Founded by racing engineer Colin Chapman (1928-1982), Lotus’ sports car business had languished for decades under previous management before being taken over by Chinese titan Geely Automotive in 2017. Geely has since Invested over £100m to bring the Hethel campus to rights. We toured the company’s sleek new cafeteria; the airy meeting room; and a sports arena-sized design studio, with a brightly lit central courtyard and a phalanx of surface-measuring and pattern-milling robots.

It’s like a big weird going away party. The Emira will be the last gasoline-powered Lotus before the portfolio goes all-electric, starting with deliveries of the Evija EV hypercar later this year. Hello I have to go.

When I first laid eyes on the Emira I thought, sure. That’s why you set up your styling studio in England and your cooking school in France. The car looks fantastic, like it’s going 180 mph when it’s stationary. But, to be clear, it also goes 180 mph, thanks to the 400-hp V6 that lives behind the seats.

Roughly the size of the outgoing Evora, the Emira is a leap in car-building detail and distance drama. Count the number of cut lines in the body that are not there. Deep door sills are hidden in the rocker panel trim. The closed lines of the hood disappear under the triangulated elements between the front fenders.

As for sex appeal, please. The Emira’s chiseled waist makes Ronaldo look like a slob.

And the styling doesn’t even try that hard. Note the restraint in the lower grille, with a front splitter providing realistic clearance. In the converging splendor behind the jet-like canopy, a curvaceous spoiler is subtly integrated into the rear hatch. Delicious.

No hybrid motors or traction batteries. No electric power steering or electric braking (both systems are hydraulic). No magnetic dampers or active aerodynamics. No dual-clutch transmission, all-wheel drive or torque vectoring. Instead, a three-pedal six-speed transmission is standard (automatic optional), buttoned to a limited-slip rear differential.

The 1990s were called: They want their Ferrari back.

When in the past people (me!) asked why Lotuses didn’t have advanced technology, they (Alastair!) fell back on the pure driving argument, reciting Chapman’s famous saying “Simplify and add lightness”. But it was also to save money. Today, in the shadow of electrification, Lotus’ lo-fi essentialism has become quite chic and collectible.

Emira’s cash game is strong: $93,900 for the V6 First Edition. That’s a few thousand less than the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, which is the only new sport driving machine worth comparing. Other powertrain options for the Emira, more sober in power and consumption, are in preparation. But the six-speed V6 is the bodice-ripper.

The rain has stopped. After receiving a quick briefing on the controls, I exited campus into the green lane and shifted into first gear.

Oh my. Ahh. Oh. MMM! Oh darling! I could run naked through a field of any feeling.

It’s definitely familiar. With the raucous 3.5-litre V6 and gear lever borrowed from Evora, the Emira’s swiftness comes as before – panting and tugging on the leash, eager to reel in. The motor’s peak torque (310 lb-ft) kicks in at 2,700 rpm and stays until 6,700 rpm, so it’s quite windy between 2nd and 4th gear. The winding whine of the supercharger makes it sound like there’s a shortwave radio behind the seats. When I slowed through a turn and let the engine burn out, the exhaust outlets creaked properly.

The Emira’s dynamics aren’t completely analog. Four riding modes progressively lower his inhibitions: Tour, Sport, Race, and the last, with stability control completely deactivated, the brazenly named Fully Off.

But the Emira is so naturally drivable that you’d have to be an idiot to lose control, with or without electronic intercession. Like Lotuses of the past, the Emira goes where you point it as fast as you want, at whatever glide angle you desire. One reason: Lotus engineers always place a car’s polar axis – the imaginary vertical stick around which it spins as it turns – exactly inside the driver’s hip. A few centimeters forward or back and the car will feel less responsive, still slightly behind the driver’s intentions. While the Emir already knew what I wanted for dinner that night.

The Emira’s bonded aluminum chassis takes technology that Lotus has relied on since 1996, but now with the precision of automated assembly. The car is stiff as a drill. Again, no surprise.

What’s new and different is everything else, everything that workers hang from and hang from the frame: doors and windows, seats and floors, instruments and switches – parts often on the not so pleasant side of the global supply chain. There were some very AutoZone-y years.

Geely’s product development pockets are deep and wide. Cabin upholstery, touchscreen-based user environment, climate control system, steering wheel, power assist functions, all match perfectly with those of a Cayman or Jaguar F-Type top of the line, that is to say brilliant. The KEF branded audio system is mega.

