The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the landscape of the workplace. In some cases, it has given employees desired flexibility and choice, and in others it has created new stressors and hardships. An unfortunate theme of 2020 was that there weren’t enough people working due to the economic downturn posed by the pandemic. And now…
While economies throughout the world appear poised for a strong recovery, shipping companies still face significant supply chain disruptions and bottlenecks. Demand for product deliveries continues to surge even as the global pandemic recedes. The Port of Los Angeles logged its busiest month ever in May, handling more than one million shipping containers. As this record volume of cargo overwhelms dock workers, truckers, warehouses, and railroads, supply chain companies struggle with costs associated with delays,…
The labor shortage continues to make headlines as the American economy struggles with the effects of a pandemic showing signs of resurgence. “Help wanted” signs adorn shop and restaurant windows in most communities. Job fairs showcasing dozens of companies have seen poor jobseeker turnout. CEOs around the country complain they simply can’t find enough supply chain workers to meet growing consumer demand. The explanations for this shortage…
The outlook for the economy looks rosy, fueled by increasing vaccine rollouts and the reopening of communities and businesses. Even the much publicized labor shortage may be a sign of recovery from the pandemic, as many workers leave jobs to find better opportunities elsewhere. Profits for companies are expected to grow by an average of 4% in the next 12 months, while revenues are expected to climb by 5%. Both…
Vaccines and warmer weather continue to steadily reopen the world economy. There are increasing crowds in brick-and-mortar stores, restaurants, and other public places of business, and consumer confidence appears to be surging. Meanwhile, analysts predict digital buying habits shaped by the COVID pandemic are here to stay, meaning we can still expect robust demand for…
Consumers may not be aware of it, but most companies engaged in shipping products are likely struggling with rising logistics costs. On the one hand, the COVID economy has led to booms such as warehouse construction, as consumers increasingly purchase goods online and expect delivery right to their doorsteps. But the costs of business logistics have also risen as strains on…