- Non-Manufacturing Grows for 72nd Straight Month. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that non-manufacturing activity continues to point towards growth. ISM uses the NMI index to measure non-manufacturing growth and found the economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector continued to grow especially in finance/insurance, real estate/rental, agriculture, health care and public administration.
- Customer Expectations Overpower Retailer Capabilities. The click and collect model is a blend of online convenience and in-person shopping. As many as 42% of consumers have tried the click and collect method, but stores are having trouble with execution. Retailers aren’t traditionally set up for real-time inventory and customer fulfillment.
- PLS Opens 2 More Office Locations. In January, PLS opened its 12th branch office in Charlotte, North Carolina. In February, PLS opened its 13th branch office in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both offices opened to better support the company’s shipping and carrier partners.
- Perishable & Reefer Market Grows. Major shipping lines have ordered more temperature-controlled containers. Drewry Shipping Consultants say the global capacity of reefer container shipments is expected to grow by 20% over the next 3 years. (Learn more about Temperature-Sensitive Shipments)
- Diesel Prices Increase. The price of a gallon of diesel fuel increased by 0.3 cents during the week of February 15. The price is still at the lowest point in more than 11 years and is 91.7 cents cheaper than it was during the same week, one year ago. The slight increase ends the long streak of diesel price drops.
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