As we spin towards the third decade or the Neo-Millennium as I call it; logistics professionals will see changes to the face of transportation un-conceived of 20 years ago. The way we physically handle cargo will go hand in hand with technology to further guide freight movement.

It’s a digital-first world, and to keep up with the current industry pace, retail must be prepared to innovate. Innovations like artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) commerce, robotics and 3D printing have impacted all elements of the retail industry.

The holiday season is here. Vacation plans have been made, the kids are home from school, families and friends get together and more consumer goods will be purchased during these few weeks than at any other point during the year. According to PwC, Canadians will spend an average of $1,500 during the holidays, with gifts accounting for more than 40 per cent of that figure.

Rolls-Royce, one of the world's biggest aero-engine manufacturers, has launched R2 Data Labs, an organisation that it describes as "an acceleration hub for data innovation".

The Lab will use big data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, the company claims, to improve internal efficiency, as well as helping to create new services that it can offer to customers.

The future of the supply chain is now, just track leaders in the supply chain space and you will see common denominators and measures of what supply chain capabilities have delivered to the business in real growth terms and how they sold the change to the C-level. Supply chain leaders can measure the actual performance contribution that supply chain made to the business; laggards can’t and tend to measure cost reduction and efficiency in isolation and silos.

Walmart tightens its supply chains to speed delivery

Walmart’s 3Q report was an early Christmas gift for shareholders; the stock has skyrocketed since Walmart trumpeted e-commerce growth of 50% and same-store sales figures up 2.7% for the quarter, beating its expected increase of 1.8%.

In years to come, the Black Friday spectacle of throngs of shoppers scrambling past each other to ransack shelves of flat screen TVs might look very different.

Yubi and DiDi Dumplings are devoted entirely to feeding you at home, with no restaurant attached.

Chris Lucas believes consumers aren’t getting the standard of food they deserve with the current home-delivery model.

As 2018 winds down, brands need to reshape their business model. Trends demand not just improving the customer experience, but enhancing customer expectations to redefine brand positioning. Forrester’s 2018 predictions confirm that customers and markets are shifting. With the transition to digital and transparent, it’s time for a customer revolution. The future demands the effective evolution of a new supply management blueprint.

E-commerce powerhouse aims to ramp up international expansion with strategic partners Auchan Retail of France and Taiwan’s Ruentex Group