#Parcel Costs 2023

[just2bruce]

State of Logistics Report 2024

We now have the latest State of Logistics Report from Penske and Kearney in cooperation with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). It’s a good piece of solid research. I was most interested in two specific aspects it presents. The first topic was the total United States Business Logistics Costs (USBLC) table. Logistics costs in 2023 actually shrank by 11% over the past…

[reasonsforhope]

"Clothing tags, travel cards, hotel room key cards, parcel labels … a whole host of components in supply chains of everything from cars to clothes. What do they have in common? RFID tags.  

Every RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag contains a microchip and a tiny metal strip of an antenna. A cool 18bn of these are made – and disposed of – each year. And with demands for product traceability increasing, ironically in part because of concerns for the social and environmental health of the supply chain, that’s set to soar. 

And guess where most of these tags end up? Yup, landfill – adding to the burgeoning volumes of e-waste polluting our soils, rivers and skies. It’s a sorry tale, but it’s one in which two young graduates of Imperial College London and Royal College of Art are putting a great big green twist. Under the name of PulpaTronics, Chloe So and Barna Soma Biro reckon they’ve hit on a beguilingly simple sounding solution: make the tags out of paper. No plastic, no chips, no metal strips. Just paper, pure and ��� simple … ? Well, not quite, as we shall see. 

The apparent simplicity is achieved by some pretty cutting-edge technical innovation, aimed at stripping away both the metal antennae and the chips. If you can get rid of those, as Biro explains, you solve the e-waste problem at a stroke. But getting rid of things isn’t the typical approach to technical solutions, he adds. “I read a paper in Nature that set out how humans have a bias for solving problems through addition – by adding something new, rather than removing complexity, even if that’s the best approach.”   

And adding stuff to a world already stuffed, as it were, can create more problems than it solves. “So that became one of the guiding principles of PulpaTronics”, he says: stripping things down “to the bare minimum, where they are still functional, but have as low an environmental impact as possible”.  

...how did they achieve this magical simplification? The answer lies in lasers: these turn the paper into a conductive material, Biro explains, printing a pattern on the surface that can be ‘read’ by a scanner, rather like a QR code. It sounds like frontier technology, but it works, and PulpaTronics have patents pending to protect it. 

The resulting tag comes in two forms: in one, there is still a microchip, so that it can be read by existing scanners of the sort common within retailers, for example. The more advanced version does away with the chip altogether. This will need a different kind of scanner, currently in development, which PulpaTronics envisages issuing licences for others to manufacture. 

Crucially, the cost of both versions is significantly cheaper than existing RFID kit – making this a highly viable proposition. Then there are the carbon savings: up to 70% for the chipless version – so a no-brainer from a sustainability viewpoint too. All the same, industry interest was slow to start with but when PulpaTronics won a coveted Dezeen magazine award in late 2023, it snowballed, says So. Big brands such as UPS, DHL, Marks & Spencer and Decathlon came calling. “We were just bombarded.” Brands were fascinated by the innovation, she says, but even more by the price point, “because, like any business, they knew that green products can’t come with a premium”."

-via Positive.News, April 29, 2024

--

Note: I know it's still in the very early stages, but this is such a relief to see in the context of the environmental and human rights catastrophes associated with lithium mining and mining for rare earth metals, and the way that EVs and other green infrastructure are massively increasing the demand for those materials.

I'll take a future with paper-based, more humane alternatives for sure! Fingers crossed this keeps developing and develops well (and quickly).

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Why Millennials aren’t leaving Tiktok

I'm on tour with my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me TOMORROW NIGHT (Mar 22) in TORONTO, then SUNDAY (Mar 24) with LAURA POITRAS in NYC, then Anaheim, and more!

The news that Gen Z users have abandoned Tiktok in such numbers that the median Tiktoker is a Millennial (or someone even older) prompted commentators to dunk on Tiktok as uncool by dint of having lost its youthful sheen:

https://www.garbageday.email/p/tiktok-millennials-turns

But "why are Gen Z kids leaving Tiktok?" is the wrong question. The right question is, why aren't Millennials leaving Tiktok? After all, we are living through the enshittocene, the great enshittening, in which every platform gets monotonically, irreversibly worse over time, and Tiktok is no exception:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/21/potemkin-ai/#hey-guys

To understand why older users are stuck to Tiktok, we need to start with why younger users relentlessly seek out new platforms. To some extent, it's just down to youth's appetite for novelty, but that's only part of the story. To really understand why people come to – and leave – platforms, you have to understand switching costs.

"Switching costs" is the economists' term for everything you have to give up when you change products or services. Switching from Ios to Android probably means giving up a bunch of your apps and purchased media. Switching from an airline where you're a high-status frequent flier to another carrier means giving up on free checked bags and early boarding.

In an open market, rivals have lots of ways to lower these switching costs (it's an open secret that you can call an airline and say, "Hi, I'm a 33rd Order Mason on American Airlines, will you make me a Triple Platinum Diamond Sky-Baron if I switch to Delta?"). Of course, big incumbents hate this, and do everything they can to increase their switching costs, finding ways to impose high switching costs that punish disloyal consumers who have the temerity to go elsewhere.

With social media, lock-in comes for free, thanks to the "collective action problem." Getting people to agree on a given course of action is hard, and as you add more people to the picture, the problem gets harder. It's hard enough to get half a dozen people in your group-chat to agree on where to go for dinner or what board-game to play. But once you're reliant on a social media service to stay in touch with friends, relatives around the world, customers, communities (say, rare disease support groups), and coordination (like organizing your kid's little league car-pool), the problem becomes nearly insoluble. Maybe you can convince your overseas relatives to switch to a Signal group, but can you do the same for your small business's customers, or your old high-school pals?

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/29/how-to-leave-dying-social-media-platforms/

Taken together, switching costs and collective action problems make platforms "sticky," and sticky platforms inevitably enshittify.

Platforms, after all, generate value. They connect end-users with each other (say, little league parents) and they connect end-users to business customers (you and your small business's customers). That value needs to be parceled out among end users, business customers, and the platform's shareholders. A platform can make life better for business customers at its end users' expense by increasing the number of ads (hello, Youtube!), and it can make life better for its shareholders at its business customers' expense by decreasing the share of ad revenue given to publishers or performers (oh, hello again, Youtube!).

From a platform's perspective, the ideal state is one in which end users and business customers get no value from the platform, because it's all being captured by the platform's shareholders. But if Youtube interrupted every 30 seconds of video for ten minutes of ads and paid the video creators nothing, both users and creators would ditch the platform – and advertisers would follow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dab8sKg8Ko8

So platforms seek an equilibrium: "what is the least value we apportion to end-users and business customers without triggering their departure?" Maybe that means giving more value to end-users (for example, keeping Uber fares low by suppressing wages), or to business-customers (crowding more ads into your social media feed).

Every business – including brick-and-mortar, non-digitized ones – wants to find some kind of equilibrium between the value going to its suppliers, its customers and its owners, but digital businesses have an advantage here: digital systems are flexible in ways that analog, hard-goods businesses are not. Digital businesses can alter pricing, payouts and other dynamics from moment to moment – second to second – and make a different offer to every supplier and customer. They have a bunch of knobs, and they can twiddle them at will:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/19/twiddler/

Well, not quite at will. Businesses face constraints on their twiddling. If they get too greedy, users or business customers might weigh the cost of staying against the switching costs and decide it's not worth it. But the more expensive – the more painful – a platform can make leaving, the more pain they can inflict on the people who stay.

In other words, there's two ways to keep a customer or supplier's business: you can make a better service so they won't want to leave, or you can make leaving the service so painful that they stay even if you mistreat them.