Meanwhile, the fit and finish of the working prototype was superb. All seams aligned. The side windows sit in their weatherstripping like sexy Tupperware. And as I raced down rough roads at a rowdy pace, I didn’t hear a single rattle, hiss, squeal or chirp.

It’s different.

2022 Lotus Emira V6 First Edition (prototype)

Price, as tested: $93,900

Powertrain : Mid-mounted, longitudinally-oriented 3.5-liter DOHC supercharged V6; six-speed manual transmission; limited slip rear differential.

Power/torque: 400 hp @ 6,800 rpm / 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) @ 2,700-6,700 rpm

Length/wheelbase/width/height: 173.7/101.3/74.6 (mirrors folded)/48.2″

Dry weight: 3,097 pounds

0-60mph: 4.3 seconds

EPA Fuel Economy: 17/26 mpg city/highway (est.)

Baggage capacity: 12.7 cubic feet

Write to Dan Neil at [email protected]

Comics and hobby store Great Stories Inc., formerly of Uxbridge and now of Whitinsville, has emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever, expanding to a new, larger space and garnering a wider customer base.

While many small businesses have become economic victims of the pandemic, that was not the case for Great Stories. “Coming out of COVID restrictions, our numbers just exploded at the start of 2021,” said owner Christopher Mills. At first, Mills and his team thought it was an aberration – with customers just thrilled to be on the go again. “But it kind of held together through the year,” he said.

When it became clear this was the new normal in late 2021, they realized the store’s 1,600 square foot location in Uxbridge wasn’t big enough to accommodate the growing community. Thus, they began the hunt for new excavations towards the end of the year in November.

Sitting comfortably in its current 5,000 square feet, Great Stories Inc. is now able to use its new space to become not just a store, but also a community center as in-person events return. “As we settle in, we’ll be launching more tournaments and bringing our community together,” Mills said. Card table seats have tripled to 90 – making room for around 45 games – along with six tables for miniature games.

UPTOWN — After more than a year of pandemic-caused delays, BadaBing Wings is open in Uptown, promising “you’ll never bother” wings — if you can get your hands on them.

BadaBing Wings opened Jan. 3 at 4754 N. Clark St. and had early success, running out of wings on some days, owner Jose Lopez said. This is due to a combination of early interest from the neighborhood and a nationwide shortage of chicken wings during the pandemic.

On opening weekend, Lopez had only the last wings left from her boutique by the end of the day on Sunday.

“Before opening, I posted photos [of the wings on social media,] and people started following me,” Lopez said. “When I opened, people immediately started coming in.”

After spending much of his life in the restaurant industry, Lopez started working to open BadaBing Wings in 2020, when he signed a lease for a store on Clark Street, just south of Lawrence Avenue.

Since then, the business owner has suffered supply shortages, delivery blockages and a lack of workers. Some of those problems persist, but early customer feedback has Lopez hoping his wing shop will be a success.

“I just want to make great food and be part of the community,” Lopez said. “I took a risk during COVID, I know that. My whole life is in there. I just pray it goes well.

Credit: Instagram/BadaBing Wings

Lopez started working in restaurants at age 14, when he went to work at Renaldi, then owned by his godfather. From there, Lopez managed pizzerias in the area and helped his friend open the children’s entertainment company Fun Zone in the suburb of Downers Grove.

Lopez managed the company’s concessions, and Fun Zone had adult customers who came in just to order take-out wings and pizza, he said. Fun Zone closed during the pandemic, but the experience gave Lopez the confidence to open her own food business.

“The restaurant industry has always been in my heart,” Lopez said. “Wings, I specialized for years. I just wanted to create a good brand.

Lopez got the name BadaBing Wings from the adults-only club in “The Sopranos” and gave the company the tagline “wings you’ll never be crazy about.” The menu and restaurant have a gangster theme, which Lopez said she decided to lean into after learning her Clark Street building had ties to Al Capone and his gang.

But opening the business meant facing the realities of the pandemic.

After signing the lease in November 2020, Lopez faced multiple hurdles in setting up his space, he said. This included a shortage and price hikes on timber and copper, as well as supply chain issues for kitchen equipment.

Then there’s the shortage of chicken wings, which has caused wing prices to skyrocket during the pandemic. This led Lopez to keep inventory tight, causing a few days when it sold out.

BadaBing Wings had to close for a few days due to a shortage of manpower and wings.

