Unlike traditional product-moving AMRs, Dexory's system uses sensors and imaging to create digital replicas of warehouses, providing real-time inventory visibility and pinpointing stock errors, damaged goods and space inefficiencies.
B2B sales require varied approaches to conversion like omnichannel sales teams, continuously upgrading or automating technology, curation of data analytics that help craft hyper-personalized messages, differentiated strategies for individual third-party marketplaces and an eye for ecommerce across the entire department, according to research by McKinsey. As many B2B buyers move to purchase online, it's imperative to have smooth transitions from different sales funnels to the final sale point.
Ten states last week sued the Securities and Exchange Commission over its climate risk disclosure rules and nine additional states have now entered the fray with a separate challenge. "Not only will this mandate impose costly red tape on businesses, but it will devastate our supply chain and hurt Iowa family farms," said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird.
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