There's three ways a digital company can make things worse for their customers and users without losing their business.

First, they can eliminate competition (think of Mark Zuckerberg buying Instagram to recapture the users who'd fled Facebook to escape his poor management):

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/03/big-tech-cant-stop-telling-on-itself/

Second, they can capture their regulators and avoid punishment for trampling their suppliers' or users' legal rights (think of how Amazon has raised the price of everything we buy, both on- and off Amazon, through its "most favored nation" deals):

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/25/greedflation/#commissar-bezos

Third, they can use IP law to prevent competitors from modifying their services to claw back some of that value (think of how Apple used legal threats to block an Android version of Imessage, blocking Apple customers from having private conversations that included non-Apple customers:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/12/youre-holding-it-wrong/#if-dishwashers-were-iphones

Companies can't just use this tricks at will, of course. Antitrust laws can block companies from making anticompetitve acquisitions or mergers. Regulators can punish companies for cheating their customers, workers and users. Technologists can come up with clever ways of modding or reconfiguring existing services with "interoperable" add-ons that let users bargain for better treatment by refusing to accept worse:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/07/adblocking-how-about-nah

Day in, day out, the decision-makers at tech companies test these constraints, twisting the knobs that shift value away from users to shareholders. Their bosses and boards motivate them with "KPIs" that dangle the promise of huge bonuses and promotions for any manager who successfully enshittifies part of the company's products:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/28/microincentives-and-enshittification/

Decades of pro-corporate, pro-monopoly policy has loosened those knobs. 40 years of lax antitrust meant that companies had a lot of leeway to buy or merge with rivals – that's changing today, but it's tough sledding:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/14/making-good-trouble/#the-peoples-champion

As sectors grew more concentrated, they found it easier to capture their regulators, so that they no longer fear punishment for price-gouging, spying, or wage-theft, so applying the same amount of torque to the "break the law" knob cranks it a lot further:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/06/05/regulatory-capture/

Once you've captured your regulators, you can aim them at your competitors. A monopoly-friendly policy environment has transformed IP law into a bully's charter, allowing powerful companies to strangle would-be competitors who dare to offer their customers tools to shield themselves from enshittification, like scrapers, ad-blockers and alternative clients. Big companies can crank the enshittification knob all the way over and know that smaller rivals knobs won't turn at all:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/20/benevolent-dictators/#felony-contempt-of-business-model

At one point, bosses faced one more constraint on knob-twiddling: their workforce. Many tech workers genuinely cared about their users' welfare, something bosses encouraged as a sneaky trick to get techies to put in long hours without exercising their leverage by quitting rather than destroying their lives to meet arbitrary deadlines. These workers would fearlessly slap their bosses' hands when they reached for the enshittification knob, threatening to quit rather than allowing the products they'd given so much for to be enshittified. Today, after hundreds of thousands of tech layoffs, tech workers are far less like to challenge their bosses' right to twiddle, and far more likely to get fired if they try:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/10/the-proletarianization-of-tech-workers/

All this means that tech bosses don't have to change their approach at all, and yet, their services will grow steadily worse. The boss who twiddles the enshittification knob in exactly the same way as he did a year or a decade ago will find it turning much further, because his customers are locked into his platform, his regulators won't protect them, the same regulators will stop his competitors' attempts at countertwiddling, and his workers fear losing their jobs too much to speak up for their users.

That's the contagion that produced the enshittocene: the forces that constrained companies (competition, regulation, self-help and labor – all melted away, allowing every company's MBA-poisoned knob-twiddling leaders to shamelessly caress their knobs with every hour that God sends:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/30/go-nuts-meine-kerle/#ich-bin-ein-bratapfel

Which is why people want to leave platforms. When a platform loses its users, those users have weighed the switching costs against the pain of staying and decided that it's better to bear those costs than to stay.

So why have Tiktok's younger users found the costs too high to bear, and why have their elders remained stuck to the platform?

For that, we have to look at the unique characteristics of young people – characteristics that transcend the lazy cliche that kids are easily bored, fickle novelty-seekers who hop from one service to another with unquenchable restlessness.

Whether or not kids are novelty-seekers, they are, fundamentally, a disfavored minority. They want to do things that the platforms don't want them to do – like converse without being overheard by authority figures, including their parents and their schools (also: cops and future employers, though kids may not be thinking about them as much).

In other words, kids pay intrinsically lower switching costs than adults, because a platform will always do less for them than it will for grownups. This is a characteristic kids share with other supposedly technophilic, novelty-seeking "early adopters," from sex-workers to terrorists, from sexual minorities to trolls, from political dissidents to fascists. For those groups, the cost of mastering a new technology and assembling a community around it is always more likely to be worth bearing than it would be for people who are well-served by existing tools:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/06/21/early-adopters/#sex-tech

Pornographers didn't jump on home video because of its superiority as a medium for capturing flesh-tones. Home video was a good porn medium because it was easier to discreetly get into the hands of porn consumers, who could, in turn, discreetly view it. The audience for porn in the privacy of your living room is larger than the audience for porn that you can only watch if you're willing to be seen marching into a dirty movie theater.

Every new technology is popularized by a mix of disfavored groups and neophiles, who normalize and refine it – and yes, infuse it with their countercultural coolth – until it becomes easy enough to use to become mainstream. As more normies drift into the new system, the switching costs associated with leaving the old system declines. It gets easier and easier to find the people and services you want in the new realm, and harder and harder to find them in the old one.

This is why tech platforms have historically experienced sudden collapse: the platform that gets more valuable and harder to leave as it accumulates users gets less valuable and easier to leave as users depart:

https://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/archives/2022/12/05/what-if-failure-is-the-plan.html

If you're a Gen Z kid on Tiktok, you experience the same enshittification as your Millennial elders. But you also experience an additional cost to staying: as late-arriving adult authority figures become more fluent in the platform, they are more able to observe your use of it, and punish you for conduct that you used to get away with.

And if you're a Millennial who isn't leaving Tiktok, it's not just that you experience the same enshittification as those departing Gen Z kids – you also face higher switching costs if you go. The older you get, the more complex your social connections grow. A Gen Z kid in middle school doesn't have to worry about losing touch with their high-school buddies if they switch platforms (they haven't gone to high school yet – and they see their middle school friends in person all the time, giving them a side-channel to share information about who's leaving Tiktok and where they're headed to next). Middle-schoolers don't have to worry about coordinating little league car-pools or losing access to a rare disease support group.

In other words: younger people leave old platforms earlier because they have more to gain by leaving; and older people leave old platforms later because they have more to lose by leaving.

This is why Facebook is filled with Boomers. Yes, their kids bolted for the exits to avoid having their parents (or grandparents) wading into their sexual, social and professional lives. But the reason the Boomers were late joining younger users' Facebook exodus – or the reason they never joined it – is that they stand to lose more by going. Facebook deliberately cultivated this dynamic, for example, by creating a photo hosting service designed to entice users into uploading their family photos while disguising how hard it would be to take those photos with them if they left:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/facebooks-secret-war-switching-costs

The irony here is that tech has intrinsically low switching costs. All other things being equal, a new platform can always build a bridge to ease the passage of users from the old one. There's no (technical) reason that moving to Mastodon, or Bluesky, or any other platform should mean cutting ties with the people who stayed behind.