The problem could be solved if Lopez was willing to order different products. But it has stuck to its halal jumbo wings, which are of the highest quality and offer consistency to customers, he said. Lopez absorbs the cost of his wings as much as possible, he said.

“I want people to like the food and I don’t want to hurt them,” Lopez said. “If the texture changes, people will know about it.”

Credit: Joe Ward/Block Club Chicago

While waiting for the supply chain issue, Lopez took her time perfecting her product and came up with some unique items.

Lopez’s “Capone sauce” is a version of the traditional buffalo sauce that has a sweetness with a tangy heat. The “Bing Secret Sauce” has a thousand island base with hints of honey mustard and a smoky aftertaste.

BadaBing also serves “pizza fritta” dessert, which is pizza dough mixed with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Lopez said he hopes to meet more local customers on Super Bowl Sunday and bring even more joy to the community.

“I hope it’s busy,” he said. “If people order wings here, they’ll love it.”

BadaBing Wings is open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday and from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Friday to Saturday.

Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every penny we earn funds neighborhoods across Chicago.

Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.

Thank you for subscribing to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every penny we make funds Chicago neighborhoods. Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.

Listen to “It’s Alright: A Block Club Chicago Podcast” Here:

A Mercedes-Benz logo is seen outside a Mercedes-Benz car dealership, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Brussels, Belgium May 28, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman

BERLIN, Feb 11 (Reuters) – Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans (DAIGn.DE) expects adjusted EBIT of 14 billion euros ($15.94 billion) in 2021, it said in preliminary results released on Friday, as it focuses on higher sales. promoting electric vehicles.

The luxury automaker forecast an adjusted sales return of 12.7% for the full year, beating its own forecast by 10-12%, with higher electric vehicle sales offsetting supply chain issues. supply.

Its share price rose to 71.12 euros at 08:59 GMT, against 69.01 euros at the opening of the markets.

Data released by Mercedes-Benz last month showed sales of battery electric vehicles rose more than 90% in 2021 even as total sales fell 5%, with the automaker prioritizing passenger cars. greater value in the face of semiconductor shortages.

Its CEO, Ola Kaellenius, has repeatedly said the automaker’s goal is to increase profitability rather than focus exclusively on unit sales, as the company strives to increase its valuation by stock market after parting ways with Daimler Truck (DTGGe.DE) in December last year. .

“Our strong results are the result of highly sought-after products and a focus on profitable growth and cost discipline,” Kaellenius said in a statement.

The fourth quarter saw an adjusted sales return of 15%, the company said on Friday, with profitability boosted by “strong net pricing, a good product mix and favorable used-car performance.”

Mercedes-Benz expects the deconsolidation of Daimler Truck to boost its EBIT by 9 to 10 billion euros.

Mercedes-Benz is due to release its annual results on February 24.

($1 = 0.8783 euros)

Reporting by Victoria Waldersee Editing by Paul Carrel and Elaine Hardcastle

Our standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Last year saw the fastest economic growth since Ronald Reagan was president. But for many people, 2021 felt less like “Morning in America” ​​and more like a restless night plagued by restless dreams about the ongoing pandemic.

The Commerce Department reported on Thursday that the country’s gross domestic product rose 5.7% last year – the biggest increase since 1984. But growth has come in spurts, with hopes of a recovery regularly wiped out repeatedly by successive waves of infection.

And now, uncertainty lingers in the coming year as the omicron variant continues to spread. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is preparing to raise interest rates, perhaps aggressively, in an effort to combat stubbornly high inflation.

“It wasn’t a straight line for the economy last year, that’s for sure,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “The economy remains linked to the pandemic.”

Business boomed in the spring and early summer last year as millions of Americans got vaccinated and felt free to travel and dine out more. In June and July alone, employers added more than 2 million jobs, almost a third of the year’s total job gains.

But growth slowed when the delta variant hit.

“It was crazy. It was a roller coaster,” says Dave Krick, owner of three restaurants in Boise, Idaho.

Krick had high hopes for the end of the year, after a busy October, and he planned to resume hosting private parties at his restaurants, only to pull the plug when the infection rate started to climb again skyrocketing as the omicron variant began to spread. .

“It was a teaser. We thought the holiday season was going to be really good,” Krick said. “These end-of-year parties are a big part of the success of the year for us. And we have canceled practically everything.”

An economic blow – and a groan

The Commerce Department said GDP grew at an annual rate of 6.9% in the last three months of the year, driven in part by stronger exports and an accumulation of inventories.

