Day Two of RILA Logistics Opens with a Look into the Future of Globalization
Orlando, FL – Day two of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) 2011 Logistics Conference opened with a cutting-edge look into the future of globalization with a keynote address from Walter Kemmsies, chief economist for Moffatt & Nichol.
Kemmsies addressed how global economic changes are likely to affect freight movement in 2011 and why outsourcing and emerging near-sourcing trends will be a major driver of modifying global supply chains.
“The effects of the economy have been felt up-and-down the supply chain,” said Casey Chroust, executive vice president of retail operations. “As a result, the future will likely see a continued shift in the global sourcing landscape and the rise of near-shoring as a viable alternative. Walter’s thoughts were well-timed and provided an interesting look into the challenges and opportunities retailer supply chain executives will face as they prepare for the next five years.”
Later in the day senior retail executives from Brown Shoe and Office Depot discussed today’s consumer and the integration of ecommerce and brick and mortar stores. For today’s retailer, multi-channel customers are often the most profitable and loyal, with larger shopping baskets and more frequent visits. This session reviewed the challenges that come with handling multi-channel distribution.
Continuing the dialogue on the shift in global sourcing was a panel discussion on the impact of the expansion of the Panama Canal, which is scheduled for completion in 2014. Certain to change global freight movement, the panel discussed how the infrastructure improvements will benefit us and what other value added services and opportunities could be on the horizon for retailers.
Finally, turning the focus to the legislative and regulatory backdrop in the U.S. was Mark Halperin, Co-author of Game Change and Editor-at-Large & Senior Political Analyst for TIME Magazine. Halperin gave insight into the effect that the new congressional class will have on legislative strategy and how Capitol Hill decisions could affect retailers and what it may mean for their day-to-day operations.
RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
Kemmsies addressed how global economic changes are likely to affect freight movement in 2011 and why outsourcing and emerging near-sourcing trends will be a major driver of modifying global supply chains.
“The effects of the economy have been felt up-and-down the supply chain,” said Casey Chroust, executive vice president of retail operations. “As a result, the future will likely see a continued shift in the global sourcing landscape and the rise of near-shoring as a viable alternative. Walter’s thoughts were well-timed and provided an interesting look into the challenges and opportunities retailer supply chain executives will face as they prepare for the next five years.”
Later in the day senior retail executives from Brown Shoe and Office Depot discussed today’s consumer and the integration of ecommerce and brick and mortar stores. For today’s retailer, multi-channel customers are often the most profitable and loyal, with larger shopping baskets and more frequent visits. This session reviewed the challenges that come with handling multi-channel distribution.
Continuing the dialogue on the shift in global sourcing was a panel discussion on the impact of the expansion of the Panama Canal, which is scheduled for completion in 2014. Certain to change global freight movement, the panel discussed how the infrastructure improvements will benefit us and what other value added services and opportunities could be on the horizon for retailers.
Finally, turning the focus to the legislative and regulatory backdrop in the U.S. was Mark Halperin, Co-author of Game Change and Editor-at-Large & Senior Political Analyst for TIME Magazine. Halperin gave insight into the effect that the new congressional class will have on legislative strategy and how Capitol Hill decisions could affect retailers and what it may mean for their day-to-day operations.
RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.