A combination of voluntary interoperability (where old platforms offer APIs to allow new services to connect with them), mandatory interop (where governments force tech companies to offer APIs) and adversarial interop (where new companies hack together their own API with reverse-engineering, scraping, bots, and other guerrilla tactics) would hypothetically allow users to hop between networks as easily as you change phone carriers:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/19/better-failure/#let-my-tweeters-go

Tech platforms tend to offer APIs when they're getting started (to ease the inward passage of new users) then shut them down after they attain dominance (locking the door behind those users). The EU is tinkering with mandatory APIs through the Digital Markets Act (though bafflingly, they're starting with encrypted messaging rather than social media). Restoring adversarial interoperability will require extensive legal reform, which is getting started through Right to Repair laws:

https://www.techdirt.com/2024/03/13/oregon-passes-right-to-repair-law-apple-lobbied-to-kill/

The people who are stranded on social media platforms shouldn't be mistaken for uncool, aging technophobes. They're not stubborn, they're stranded. Like the elders who can't afford to leave a dying town after the factory shuts down and the young people move away, these people are locked in. They need help evacuating – a place to go and a path to get there.

Name your price for 18 of my DRM-free ebooks and support the Electronic Frontier Foundation with the Humble Cory Doctorow Bundle.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/21/involuntary-die-hards/#evacuate-the-platformsr

[cognitivejustice]

Record number of Indigenous land titles granted in Peru via innovative process

Land titles have proven to be the most effective way to protect Indigenous peoples’ land from deforestation, with such territories experiencing a 66% decrease in deforestation, and therefore protecting these forests for generations to come.

Recently, 37 land titles were secured in the Peruvian Amazon in record time, between June 2023 to May 2024, via a partnership between two NGOs and the Peruvian government, using an innovative, low-cost, high-impact model to expedite the process.

“We believe this model can be replicated in other regions of the Amazon and perhaps even beyond,” the authors of a new op-ed write.

What is most groundbreaking about our approach is the emphasis on territorial consolidation, which addresses the Indigenous vision for our territory. Historically, titling has fragmented Indigenous peoples’ lands, reducing them to smaller, isolated parcels meaning the landscape of Indigenous territory is built through a mosaic of property titles. This makes us more vulnerable to threats from illegal activities. We are not only better able to protect our lands but we are also more aligned with an Indigenous worldview by titling our lands in this way and creating a common territory.

[libertineangel]

The Emir of Qatar is on a state visit to the UK - and the King highlighted the Gulf state’s role in negotiations in the Gaza conflict and the return of Israeli hostages. [...]

State banquets are a centrepiece of such visits, held in the grandeur of the ballroom of Buckingham Palace, with a 4,000-piece dinner service. [...] On the menu was a tartlet of Cornish lobster and quails eggs for a starter; with pheasant wrapped in Savoy cabbage, roasted celeriac puree and potato gratin with cheese from Suffolk, truffle sauce and winter vegetables as a main course; followed by an iced bombe with organic Samoan vanilla ice cream and a Balmoral plum sorbet. Each guest had a setting of five different glasses - and for those wanting an alcoholic drink, the wine list included Chapel Down Grand Reserve 2018, Puligny-Montrachet Les Nosroyes, Domaine Genot-Boulanger 2019, Chateau Lynch-Bages, Pauillac 2000 and a Chateau La Tour Blanche.

In 2022/23 there were 7.2 million people, or 11% of the UK population, in households experiencing food poverty, including 17% of children. In 2022/23, the Trussell Trust, a charity and network of foodbanks, supplied the highest recorded number of three-day emergency food parcels. [...]

According to the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Households Below Average Income survey, in 2022/23, 7.2 million people (11%) in the UK were in food insecure households, an increase of 2.5 million people since 2021/22. Among the 11.3 million people found to be in relative poverty before housing costs, 22% were in food insecure households, including 30% of children. [...]

The DWP published statistics on food bank use for the first time in March 2023. In 2022/23, 2.3 million people in the UK lived in household which had used a food bank in the previous 12 months, a rate of 3%. This includes 6% of children, 3% of working-age adults, and around 1% of pensioners. [...]

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Matt Wuerker, Politico

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

October 30, 2023

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

OCT 31, 2023

After three weeks without a speaker, the House today tackled one of the key items on its agenda: providing additional funding for Israel and Ukraine. Immediately, the majority under Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) made it clear that they have every intention of pushing their extremist agenda. Despite pressure from Republican Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), they have split funding for Israel away from the funding for Ukraine and funding for humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza that President Biden has requested.

They have gone further, though, to push the far right’s agenda. The House Republicans’ $14.3 billion aid package for Israel claims that it will “offset” that spending by taking $14.3 billion from funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) passed by Congress in the Inflation Reduction Act. But this “offset” is nothing of the sort: funding the IRS brings in significantly more than it costs. For each dollar spent auditing the top 1% of U.S. earners, the IRS brought in $3.18; for each dollar spent auditing the top 0.1%, it brought in $6.29.

In September the IRS noted that it recovered $38 million in delinquent taxes from 175 high-income taxpayers within a few months and would be increasing that effort. A 2021 study showed that people whose income is in the top 1% of earners fail to report more than 20% of their earnings to the IRS. 

The House measure, providing aid for Israel only if Democrats agree to set aside Ukraine and Gaza and permit rich people to cheat on their taxes, will set up a fight with the Senate. 

Tonight, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement saying the Republicans’ politicization of our national security interests is a “nonstarter. Demanding offsets for meeting core national security needs of the United States—like supporting Israel and defending Ukraine from atrocities and Russian imperialism—would be a break with the normal, bipartisan process and could have devastating implications for our safety and alliances in the years ahead.”

She noted that there is strong bipartisan agreement that it is in our national security interest to stop the suffering of innocent people in Gaza, “help Ukraine defend its sovereignty against appalling crimes being committed by Russian forces against thousands of innocent civilians,” and invest more in border security. 

“Threatening to undermine American national security unless House Republicans can help the wealthy and big corporations cheat on their taxes—which would increase the deficit—is the definition of backwards,” she said.

The chaos among the Republicans and the emergence of a Christian nationalist as their choice to lead the House seem to have drawn increased attention to the successes of the president. 

Today, for example, the United Auto Workers announced a tentative deal with General Motors, marking the third such agreement in the union’s six-week strike against GM, Ford, and Stellantis. The agreements include a 25% raise in base wages over 4.5 years, after years in which workers’ pay did not keep up with inflation. The agreements will also protect workers against the conversion to electric vehicles, helping unionized workers to make the transition to a green economy, and reopen certain closed plants.

As Jeanne Whalen noted in the Washington Post, this agreement comes after United Parcel Service (UPS) workers this summer won their strongest contract in decades and 75,000 striking Kaiser healthcare workers won strong wage increases. 

Biden was the first president to join a picket line when he stood with the UAW. Today, he said: “Today's historic agreement is yet another piece of good economic news showing something I have always believed: Worker power…is critical to building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up…. We’re finally beginning to build an economy that works for working people, for the middle class, for the entire…country, including the companies.  

“Because when we do that, the poor have a ladder up, the middle class does well, and the wealthy still do very well. We all do well.”

As Michael Tomasky put it in The New Republic, “We have a president who takes seriously the fundamental economic fact of American life of the last 40 years, which is that trillions of dollars of wealth have been transferred from the lower and middle classes to the top 1 percent, and even to the top 0.1 percent. Moreover, it’s rivetingly clear that he thinks that it’s long past time to get that river flowing in the other direction.”

In The Bulwark, Jill Lawrence wrote that Biden has a “surprising focus on the future” as he “moves to meet U.S. challenges that former President Donald Trump largely ignored, failed at, or made worse.” She noted Biden’s achievement of infrastructure legislation after Trump failed, and contrasted Biden’s successful CHIPS and Science Act with the trade war of the Trump years, which cost as many as 245,000 jobs and so badly hurt midwestern farmers that 90% of the proceeds from Trump’s tariffs went to bail them out.