But the fourth quarter was as uneven as the previous nine months.

“Q4 started with a bang and ended with a whimper,” said Zandi. “October was a fantastic month for the economy – consumer spending, investment – everything was running at full steam. And then in December, omicron came on the scene quickly and did a lot of damage.”

While unemployment fell to just 3.9% – the lowest level since the start of the pandemic – employers added just 199,000 jobs in December.

And forecasters expect this weakness to continue into the new year.

Early jobless claims in recent weeks suggest some employers are cutting jobs in response to the omicron wave.

Even though last year’s economic growth was the strongest in decades, it fell short of what economists had originally hoped. Early last year, some forecasters believed the combination of widespread vaccinations and pent-up demand would fuel an even stronger boom, with GDP growth of up to 7%.

“There were just too many people who weren’t vaccinated,” Zandi said. “It’s admirable how well the economy has held up, despite the fact that vaccines haven’t exactly solved the problem.”

Pandemic-related supply chain issues and labor shortages have weighed on economic growth, while driving up prices.

“Even though we had a lot of demand, we weren’t able to do as much as we hoped,” said Krick, the restaurant’s owner.

Its labor costs have risen sharply this year, thanks to higher wages and new health benefits. Restaurant food costs are also on the rise.

“Our supply chains don’t like this roller coaster,” Krick said. “We have a hard time predicting what we’re going to get and not get, so we have to adjust quickly with the menus and that takes a lot of time and energy. And the costs are really tough.”

National restaurant meal prices were 6% higher in December than a year ago, while headline inflation hit 7% – the highest level since 1982.

Will 2022 be better?

The new year will likely continue to be marked by the path of the pandemic – as well as the fight against inflation.

The Federal Reserve signaled on Wednesday that it plans to start raising interest rates at its next meeting in March, in a bid to contain prices, and markets are expecting three more rate hikes over the course of the year.

The challenge for the central bank is not to brake too hard and slow the economy too much – a tricky feat given that some economists believe the central bank has waited too long to fight inflation.

“We expect some slowdown in the omicron economy, but we think that should be temporary,” Fed Chairman Jerome Powell told reporters. “We think the underlying strength in the economy should show up fairly quickly thereafter.”

Zandi said he was confident that the central bank could gradually withdraw its easy money policies without blocking the recovery.

“I think they will be able to do that and land the economy plane on the tarmac,” he said. “It might be a little bumpy here. There’s a lot of headwinds in the economy.”

Most of the federal relief programs that pumped trillions into people’s pockets during the pandemic have also expired, though restaurants are asking Congress for more help.

Zandi thinks the economy will continue to grow in 2022, but at a slower pace of around 4%.

“We are all striving to better navigate the virus and learn to live with and manage it,” Zandi said. “I hope we have another good year in 2022.”

Krick also hopes business will continue to rebound, but he makes no firm predictions about the year ahead.

“One thing we know right now is that we don’t know what 2022 is going to bring us,” he said. “We are losing a lot of money hoping that this spring and summer will be better, mainly because we have no choice. It’s a strange time to run a restaurant.”

Groceries, complex electronics and furniture could be hard to come by if an outbreak of Omicron were to strain national supply chains.

Brad Olsen, senior economist at Infometrics, said that based on the experience of other countries, Omicron could cause more supply chain disruption domestically than previous Covid-19 variants.

“The supply chain issues caused by Omicron could really hamper New Zealand’s ability to move goods,” Olsen said.

Motor carriers and major supermarkets would have contingency plans in place in the event of an outbreak, but consumers should expect delays for some products, he said.

READ MORE:
* Supermarkets ask customers not to panic to buy in anticipation of an outbreak of Omicron
* Plan ahead and don’t stockpile: What can Kiwis expect as supply issues persist?
* Employers are cautious about preparations for the “seriously ill”
* Covid-19: Supermarkets watch Omicron problems in Australia

“Consumers should expect delivery delays in supermarkets, which will hopefully lead to bare shelves in the short term and fewer options at major commercial suppliers,” Olsen said.

The extent of an outbreak’s impact depends on the industries in the country in which it occurs, he said.

“If it starts to affect the port sector, imports of goods such as electronics could be difficult to enter, if it affects the trucking and road transport sector, the movement of domestic goods could be more difficult.”

Consumer goods whose supply levels need to be monitored would be medical supplies, foodstuffs and retail goods such as electronics, IT equipment, furniture and household hobbies, he said. declared.

