US Rail Freight Declines in May As Coal Petroleum Demand Wanes

US Rail Freight Declines in May As Coal Petroleum Demand Wanes

Data from the Association of American Railroads shows a decline in both U.S. rail carloads and intermodal units for the week ending May 21. Significant decreases were observed in coal and petroleum products shipments, while miscellaneous carloads, nonmetallic minerals, and motor vehicles & parts saw increases. The article analyzes the multiple factors contributing to the freight volume decline, including economic slowdown and shifting consumer demand. It suggests strategies such as diversifying business operations, improving service quality, and embracing technological innovation to address the challenges and maintain competitiveness in the rail freight industry.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Sees Carload Growth Amid Container Traffic Decline

US Rail Freight Sees Carload Growth Amid Container Traffic Decline

Recent data reveals a divergence in the US rail freight market: carload volume is increasing significantly, while container traffic is slightly declining. Coal and mineral shipments are leading the carload growth, with oil and automotive sectors facing pressure. Container transport is affected by supply chain bottlenecks and changing consumption patterns. Year-to-date, overall freight volume remains down, indicating a long road to recovery. The overall performance of North American railways is mixed. Going forward, global supply chains, consumer demand, and policy factors will collectively shape the rail freight market.

02/11/2026 Logistics
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Deloitte ASCM Launch Digital Model to Strengthen Supply Chains

Deloitte ASCM Launch Digital Model to Strengthen Supply Chains

Deloitte and ASCM jointly released the Digital Capabilities Model (DCM) for supply chain networks, aiming to help companies address challenges such as market volatility, technological innovation, and changing consumer demands, and build more resilient and adaptable supply chain networks. Seamlessly integrated with the SCOR Digital Standard, DCM views the supply chain as a dynamic and interconnected system. It offers application scenarios such as investment strategies, transformation plans, and objective assessments, helping companies achieve digital transformation. This model provides a framework for assessing and improving digital capabilities across the entire supply chain.

Trustwell TPG Rise Boost Food Supply Chain Transparency

Trustwell TPG Rise Boost Food Supply Chain Transparency

Trustwell received investment from TPG Rise to jointly build a transparent and safe food supply chain. The Trustwell Connect platform assists food companies in their digital transformation, enhancing food safety and efficiency. This investment will enable Trustwell to further expand its platform and reach, helping more food businesses improve traceability and build consumer trust. The focus remains on leveraging technology to create a more resilient and secure food system, from farm to table. Ultimately, Trustwell aims to empower consumers with greater confidence in the safety and origin of their food.

Luxury Retailer Saks Global Struggles With Mounting Debt

Luxury Retailer Saks Global Struggles With Mounting Debt

Saks Fifth Avenue's parent company, Saks Global Group, is facing a potential bankruptcy crisis after failing to make bond interest payments. The company is burdened by debt, declining performance, and executive departures. This situation reflects the broader challenges facing traditional department stores, including competition from e-commerce, inflationary pressures, and changing consumer habits. Digital transformation is now critical. The future of the group is uncertain, and the path to restructuring will be challenging. The crisis highlights the vulnerability of even established luxury retailers in the current economic climate.

Brands Must Rebuild Trust in Aidriven Markets

Brands Must Rebuild Trust in Aidriven Markets

GEO reshapes brand trust in the AI era. Businesses need to build closed loops of authentic information and adapt to the evolving content ecosystem. Brand trust should be treated as a core strategic asset. Companies must prioritize transparency and ethical AI practices to foster genuine connections with consumers. Leveraging GEO-specific data can enhance personalization and relevance, further solidifying trust. By focusing on building and maintaining brand trust, businesses can navigate the complexities of the AI landscape and achieve sustainable success. This requires a proactive and consumer-centric approach.

Fedex UPS Expand Lastmile Networks Amid Ecommerce Surge

Fedex UPS Expand Lastmile Networks Amid Ecommerce Surge

The booming e-commerce sector is driving logistics giants like FedEx and UPS to accelerate the expansion of their distribution center networks to meet the growing consumer demand for fast delivery. By establishing large hub centers in suburban areas and deploying smaller distribution stations in urban cores, coupled with technology enablement, logistics companies are striving to improve operational efficiency and service quality to win the 'last mile' competition. This includes optimizing routes, utilizing real-time tracking, and exploring alternative delivery methods to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.

Ecommerce Demands Sturdier Packaging for Bulky Goods

Ecommerce Demands Sturdier Packaging for Bulky Goods

E-commerce growth is driving online sales of large items, challenging traditional packaging methods. This article emphasizes the need for the industry to improve drop protection, evaluate novel packaging approaches, and balance customization with standardization. Packaging quality directly impacts consumer experience and supply chain efficiency, with logistics giants already increasing investment in large-item transportation. Packaging companies should seize this opportunity by establishing clear processes to gain a competitive edge. The development of industry standards is crucial for ensuring consistent quality and performance in e-commerce packaging for large items.

Facebook Ad Strategies to Boost Backtoschool Sales

Facebook Ad Strategies to Boost Backtoschool Sales

This article provides an in-depth analysis of back-to-school market trends, highlighting its significance as the second largest shopping season after Christmas. Through data analysis, it reveals consumer price sensitivity and a surge in demand for electronics. YinoLink offers Facebook advertising strategies, including pre-heating, scaling, long-tail planning, and Reels short video marketing. It also details interest-based audience targeting strategies, empowering sellers to succeed during the back-to-school season. The strategies aim to help businesses effectively reach their target demographic and maximize their return on investment during this crucial period.

Hostess Revives Brand with Supply Chain Overhaul

Hostess Revives Brand with Supply Chain Overhaul

Hostess Brands achieved a successful revival from near bankruptcy through supply chain reshaping. Key strategies included embracing a DTC model to accelerate inventory turnover, driving innovation to create seasonal bestsellers, reshaping the S&OP process with a consumer-centric approach, and optimizing demand forecasting through data-driven insights. This case inspires businesses to prioritize consumers, embrace digitalization, foster continuous innovation, adapt flexibly, and operate leanly, transforming the supply chain into a cornerstone of corporate success. The focus on data and direct connection with consumers proved crucial for their turnaround.