Biden also has looked forward by pushing and securing the Inflation Reduction Act, which invests in a transition to a green economy.

But Lawrence’s focus was primarily on today’s sweeping executive order on artificial intelligence, an order Politico called “the most significant single effort to impose national order on a technology that has shocked many people with its rapid growth.” The administration has been working to establish responsible AI practices, recognizing the need to address discriminatory algorithms, data privacy violations, and deep fakes.

Today, Biden signed an executive order requiring companies to share safety information about their systems before allowing them to be used, in order to make sure they don’t pose a safety or a national security risk. It orders the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to secure critical infrastructure. It will require AI-generated content to bear a watermark that clearly labels it. It will protect personal data, and Biden promised he would ask Congress for legislation to pass bipartisan legislation to stop technology companies from collecting the personal data of children and teenagers, to ban advertising directed at children, and to limit companies’ collection of personal data in general.  

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a technology think tank, applauded the order, saying its guidelines set “a clear course for the United States…. With this EO, the United States is demonstrating it takes AI oversight seriously.”

Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the two-day AI Safety Summit meeting in the United Kingdom on November 1–2 as the European Union closes in on laws about artificial intelligence that would enable the E.U. to shut down services that harm society. The E.U. has been ahead of the U.S. in its regulation of the internet: in August 2023 its Digital Services Act went into effect, requiring users to agree to the use of their personal data for targeted advertising and requiring digital platforms to police the disinformation on their platforms. Most of the companies it regulates are based in the United States.

—

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[leveragehunters]

Attention all my Aussie peeps (and only Aussie peeps, sorry): free books

I am out of bookshelf space and have to cull something, so Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series are on the chopping block.

These are books 1-11 of Mercy Thompson, primarily in hardcover, and books 1-3 and 5 of the related Alpha and Omega series (book 4 seems to have absconded!), along with Shifting Shadows, a 'world of Mercy Thompson' anthology containing the first Alpha and Omega story. The hardcovers are in excellent/as new condition; the paperbacks have some minor spine creasing.

Both series are werewolf/shifter, heavy on pack dynamics/politics, with a side order of Fae and vampires. They're overall quite enjoyable, although issues including lack of queer representation/the way it's handled have been noted by fans and critics alike, but if you enjoy werewolves, you'll probably enjoy these. (Note they are not A/B/O). The covers are gorgeous.

If you're in Australia, or have an Australian address I can send a courier parcel to, they're yours, free of charge. I'll pick up the postage costs; I'd just like them to have a good home instead of getting dumped in the Lifeline bin.

If you're interested, send me a Tumblr Ask by midnight on Saturday, September 2nd 2023 Brisbane time and I'll give you my email to send me your address. Please do not put your postal address in a Tumblr message!

If more than one person puts their hand up before Saturday midnight, I'll RNG for who gets them.

[murumokirby360]

My PC Cooling Upgrades Review - Part 1 [Second Half] (w/ my paper dolls) [Recorded on Jun 9th, 2023]

Hello, June! Here's the continuation of "My PC Cooling Upgrades" Part 1 (featuring my paper dolls). 🙂

If you haven't seen my "First Half", then please [CLICK ME!].

So, without further ado, let's get started!

29th to 31st Image(s) ↑:

• Alright! Moving on to other items 📦📦, now what item should we open? 🤔

32nd & 33rd Image(s) ↑:

• My paper dolls says "Why not both?". Good idea! 😄Tada! Two items had been revealed! And I know the PC fan was misleading & un-advertised to the box, but, we'll get to that in a bit.😉

34th to 36th Image(s) ↑:

• Now, you've already seen this before during my unwrapping parcels, right? So, here's the 4-pin fan splitter connector for my Motherboard. And the reason to buy is because I need more than one PC fan to get the ventilation going & prevent from overheat the hardware components (including the motherboard) 🌡️💨❄️🖥️. I wish I could buy more than three slots (w/ more PC fans), but since my tower case is an old style, I guess this will do (for now). 🙂

37th to 41st Image(s) ↑:

• [37th to 39th Images] Lastly is the 80mm 12V PC fan with w/a blue light strip around closer the transparent fan blades. Sure, an affordable normal PC fan is fine but also boring. So, why not get this? Because the transparent fan is rad & a colorful LED light strip (which depending on what color you choose, so I picked "Blue") was icing on the computer cake (no pun intended). 🥰💙💡

• [40th & 41st Images] Also, I was expecting to be a 4-pin fan connector, but instead, this mini fan has a Molex connector; in both male & female ports. And you know what, I'm okay with that, a single Molex slot should make room for it. And I can't secure the PC fan without a pack of four screw bolts.🙂

42nd to 43rd Image(s) ↑:

• And there you have it, my trio of items for my PC cooling upgrade! Hope these will delivered a solid worth, and my paper dolls agrees! We can't wait to install these goodies! 😁🖥

BTW: I haven't talk about my current PC. Well... It went horrible, on June 7th. Hours after I record the video & posted. 🖥😟 And you noticed, I covered my monitor with a fiber cloth. I'll spare the details when I make "Part 2".

Overall & Asking Price:

• Problem aside, I hope these will make cooldown the heat of the CPU chip & other internal components. Although, I have one last item that I need to purchase. ☝️ But sadly, I need to earn just a little bit. 🤏💵 So I guess I'll cover it, in the coming months once I bought the last item.

• As for the "Asking Price", here are the ff.:

○ Jonsbo CR-1400 from EasyPC (Shopee PH site) - cost ₱ 699 - 755 (Free Shipping Fee in voucher) in Black or White colors available

○ 80mm 12V PC Fan from ogamma-ph (Shopee PH site) - cost ₱ 75 (Shipping Fee ₱46) in Red, Blue, White, and RGB LED light colors in different sizes (There's also selling an actual PCCooler FX-12CM RGB for ₱129)

○ PWM PC Fan Splitter from Meuc Store (Shopee PH site) - cost ₱50 - 75 (Shipping Fee ₱38) depending how many ports you want

SIDE NOTE: I didn't buy anything from Lazada PH, so its a nice for me to change. 😊🛒🌐🇵🇭

Well, that's all for now. And you haven't seen my previous month, then please [CLICK ME!].

Tagged: @lordromulus90, @bryan360, @carmenramcat, @leapant, @rafacaz4lisam2k4, @paektu, @alexander1301

[molsons112000]

There is good information to know about voting by mail, and when you need to get your bell.It in unless you express mail your ballot back....

So you need to know the different mail options and you can send it overnight mail and some places. Same-day mail to make sure your vote gets in before the deadline of November third...

Stamps.com

https://www.stamps.com › usps › u...

USPS Delivery Times

USPS delivery times for addresses within the US vary by shipping service, from overnight with Priority Mail Express®, to over 5 days with Parcel

What is the fastest delivery option?

The fastest overnight delivery option is FedEx First Overnight. You can expect your package or envelope to be delivered by 8 a.m. the next business day in most areas.

https://www.fedex.com › en-us › ov...

Overnight Shipping for Next Day Delivery | FedEx

Priority Mail Express. Next-Day to 2-Day Guarantee by 6 PM. ...

Priority Mail. Shipping in 1–3 Business Days. ...

USPS Ground Advantage. Shipping in 2-5 Business Days. ...

First-Class Mail. Mail in 1–5 Business Days.

https://www.usps.com › ship › mail-...

Mail & Shipping Services - USPS

Feedback

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers several mail options with different delivery speeds, including: 

Priority Mail Express

The fastest USPS mail option, offering guaranteed one- or two-day delivery by 3 PM. It also includes $100 of insurance coverage. 