Don Braid, chief executive of Mainfreight, said Omicron did not change the way the company prepared for an outbreak.

“We now have access to rapid antigen tests which we will use regularly, our vaccination rates are close to 100% and we are also running a booster program,” Braid said.

The potential for staff shortages caused by a more transmissible variant of Covid-19 was not a big concern for Braid, who said the company was confident it had enough people on deck to deal with a epidemic.

“We’ve managed to navigate our way through the last two outbreaks, and we’re confident we’ll be able to get through another one.”

Countdown spokeswoman Kiri Hannifin said the supermarket was looking to Australia for lessons on how to better manage an outbreak.

“We are working closely with our colleagues in Australia to understand the likely key pressure points Omicron will create in our supply chain and to ensure that we have procedures in place to manage this,” he said. she declared.

Hannifin said Countdown staff had learned several lessons from the August lockdown and were well prepared for another outbreak.

Thousands of employees were off work during the August outbreak and a number of measures were taken to manage the situation, she said.

Store opening hours have been reduced, some stores have been temporarily closed and staff have been redeployed to areas most in need, she said.

Besides international supply shortages, most Countdown stores were well stocked, she said.

Foodstuffs spokeswoman Emma Wooster said the company, which owns the Pak ‘n Save and New World supermarket brands, had the advantage of learning how the variant was affecting supply chains overseas. .

“As you would expect, we have recently reviewed our operating plans and procedures with the arrival of Omicron in mind. Although we have reactive plans ready to use, we continue our vigilance with all the existing protocols that we already have in our Covid-19 protection toolkit,” she said.

Wooster said that during the August lockdown, all Pak ‘n Save, New World and Four Square stores were able to stay open, giving him confidence that Foodstuffs would be able to handle an outbreak of Omicron.

Sunny Kaushal, chairman of the Dairies and Business Owners Group, said dairies would have an even harder time getting supplies than supermarkets.

“Once supermarkets are full and have a monopoly on supplies, it will be difficult for dairies and other small retailers to stock up. Packaged foods, toilet paper, oils, all those things that we sell, and they will have to be imported. It will be difficult,” he said.

Kaushal said a number of dairy owners were concerned about the impact of Omicron on their business.

“We have seen how much of an issue this is causing in Australia, and we can expect potentially greater disruption in New Zealand as we are more isolated. We have to prepare now,” Kaushal said.

By Tyler W. McCoy, Chief Engineer at JR Automation

Leverage advancements in warehouse automation – including advanced robotics – to create flexible and robust supply chains that meet growing customer demands. A radical change in consumer behavior accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic has exponentially widened the wide-scale adoption of e-commerce and online shopping. As consumers increasingly shop online for standard items like groceries and household supplies, this shift is likely to become permanent, creating a significant impact on warehouse operations and creating new opportunities. innovation.

So far, the first winners in this business environment have been early tech users such as Amazon and Ocado who have innovated with robotics and software to create more efficient and sustainable supply chains. However, there is room in this space for everyone who is ready to embrace warehouse automation and robotics. Those who do not participate in this breakthrough innovation are likely to fall behind.

Adapt to warehouse challenges with intelligent robotics

Traditionally, robotics has applied stationary and repeatable applications such as those in automotive assembly lines. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are enabling breakthroughs in perception and complex decision-making in real time. This allows robotic technologies to operate efficiently in more complex and unstructured environments such as warehouses and distribution networks.

Due to the modularity and scalability inherent in robotic picking, sorting and palletizing systems, organizations of all sizes can reap the benefits of these innovations while making warehouse operations efficient, profitable and safe. The ability to add solutions with a high return on investment (ROI) coupled with manual processes makes them ideal candidates for investing in existing manual installations.

Hitachi

Embracing Warehouse Automation Today

The rise of e-commerce has pushed existing parcel and distribution networks to their limits. Faced with a huge need for efficiency and increased capacity that warehouse automation can fill, a new generation of intelligent robotic solutions has started to take hold. The scalability of these solutions makes them ideal for a still predominantly manual industry, and they are a logical next step. For many businesses, the adoption of warehouse automation is lagging far behind or absent altogether. According to DHL research, 80% of warehouses remain manually operated.¹ Another recent survey indicates that the biggest investments to date are in transportation (63%), while robotic palletizing and picking is still very low (15% and 8%, respectively).²

Large e-commerce companies know that agile and automated supply chains are essential to meet demand and stay ahead of the competition. To keep pace with these major players, smaller and emerging e-commerce companies need to take the right steps to automate their warehouse supply chains.