Priority Mail

A faster option than First Class Mail, with an estimated delivery time of one to three days. It's a good choice for letters, large envelopes, and packages. 

First Class Mail

A faster option than Standard Mail. Presorting mail can save on postage rates, but may add a day to the delivery schedule. 

USPS Retail Ground

A reliable and affordable option for non-urgent deliveries, ideal for shipping large packages. The cost is based on the weight of the package and the mailing distance. 

Periodicals

A class of mail for businesses that send publications to subscribers. Mailings must be under 70 pounds and there must be at least four publication intervals per year. 

ShipBob

USPS Mail Types: Which Mail Service is Right for My Business?

Aug 14, 2023 — Priority Mail Express is the fastest delivery option offered by the USPS. It provides guaranteed 1-Day or 2-Day expedited service by 3 pm for any ma...

So depending and when you're sending your vote by mail in, you need to pick the right mail option to get it there on time....

[roshankumar7904800]

Refrigerated Road Transportation Market

Refrigerated Road Transportation Market Size, Share, Trends: C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. Leads

Integration of IoT and Telematics for Real-Time Temperature Monitoring and Fleet Management

Market Overview:

The global Refrigerated Road Transportation Market is expected to develop at a CAGR of XX% between 2024 and 2031. The market will grow from USD XX billion in 2024 to USD YY billion by 2031. North America now dominates the market, accounting for the vast majority of worldwide sales. Key criteria include rising demand for fresh and frozen foods, stricter food safety and quality requirements, and developments in refrigeration technology.

The refrigerated road transportation market is expanding rapidly, owing to the increasing demand for temperature-controlled logistics in a variety of industries, including food and drinks, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. Cold chain logistics is becoming more efficient and reliable thanks to technological advancements in refrigeration units, telematics, and route optimisation.

DOWNLOAD FREE SAMPLE

Market Trends:

The refrigerated road transport business is seeing a substantial increase in the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and telematics technology. These modern technologies improve the capabilities of refrigerated vehicles, allowing for real-time temperature monitoring, remote diagnostics, and effective fleet management. IoT-enabled sensors can constantly broadcast temperature data, vehicle location, and other important information to central control systems, enabling early identification of anomalies and quick response to potential cold chain breaches. Telematics systems are being used to improve route planning, minimise fuel usage, and increase overall operational efficiency.

For example, AI-powered predictive maintenance algorithms can forecast equipment breakdowns using sensor data, potentially lowering downtime and maintenance costs. The increased desire for transparency and traceability in cold chain logistics, particularly in businesses with severe temperature control requirements such as pharmaceuticals and perishable foods, is driving this trend. Major refrigerated transportation businesses are investing extensively in IoT and telematics capabilities, resulting in a new generation of smart chilled vehicles with improved monitoring, control, and reporting functions.

Market Segmentation:

The Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV) segment dominates the refrigerated road transportation industry. These vehicles, which include huge trucks and semi-trailers, have the ability to deliver enormous volumes of temperature-controlled commodities across great distances. HCVs' adaptability and cost-effectiveness for intercity and interstate transportation of perishable goods have resulted in widespread use across a variety of industries.

Recent advances in HCV refrigeration technology have strengthened its market dominance. For example, the introduction of hybrid and electric refrigeration equipment has increased energy efficiency while lowering environmental effects. A study published in the International Journal of Refrigeration found that new-generation electric refrigeration systems for HCVs consume 30% less fuel and emit 25% less CO2 than traditional diesel-powered units.

The food and beverage industry is generating substantial expansion in the HCV refrigerated transportation market. According to a survey from the American Trucking Associations, refrigerated truck tonnage for food goods increased by 18% between 2020 and 2023. The rising demand for frozen and chilled foods, combined with the rise of food retail chains and e-commerce platforms, has had a significant role in the increased use of refrigerated HCV.

Market Key Players:

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)

FedEx Corporation

Ryder System, Inc.

KLLM Transport Services, LLC

Americold Logistics, LLC

Contact Us:

Name: Hari Krishna

Email us: hari.krishna@aurorawaveintellects.com

Website: https://aurorawaveintellects.com/

[ajaymoreadreport]

Future of Delivery Drones Market Projected to Reach USD 3.2 Billion by 2030

The Booming Delivery Drone Market: A Future Shaped by Innovation and Efficiency

The global delivery drone market has witnessed remarkable growth over the past few years and is projected to continue its exponential rise. According to recent market research, the delivery drone market size, valued at USD 0.2 billion in 2022, is expected to grow to USD 3.2 billion by 2030, exhibiting an astounding CAGR of 49.00% during the forecast period (2023-2030). This unprecedented growth is driven by increased research and development (R&D) efforts, technological advancements, and significant reductions in drone size and cost. As industries worldwide embrace drones for faster, more efficient delivery solutions, this market is set to revolutionize the future of logistics.

Browse Report – Explore the report’s contents, sections, and key insights by browsing through its detailed information.

The Driving Forces Behind Market Expansion

The rapid development of delivery drones can be attributed to several key market drivers:

Increased Research and Development Activity

The surge in R&D efforts has been a significant contributor to the success and adoption of delivery drones. Companies are investing heavily in improving drone capabilities, focusing on enhancing battery life, range, payload capacity, and autonomous navigation. Emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), are being integrated into delivery drones to enable smarter route optimization, real-time obstacle avoidance, and precise deliveries.

In addition, advancements in 5G connectivity are enabling real-time data transmission, making drones more efficient and reliable for long-range deliveries. Research institutions and major market players are collaborating to address technical challenges, such as noise reduction, safety concerns, and regulatory compliance, paving the way for mass adoption.

Miniaturization and Cost Efficiency

The reduction in the size and cost of delivery drones has played a pivotal role in expanding their application across multiple industries. Innovations in drone design and materials have resulted in lightweight, compact drones that can operate efficiently while reducing manufacturing costs. Smaller drones are not only more cost-effective but are also ideal for delivering small parcels, food, and medical supplies in urban areas.

As production scales up, economies of scale are expected to further reduce the cost of delivery drones, making them more accessible to businesses of all sizes. This cost-efficiency is particularly attractive for e-commerce companies, logistics providers, and retailers looking to optimize their last-mile delivery processes.

Growing Demand for Faster and More Efficient Deliveries

The rise of e-commerce and consumer expectations for faster deliveries have created significant opportunities for the delivery drone market. Traditional delivery methods are often constrained by traffic congestion, labor shortages, and higher operational costs. Delivery drones offer a game-changing solution, enabling businesses to deliver goods quickly, reliably, and at a lower cost.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for contactless delivery solutions skyrocketed, further accelerating the adoption of drones for last-mile delivery. The ability to deliver essential supplies such as groceries, medications, and emergency equipment to remote or inaccessible locations has positioned delivery drones as a crucial technology for the future.

Applications Across Key Industries

The delivery drone market is finding applications in a wide range of industries, revolutionizing the way goods are delivered:

E-commerce and Retail: Major e-commerce companies are testing and deploying delivery drones to ensure faster, same-day deliveries. Drones reduce the dependency on traditional delivery networks and lower overall delivery costs.

Healthcare: Delivery drones have proven invaluable for transporting medical supplies, including vaccines, blood samples, and critical medications, to remote and underserved areas. This is particularly significant in emergency situations where time-sensitive deliveries can save lives.

Food Delivery: The food and beverage industry is leveraging drones for contactless and timely delivery of meals, groceries, and beverages. Companies are exploring drone delivery services to cater to rising consumer demand for convenience.