When every season is high season

Before the pandemic, e-commerce and logistics were geared towards peak season (early November to January). Distribution networks would ramp up for peak and then grapple with underutilized capacity for the remaining nine months. In 2020, the peak started in mid-March and has not slowed down. The challenge for many small businesses today is to innovate and grow in a cutting edge environment that never abates. Businesses no longer have the luxury of downtime to upgrade facilities to increase capacity and incorporate new technology.

E-commerce giants find it easier to integrate new technology organically because their technology stacks are already built. Small businesses must work to bridge this chasm. One of the advantages of advanced robotics is that it can be integrated into operations without taking a system or facility out of service. Robotics can be added bit by bit, in a modular fashion, without major disruption.

There is a significant need among both types of companies for a partner and an integrator capable of developing, producing and evolving solutions across the entire distribution network.

Hitachi

Integration expertise meets technology

Together, Hitachi and JR Automation (which was acquired by Hitachi in 2019) work with customers to co-create the products and robotics they need to solve vendor problems, then bring an entire team to scale up. . This is achievable for large companies as well as for small players in the industry.

Together, Hitachi and JR Automation bring deep cross-industry expertise in integrating fundamental robotic technologies into a variety of use cases, including e-commerce warehouse operations. JR Automation succeeds in executing hundreds of vision-based robotic solutions in the warehouse and logistics space. Vision-based solutions recognize and adapt to the high mix of materials to be handled and make real-time decisions on appropriate picking strategies.

By leveraging their scale, JR Automation and Hitachi have developed a separate high-volume deployment business and are now uniquely positioned to develop and refine initial system designs while deploying at scale. For one client, we deployed over 150 robotic solutions in a warehouse environment over two years.

Putting warehouse robotics at the service of businesses

The challenge for every business is to make these technologies work to meet the specific needs of the business. By combining JR Automation’s operational technology expertise with Hitachi’s core strengths in cloud infrastructure, data analytics and IT, we provide a digital thread that allows you to analyze your resource planning. enterprise (ERP) for your entire supply chain. With this analysis, you can accurately understand inventory, supply chain risks, and optimize warehouse operational technology to meet your needs.

Your starting point is where you are. You don’t need to have all the answers. We can craft the right problem statement and the best solution for you, so you can start your robotic journey early and define your best first moves. We help you create a holistic, customized solution that addresses your challenges and provides insight across your entire IT and warehousing infrastructure so you can make continuous improvements.

Hitachi

Robust supply chains are critical infrastructures. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this clear. Every country must have a ready-to-use supply chain that meets daily needs, capable of responding quickly to any emergency. Hitachi’s goal as a technology provider and integrator is to contribute to the social well-being of the world by helping companies set up these types of supply chains so that they are well prepared to face any situation. Robotics technology is the future of warehouse and logistics automation supply chains. Now your business can be supply chain ready.

Learn more about Hitachi’s role in JR Automation and warehouse logistics and automation.

This post was created by Hitachi with Insider Studios.

---

¹“Warehouse automation: the rise of warehouse robots ”, Logistics IQ, 2019

²Bridget McCrea, “Annual Warehouse and Distribution Center Automation Survey: More Automation, Please”, Logistics Management, May 15, 2019

With the New Year finally here, it’s undeniable that we are in the midst of the New Year’s resolution period, a frenetic optimism, filled with home gym equipment, planners, and countless self-improvement apps. But between inflation and lingering supply chain issues, many of the same issues seem to follow us into the New Year. The increase in Covid cases across the country is also not making navigation easier this year: Concerns over the omicron variant coupled with severe snowstorms have caused massive flight cancellations for thousands of vacationing travelers, while that retailers like Apple, Walmart and Macy’s have temporarily closed or reduced hours at several stores in response to the increase in cases.

Still, there’s a lot to look forward to in the retail space in 2022. Today marks the first in-person day of CES 2022 – the biggest tech conference of the year hosted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). However, Covid concerns have led some large companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Meta to cancel their physical appearances this year, and CTA recently announced it would end the event a day ahead of schedule. .

Notable innovations at the tech show to date include Sony’s world’s first 4K QD-OLED TV and the company’s backbone to electric cars, Belkin’s all-new SOUNDFORM Immerse noise-canceling headphones, and a new line of televisions from Samsung and LG. The multi-day event will continue through January 7, with more tech giants and small startups expected to make major announcements in the coming days.

To round out your first week of 2022, we’ve highlighted a few notable launches from Vitruvi, Walmart, and Public Goods, along with some exciting sales for the New Year.

New at Vitruvi, Walmart and public goods

Below, we’ve selected a few recent launches that we think will interest you based on the interest of Select readers and our past coverage.

Vitruvi launches new colors for its Stone Diffuser

Vitruvi has just announced that its popular Stone Diffuser will be available in two new colors: Lavender and Eucalyptus. According to the brand, these colors were the two most requested colors by the Vitruvi community. Crafted from matte ceramic, Vitruvi’s Stone Diffuser can also serve as an attractive decor while releasing an essential oil of your choice into the air – just add water and 20-25 drops of your essential oil and select the desired time settings.

Walmart Partners With The Home Edit For Exclusive Collection

Looking to get organized for the New Year? Walmart has teamed up with the stars of Netflix’s “Get Organized with The Home Edit” – professional home organizers Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin – to create an exclusive product line of organizational solutions and tools. The Home Edit collection includes everything from modular 3 tier storage systems and 5 piece laundry organizers to stackable bins and ornament organizers. The line is sold exclusively at the retail giant, both in-store and online.

Public Goods launches skin care products

Sustainable lifestyle brand Public Goods recently made its debut in skin care. Last month, she released a line of clean, non-sexist products made from science-backed ingredients as part of her “Made in Nature” campaign, according to the brand. The skin care line includes clay mask, gentle cleanser and vitamin C serum, as well as other products made from natural ingredients like coconut oil, wax bee and coffee. The skin care line is the latest addition to Public Goods’ more than 200 product catalog, which includes everything from cleaning products and housewares to groceries and menstrual care products.

Related

Current sales this week

If you are looking for sales and deals for the new year, we have compiled a few notable options among retailers and select readers’ favorite categories.

Related

Discover Select’s in-depth coverage on personal finance, technology and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Officials at the San Francisco-Marino food bank said Monday their organization is urgently seeking funds as it continues to face challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Labor shortage issues, rising transportation costs and food prices, and food shortage have intensified over the past year, hampering the organization’s ability to deliver products. groceries to those in need, food bank officials said.

Faced with higher spending, the food bank hopes to raise 60 percent of its annual budget by the end of the year.

“We need to increase 60% of our annual budget in the last few days of the year to meet the financial goals required to meet the needs of our community,” said Tanis Crosby, executive director of the San Francisco-Marin food bank. , in a press release.

“We are struggling to keep up with rising food prices due to supply chain issues, but all of this is straining our financial resources, making year-end donations more critical, and With the Omicron variant soaring, we are deeply concerned that the need for food aid will continue to grow through a significant part of 2022. We call on all members of the community to come together and give everything they can and join us in ending hunger, ”she said.

Currently, the food bank distributes approximately one million meals to over 50,000 households. Before this pandemic, the organization served much less to 32,000 households per week.

Food bank beneficiaries are enrolled through the state’s CalFresh program, the organization providing home deliveries of groceries, including fresh fruits and vegetables, officials from the organization said.

To donate or volunteer, visit www.sfmfoodbank.org.

Copyright © 2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, redistribution, or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the Greater Bay Area.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help educate the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that by 2021 more than 42 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch Social Good Project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Donate to Feeding America

With 2021 ending soon and 2022 starting soon, we felt it was time for retailers to take a break. This article represents a time to reflect on how retail is becoming increasingly consumer-centric in new and unexpected ways. From TikTok to Nike, we highlight three key trends that have emerged and definitely reshaped the industry.

1. Omnipresent Omnichannel

Retail industries that are hesitant or unsure of how to embrace digital consumer offerings should consider that consumers live in an Amazon-driven world. Instant, transparent and accessible shopping is the present and future of retail.

In short, consumers want options in what PYMNTS dubbed the ‘bring it to me economy’ earlier this year, a digital shift that has accelerated under COVID-19 but has now taken hold over the years. Last 18 months in a wave of consumers living and working from home.

See also: Bring It On Me Economy Grows As Consumers Embrace Home-Centered Lifestyles

It’s a trend that shows no signs of reversing, especially with omicron now raging in the United States and around the world.