Logistics and Supply Chain: Logistics providers are using drones for inventory management, warehouse operations, and last-mile deliveries. The integration of drones in supply chain systems improves efficiency and reduces delivery times.

Agriculture: While traditionally associated with monitoring crops, drones are now being used to deliver fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural tools to farms in remote locations.

Request Free Sample Report - Receive a free sample report to preview the valuable insights and data we offer.

Regional Insights

North America currently dominates the delivery drone market due to the presence of leading drone manufacturers, favorable regulations, and widespread adoption of drone technologies. The region’s e-commerce boom and strong R&D ecosystem further contribute to market growth.

Asia-Pacific is expected to emerge as a significant growth region due to increasing investments in drone technology, rising consumer demand for faster deliveries, and government initiatives supporting drone-based logistics solutions. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are at the forefront of this growth, with companies actively testing large-scale drone delivery systems.

Europe is also witnessing steady growth, driven by advancements in drone regulations and increasing adoption of drone deliveries for e-commerce and healthcare applications.

Challenges and Future Opportunities

While the delivery drone market holds immense potential, it also faces challenges such as stringent regulatory frameworks, safety concerns, and public perception issues. Governments across the globe are working to establish guidelines for drone operations, including air traffic management, safety standards, and privacy regulations.

On the flip side, these challenges present opportunities for further innovation. Companies that can develop solutions addressing safety, security, and regulatory compliance will have a competitive edge. Additionally, advancements in battery technologies, AI, and 3D mapping will further enhance drone capabilities, making them an indispensable part of the logistics ecosystem.

Conclusion

The delivery drone market companies  is poised for explosive growth, driven by technological innovation, cost reductions, and increasing demand for efficient delivery solutions. As businesses continue to explore the potential of drone delivery, this technology will play a critical role in transforming logistics, healthcare, e-commerce, and food delivery industries. With a projected market value of USD 3.2 billion by 2030, delivery drones are not just a trend—they are the future of modern logistics, promising faster, safer, and more sustainable delivery solutions for a connected world.

About US

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis about diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.

Contact US

Market Research Future (part of Wants tats Research and Media Private Limited),

99 Hudson Street,5Th Floor New York 10013, United States of America

Sales: +1 628 258 0071 (US) +44 2035 002 764 (UK)

Email: Sales@marketresearchfuture.com

[jimmyq12]

How Should Japan Deal With the Discovery of US Drug Trafficking in Okinawa Again?

According to media reports, Japan launched an investigation into 8 US military personnel suspected of smuggling drugs in Japan in March. It is reported that these 8 US soldiers belong to the Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa Prefecture and have been accused of smuggling drugs since May 2023. They first purchased synthetic drugs from Nevada and Texas, and then transported the drugs to Japan through the military postal system. It is reported that these 8 US soldiers chose to smuggle drugs in this way, partly because the US postal system has lower shipping costs, and partly because the US military's "public packages" do not need to undergo Japanese customs inspection.

It should be noted that Japan is also a country that cracking down heavily on drugs. However, the US military stationed in Japan evades Japanese customs inspections under the guise of "public parcels", making this channel a breeding ground for US military smuggling of drugs and other prohibited items. This has caused great concern for Japan.

According to data from Okinawa Prefecture, in 2023 alone, there were 72 US military drug related incidents, reaching the highest level in nearly 20 years. If this continues to be left unchecked, the drug related issues of the US military stationed in Japan are likely to become increasingly serious. Investigators are also concerned that the drugs smuggled by the US military may have flowed outside the base.

Starting from March 13th, 8 US military drug cases have been handed over to Japanese prosecutors. It seems that Japan can't bear it anymore and is finally going to take it seriously. But the problem is that extraterritoriality has always been the umbrella of the US military stationed in Japan, and Japan has also tried to sentence the US military stationed in Japan for committing crimes. However, the result is often that these US troops are extradited to the United States and released, which immediately triggers a new round of public outrage among the Japanese people. As a result, the Japanese people stationed in the US military continue to protest against the US military, which raises doubts about whether the US military stationed in Japan has also been issued a "expulsion order" one day.

Japan is considered one of the closest allies of the United States and has always been quite obedient to the United States. However, even Japan does not always show respect and please the United States, and there are times when it comes to confronting the United States as public anger erupts. In recent years, the United States has received many "expulsion orders", with Iraq demanding an end to the US led international alliance in Iraq and Niger suspending military cooperation with the United States.

Due to the shift of the US strategic focus to the Asia Pacific region, the US places great importance on Japan and regards Japan and South Korea as frontline bases to contain their opponents. However, with frequent scandals involving the US military stationed in Japan, high-level officials have to worry about whether they can continue to stabilize their troops in the future.

[tamanna31]

Third-party Logistics Market Segments and Key Trends 2024-2030

Third-party Logistics Industry Overview

The global third-party logistics market size was estimated at USD 1,095.85 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% from 2024 to 2030.

The development of transport infrastructure in Asia and Middle East, the thriving growth of the e-commerce sector, and the development of new technologies are expected to significantly contribute to the market growth. Shippers are focusing on outsourcing the transport activity to enhance their operations and cost-effectiveness. The increased working capital and globalization lead to the demand for efficient inventory management services. Moreover, the restructuring of the brick and mortar business model continues to provide dynamic growth to the industry.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Third-party Logistics Market

The changing global supply chain to become more customer-centric enables companies to outsource their supply chain activities to focus on adaptability and responsiveness. Moreover, the volatile international documentation procedure and customs rules & regulations need the expertise to handle the complex supply chain activity. As a result, small and medium-sized businesses are also leveraging third party logistics (3PL) services.

The rise of e-commerce and digital phenomenon, also called 'The Amazon Effect', has changed consumer expectations and buying behavior. End-users are seeking unparalleled expectations in terms of convenience, cost, control, and choice. Omni-channel operation demands reliable, fast, and free shipping services, which has resulted in companies adopting a new business model to provide low-cost and on-demand delivery services. 3PL companies embrace various modifications in supply chain management to address the notable transformations and challenges that e-commerce presents.

The 3PL companies are shifting their focus from long-haul delivery to just-in-time delivery. The suppliers are also transitioning from multiple storage facilities to a single warehouse location. To accommodate an increase in last-mile delivery, 3PL companies invest in smaller trucks and vans, which can support shorter and more frequent deliveries. In the coming years, last-mile delivery is presumed to be one of the key areas of focus for logistics companies.

Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL) is the step ahead that can manage resources, infrastructure, technology, and even external 3PL to provide a holistic supply chain solution. The 4PL companies offer comprehensive consulting services in addition to transport operations. The service includes logistics strategy, inbound and outbound logistics, inventory planning and management, business planning, and analytics. Deloitte, Accenture plc, BDP International, and DB Schenker Logistics are some of the companies that are offering 4PL services. 4PL is a relatively new concept, but it is expected to gain momentum in the coming years from medium and large businesses seeking a complete transportation solution.

Browse through Grand View Research's Automotive & Transportation Industry Research Reports.

The global supply chain management market size was valued at USD 23,265.4 million in 2023 and is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% from 2024 to 2030.

The global transportation management system market size was evaluated at USD 13.61 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4% from 2024 to 2030.

Key Companies profiled:

BDP International

Burris Logistics

H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

CEVA Logistics

DSV

DB Schenker Logistics

FedEx

B. Hunt Transport, Inc.

Kuehne + Nagel

Nippon Express

United Parcel Service of America, Inc.

XPO Logistics, Inc

Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd.

Key Third-party Logistics Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include Burris Logistics, and FedEx among others.

Burris Logistics is a U.S.-based family-owned and privately held logistics company having expertise in refrigerated warehousing, food-service redistribution, and retail specialty work. The company uses its in-house software for logistical operations, thereby reducing the time and cutting down costs.

FedEx offers a vast portfolio of e-commerce, transportation, and business services. The company’s operations and activities are categorized under four reportable business segments, namely FedEx Freight, FedEx Express, FedEx Services, and FedEx Ground.

DB Schenker Logistics, and CEVA Logistics. are some of the emerging market participants in the target market.

DB Schenker Logistics, a German company, is involved in providing integrated service solutions. The company specializes in the exchange of goods in ocean and air freight, land transport, and contract logistics.

CEVA Logistics is a Dutch logistics company formed by the merger of EGL Global Logistics and TNT Logistics. CEVA is a non-asset-based supply chain management company, which offers several services based on its Contract Logistics and Freight Management expertise, either on a stand-alone basis or in combination.

Recent Developments

In December 2023, Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd. entered into a strategic partnership with Pickle Robot Company, a leader in the field of physical Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotic automation. Plans envisaged commencing the collaboration with the implementation of Pickle Unload solutions at Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd.'s Contract Logistics Group trans-loading operation located in Long Beach, California. By integrating the cutting-edge solution, Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd. will be able to reduce the physical workload for its employees and enhance service reliability. The partnership reflected Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd.’s dedication to introducing the most advanced robotics automation solutions within its warehouses, with the ultimate goal of providing superior service to its valued customers.

In September 2023, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of a new warehouse facility of 400,000 sq. ft. The warehouse is equipped with 154 dock doors and has the capacity to accommodate up to 700 trailers. This expansion enabled the company to extend its presence for trade along the Mexico border and diversify supply chains to ensure efficient transportation and logistics operations along The Port of Laredo.

Order a free sample PDF of the Third-party Logistics Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[seosmo2024]

The Rise of Sustainability and Social Responsibility in Modern Marketing

Today in this fast-moving digital world, consumers, while making a purchase, they are not buying the products but the brand and the values with which they resonate. This realization has given birth to an upcoming trend in marketing today: putting emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. As businesses play catch to these ever-evolving tastes and preferences of the consumers, it has blossomed from being a moral pursuit to a fundamental success determinant to align such noble ideals in its core strategy, merely by the integration of ethical practice. 

Why Matters of Sustainability and Social Responsibility Count

Modern consumers are better informed and more cautious than ever. They are evolving into being conscious of the implications of their choices on the world and people in their circumference. In a study published early this year, it was reported that traffic to sustainability-related content on major e-commerce platforms rose with as much as 187% between 2022 and 2023. This statistic is a clear indicator that consumers are actively seeking out brands that align with their values.

Sustainability and social responsibility are therefore not esoteric or niche interests but rather part and parcel of the brand itself. Companies such as Patagonia and Ben & Jerry's have made a name for themselves in the world not just because they speak out for environmental and social causes but because these values are now a part of their business models. This tenet captures the hearts and minds of consumers who are purchasing with purpose.

The Business Case for Ethical Marketing

The ethical argument for maintainability and social responsibility may be strong, but the business argument is every bit as strong. Many responsible brands create an increase in customer loyalty, enhance brand value, and create a better market position for the premium share. In fact, authentically responsible companies often find these mean bottom-line profits.

One of the most effective strategies in this realm is authentic, value-based communication. When going beyond conventional marketing slogans and embracing real relationships with customers, for instance, companies that present their success in the area of sustainability or induce customers to more ethical actions are always the ones worthy of more trust and loyalty. Because today's consumers do not just buy products, they buy experiences and identity that mirror their own values.

Building genuine relationships through storytelling

Storytelling is one of the strongest tools in the field of sustainability marketing. Those brands making their ethical practices articulate in the form of interesting stories are most likely going to gain engagement from the consumers. For instance, giving the consumers a view on how a product is made that involves all the sustainable practices can make an ordinary buying experience feel special.

Here is where user-generated content (UGC) performs excellently well. When a third party shares their story and sells the experience of using a brand's product, it adds a level of authenticity that advertising never can. According to research, 61% of Gen Z prefers user-generated content to any other form of content, so bridging that gap is mandatory to reach a younger demographic.

 Challenges and Opportunities

While the benefits of sustainability and social responsibility are clear, it is actually the implementation that becomes tricky. Issues run from increased costs to complex supply chains and the necessity for transparency. But again, these challenges too show openings for innovation.

Brands that can pass through these challenges perform the best in competitive markets. Furthermore, the companies investing in sustainable technologies or adapting models of a circular economy not only decrease their ecological fingerprints but also create a new business opportunity. More than that, as consumers continue to grow smarter, it is very likely that only the brands showing genuine commitment to social responsibility will have the upper hand in winning their trust.

The Future of Sustainable Marketing

Sustainability and social responsibility in marketing are probably growing into the 21st century. Consumers are, time and again, placing brands under high demands that they stand against many natural and social issues. This will lead businesses to adopt such values in the business strategy, not as tools of marketing but in facing branding identity.

Tomorrow, marketing will be more about engagement with consumers at a values level. Those able to authentically engage with their audience, to show their sustainability commitment in actions rather than just talk, and tell a compelling social impact story will be the brands of the future.  

Conclusion 

 In recent years, sustainability and social responsibility are not optional in modern marketing. They are elemental parts of effective brand practice. They will help those practicing the values build strong relationships with their consumers and edge out a competitive advantage at the same time, in this awakening marketplace. Looking ahead, the brands that are genuinely going to stand out are those that balance profitability with purpose—creating value beyond shareholders but for society as a whole.

[unitedstatesofworld]

How a Woman Defrauded the Postal Service: The Shocking Details Revealed

In one of the most shocking cases of woman defrauded postal service in recent years, Juan “Angela” Chen, a 51-year-old woman from Walnut, California, masterminded a scheme that defrauded the United States Postal Service (USPS) out of over $150 million. Alongside her business partner, Chuanhua “Hugh” Hu, Chen used fake postage labels to send millions of packages across the country, costing the USPS millions of dollars. But how did she manage to pull off such an audacious crime? Let’s dive into the details of this elaborate scheme and uncover the shocking truth behind it.

Who Is Juan “Angela” Chen?

Juan “Angela” Chen may have appeared as an ordinary businesswoman, but her actions revealed a different side. Originally from Walnut, California, Chen operated a package shipping business that catered primarily to China-based companies. Her business partner, Chuanhua “Hugh” Hu, played a significant role in the operation until his sudden departure to China in 2019. Despite Hu’s exit, Chen continued to oversee the business, which would soon become the center of a massive postal fraud investigation.

Chen’s background is relatively obscure, but what’s clear is that she had a knack for business and a willingness to exploit the system for financial gain. Her partnership with Hu enabled them to build a thriving enterprise, albeit one built on deception and fraud.

The Scheme Unveiled

So, how did Chen and Hu manage to defraud the USPS to the tune of $150 million? The answer lies in a cunning strategy that involved the use of fake postage labels. From 2020 to 2023, Chen and Hu sent more than 34 million parcels using these counterfeit labels, avoiding the hefty postage fees that would have otherwise applied.

The scheme was as simple as it was effective. By creating and using fake postage labels, Chen was able to ship packages without paying the required fees, thus pocketing the money that should have gone to the USPS. The scale of the operation was enormous, with millions of packages being sent out over the course of three years.

The Role of Chuanhua “Hugh” Hu

Chuanhua “Hugh” Hu was not just a silent partner in this fraudulent operation; he was instrumental in its execution. Hu, who was based in Industry, California, worked closely with Chen to serve China-based companies looking to ship packages to the United States. His knowledge of the shipping industry, coupled with his technical expertise, made him a key player in the scheme.