“I think people new to live trading are surprisingly shocked at its quality,” Arthur Veytsman, co-founder and CEO of Immerss, told PYMNTS earlier this year. “If you’re a store that doesn’t offer this, the customer is going to switch to your competitor who is better at serving the customer. “

Read more: Retailers embrace clienteling to make the shopping experience more personal

Take the grocery industry, where only 1% of paper coupons in grocery stores are redeemed.

Digital coupons, on the other hand, have 15% redemption rates, perhaps because they’re much more data-driven and can be more easily personalized to reflect different consumer needs.

With 46% of consumers now ordering more groceries online than before COVID-19, according to PYMNTS research, digital discounts not only work, but they also make a lot of sense.

Related: Grocers can leverage contagion issues to drive digital adoption

In other areas of non-food retail, omnichannel offerings will become an integral part of the typical consumer shopping experience, PYMNTS predicted.

Consider, for example, Bed Bath & Beyond looking to modernize its supply chain and revamp its merchandise operations – or the acquisition of Whiplash-Ryder linked to omnichannel offerings serving more than 250 brands in warehouses spanning nearly 7 million. square feet.

Even Chipotle is on its way to becoming the Uber of the food business. (Also interesting, you can now apply to work at Chipotle through TikTok, as part of the burrito maker’s efforts to tap into younger employees.)

Read more: Chipotle follows in Uber’s footsteps with omnichannel innovation

Digital upgrades can also be seen in the way some retailers are leveraging technology to ensure consumers can easily order out-of-stock items, as a proactive way to not lose a sale.

“We’re about to see how much of this enthusiasm – for cross-channel conduits and the means to get your meat and veg – is reflected on the world stage,” PYMNTS wrote. “The trends seem in place for the growth of omni-retail to continue. “

See also: Retailers embrace clienteling to make the shopping experience more personal

“It’s about making a deep connection with a consumer who is linked to the emotional thrill of a truly unique purchase that speaks to them and adds value and joy to their life,” PYMNTS said.

Related: 2021 is the year of NFT and Omnichannel Auction Houses

2. We hear you

Consumers watch the movements of retailers and take a keen interest in what the companies they buy from are doing to make the world around them a better place.

For example, Nike recently announced its intention to design and sell products related to consumer values ​​on topics such as diversity and inclusion, underrepresented athletes, and more.

See also: Nike is committed to strengthening consumer connection and innovation to expand the Athleisure trend

Also consider how startup Future now offers a Visa card that rewards consumers 5% on green spending, and how banking startup Aspiration now plants a tree for every transaction made.

“We are planting more trees than there are in Central Park every day,” Aspiration told PYMNTS. “We see our payment mechanisms as sustainable delivery mechanisms. “

Read more: FutureCard offers rewards for “green spending”

Indeed, sustainability as a delivery mechanism is a fascinating concept. It’s a question that many companies, like Basware, take very seriously.

For example, last May, Basware announced a strategy to make it easier for consumers to see which businesses were owned by minorities. It did this by granting consumers direct access to various data. The benefit to the consumer, said Basware, was that it gave them a holistic view of the supply chain. And businesses benefit from turning information into actionable strategies.

When consumers have what they need at their fingertips to make informed, informed decisions, everyone benefits from increased transparency.

Related: Basware, Dun & Bradstreet are working on identifying supplier diversity

3. Re-engage with commitment

Forget the brick and mortar – today some companies are looking to engage consumers in virtual worlds, via virtual reality or the metaverse.

For example, consider how TikTok got into the restaurant business and opened their own restaurant chain. TikTok announced earlier this month that it will create 1,000 virtual kitchens as part of a partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts.

The move, PYMNTS wrote, poses a threat to quick service restaurants around the world and the order aggregators that serve them.

Read more: TikTok takes on the fast food giants with 1,000 virtual kitchens

With a menu that will change quarterly, TikTok Kitchen, developed alongside GrubHub, will feature menu items that have gone viral on TikTok.

Retailers’ forays into new and different consumer engagement tactics like this are increasingly common.

For example, Nike seeks to dip its toes into the metaverse. As reported by PYMNTS, Nike recently launched the NIKELAND three-dimensional immersion experience on Roblox.

See also: Nike creates a virtual world within Roblox

And after

Even though e-commerce and digital transactions evolve rapidly, many retailers would be well served by taking a break and really listening to what consumers want and need next.

Offers that meet consumers where they are, support greater societal morality on a large scale, and are not afraid to take unconventional risks that foster new levels of community will drive the future of retailing. detail.