However, in 2019, Hu fled to China, leaving Chen to continue the operation on her own. Despite his departure, Chen managed to keep the business running smoothly, continuing to defraud the USPS without missing a beat. Hu’s escape to China not only left Chen in a precarious position but also raised suspicions among authorities, ultimately leading to the unraveling of their scheme.

The Financial Impact on USPS

The financial toll of Chen and Hu’s actions on the USPS was staggering. Over the course of three years, the fraudulent activities resulted in losses exceeding $150 million. The use of fake postage labels meant that the USPS was effectively providing services for free, with no revenue to offset the costs.

To put this into perspective, more than 34 million parcels were shipped using these counterfeit labels. The sheer volume of packages involved made it nearly impossible for the USPS to detect the fraud initially. However, once the extent of the scheme was uncovered, the financial implications became all too clear. The loss of $150 million is not just a significant blow to the USPS’s bottom line but also a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the postal system.

The Legal Consequences

When the authorities finally caught up with Chen, the legal consequences were severe. In her plea deal, Chen admitted to her role in the scheme and agreed to forfeit the stolen funds. This included money from her bank accounts, as well as assets such as insurance policies and properties in California.

While the exact amount of restitution is still being determined, Chen could face up to five years in prison for her crimes. The legal system is expected to make an example out of her, sending a clear message that such fraudulent activities will not be tolerated. Chen’s admission of guilt is a significant step towards justice, but the full impact of her actions will be felt for years to come.

The Aftermath

With Chen’s admission and the potential for a lengthy prison sentence, the question remains: What happens next? For the USPS, this scandal serves as a wake-up call. The postal service is likely to implement stricter measures to prevent similar fraud in the future, including more advanced tracking and verification systems for postage labels.

For Chen, the future looks bleak. Her once-thriving business is now in ruins, and she faces the prospect of spending years behind bars. The broader implications of this case are also significant, as it highlights the need for increased oversight and regulation in the postal service industry. The ripple effects of this scandal will likely be felt across the industry, prompting other companies to review their practices and ensure they are in compliance with the law.

Conclusion

The case of Juan “Angela” Chen and Chuanhua “Hugh” Hu is a stark reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to for financial gain. By exploiting vulnerabilities in the USPS system, they managed to defraud the postal service out of over $150 million. However, their actions have not gone unpunished, and Chen now faces the consequences of her crimes. As the postal service continues to recover from this scandal, it’s clear that vigilance and stricter regulations are needed to prevent similar frauds in the future. The story of Chen and Hu serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that no system is infallible and that the pursuit of justice will always prevail.

[industrynewsupdates]

Driving Business Growth with Courier, Express, and Parcel Services Procurement Intelligence

The courier, express, and parcel services category is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2030. The growth of e-commerce is one of the main drivers of the growth of the CEP services market. E-commerce is growing rapidly, and this is leading to an increase in the demand for CEP services. Businesses that sell goods online need to be able to deliver their goods quickly and efficiently to their customers. CEP providers can help businesses do this by providing a variety of delivery services, such as next-day delivery and express delivery.

The North America courier, express, and parcel market is expected to grow rapidly due to factors like economic growth, e-commerce sales, and demand for faster, more reliable delivery services. Technological advancements, such as self-driving trucks, and government initiatives like logistics hub construction are expected to drive market growth. Globalization has increased trade-related activities, necessitating reliable and efficient delivery services.

Companies are continuously focusing on collaborating with technology providers while enhancing their capacities by setting up new hubs in various regions to stay competitive in the market. For instance,

• In January 2022, the Mexican government announced that it would be investing $90 million in the construction of a new logistics hub in Yucatán. The hub will be located in the municipality of Umán. The hub will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, including a sorting facility, a warehouse, and a fleet of vehicles. It will be able to handle a variety of cargo, including goods from the manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism industries.

• In April 2021, DHL Global Forwarding (DHL GF), a subsidiary of Deutsche Post DHL Group, expanded its presence in Africa by signing a joint venture agreement with Unicargas, a leading logistics company in Angola. The agreement will allow DHL GF to offer a wider range of logistics services in Angola and other countries in Central and Southern Africa.

• In September 2021, in a test project with self-driving truck startup Aurora and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturer Paccar, FedEx Corp. began transporting cargo between Dallas and Houston using self-driving trucks. The self-driving trucks are outfitted with Level 4 autonomous driving technology from Aurora, which enables them to function under some circumstances without human supervision. A safety driver will also be in the truck to handle any emergency.

Order your copy of the Courier, Express, and Parcel Services Procurement Intelligence Report, 2023 - 2030, published by Grand View Research, to get more details regarding day one, quick wins, portfolio analysis, key negotiation strategies of key suppliers, and low-cost/best-cost sourcing analysis

Courier, Express, and Parcel Services Sourcing Intelligence Highlights

• The global courier, express, and parcel services category is fragmented and highly competitive, with the presence of several players in the market. To grow their market share, firms in the industry are adopting crucial strategies like opening new distribution centers, mergers, and smart warehouses.

• The major cost components in this category are fuel costs, labor costs, vehicle costs, insurance costs, and administrative costs.

• China's dominance as a sourcing destination for this category is due to its large and growing manufacturing sector, strategic location in the center of Asia, infrastructure development, and government policies.

List of Key Suppliers in the Courier, Express, and Parcel Services Category

• A1 Express Delivery Service Inc

• Aramex International LLC

• Deutsche Post DHL Group

• DTDC Express Ltd

• FedEx Corp.

• SF Express (Group) Co. Ltd

• Poste Italiane SpA

• Qantas Courier Limited

• United Parcel Service Inc.

• SG Holdings Co. Ltd.

Browse through Grand View Research’s collection of procurement intelligence studies:

• Flexible Packaging Procurement Intelligence Report, 2023 - 2030 (Revenue Forecast, Supplier Ranking & Matrix, Emerging Technologies, Pricing Models, Cost Structure, Engagement & Operating Model, Competitive Landscape)

• Commercial Print Services Procurement Intelligence Report, 2023 - 2030 (Revenue Forecast, Supplier Ranking & Matrix, Emerging Technologies, Pricing Models, Cost Structure, Engagement & Operating Model, Competitive Landscape)

Courier, Express, and Parcel Services Procurement Intelligence Report Scope 

• Courier, Express, and Parcel Services Category Growth Rate: CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2030

• Pricing Growth Outlook: 3% - 4% (Annually)

• Pricing Models: Value-based pricing, volume-based pricing

• Supplier Selection Scope: Cost and pricing, past engagements, geographical presence

• Supplier Selection Criteria: Pricing, network, technology, customer service, flexibility, and security

• Report Coverage: Revenue forecast, supplier ranking, supplier positioning matrix, emerging technology, pricing models, cost structure, competitive landscape, growth factors, trends, engagement, and operating model

Brief about Pipeline by Grand View Research:

A smart and effective supply chain is essential for growth in any organization. Pipeline division at Grand View Research provides detailed insights on every aspect of supply chain, which helps in efficient procurement decisions.

Our services include (not limited to):

• Market Intelligence involving – market size and forecast, growth factors, and driving trends

• Price and Cost Intelligence – pricing models adopted for the category, total cost of ownerships

• Supplier Intelligence – rich insight on supplier landscape, and identifies suppliers who are dominating, emerging, lounging, and specializing

• Sourcing / Procurement Intelligence – best practices followed in the industry, identifying standard KPIs and SLAs, peer analysis, negotiation strategies to be utilized with the suppliers, and best suited countries for sourcing to minimize supply chain disruptions