Consumer confidence remains low in the UK, due to the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis and high energy bills. While the fall in inflation in October 2023 was a welcome sign, it’s too early to tell what the longer-term picture will be. At the end of 2023, it still looks likely that the UK could be at risk of a recession.

Sustainability has established itself as a vital aspect of corporate management. However, due to ongoing crises, it’s a topic that is seen by many as less socially relevant these days. Find out here what the prospects are for 2024 and what new obligations companies will face.

Procurement is increasingly moving online, leading to increased demand for a professional online shopping experience. B2B buyers now increasingly expect a seamless ordering process in online shops. In 2024, sellers will have to make a special effort to prepare for and adapt to these expectations.

It’s estimated that more than 350 suppliers for various industries are based in the hardest-hit region near the Gaza Strip alone. A future shortage of the chemical element bromine is just one of the possible consequences of disrupted supply chains.

The prices of raw materials are spiralling out of control, and procurement in Europe is becoming increasingly difficult. To reduce costs and secure supply, companies need their supply chains to be completely transparent. Find out here what that entails.

For many companies, the search for “best cost countries” has long been the driver for globalisation. However, in light of the most recent international crises, this approach is losing ground. Is global sourcing an outdated model, and will it be replaced by regional or local sourcing?

Just-in-time and just-in-case are two different strategies for warehousing and production planning in companies. Due to ongoing global tensions, there’s a trend towards securing inventory – despite significantly higher storage costs. Keep reading to find out more.

In contrast to many countries, the UK has no single law or regulation covering economic, social and governance (ESG) concerns: there is, for example, no equivalent of Germany’s Act on Corporate Due Diligence in Supply Chains. In many ways, the UK is falling behind other countries in terms of legislation aimed at preventing ESG harms. However, ESG compliance and sustainability are important factors for UK companies and their supply chains: non-compliance can, in addition to the clear human cost, have implications for a company’s finances and reputation. Read on to find out what companies need t ...

First the COVID-19 pandemic, then the Ukraine war and inflation: global developments have put the procurement market under constant strain. One thing can help mitigate this trend: a well-thought-out supplier management plan. Find out here how you can achieve this with the right purchasing strategy.

Digitalisation is substantially revolutionising supply chains. One aspect of this trend is urban logistics, with its focus on the last mile to customers, a concept which is steadily gaining ground in e-commerce. Here you can learn more about what urban logistics can achieve and how it transforms short-distance transport.

The vision of a fully autonomous HGV is becoming closer to reality: in the US, driverless trucks could soon be on the road. This technology has numerous benefits and could revolutionize the industry. Here’s more on this topic.

Software solutions such as Microsoft Teams and Slack are now commonplace in companies of almost all sizes. But which collaboration software is the best fit for you? We take a look at the increasing use of these tools and give you an in-depth analysis of innovative team communication solutions.

Due to a water shortage, the Panama Canal is currently only partially passable. Find out here what consequences this has for container shipping, how supply chains are suffering from this disruption in global trade and what consequences can be expected for consumers.

The African continent offers great potential for UK companies, with digitalization and green energy being its main economic growth factors. Here you can find out more about the African market and how to find help with procurement.

German trade with Eastern Europe remains strong - despite the war between Russia and Ukraine: in 2022, exports to the 29 members of the German Eastern Business Association (OAOEV) rose to 562 billion euros (442 billion GBP). This is a 12% increase compared to the previous year. In 2023, however, this trend could be reversed.

The recent past has demonstrated the EU’s vulnerability to international crises. One focal point was the weakening supply of semiconductors. The aim of the EU Chips Act is to ensure increased future production of semiconductors in the EU.

The European Commission has drawn up a proposal for a law called the EU AI Act, which aims to regulate the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI). The core element is classification of risk, including a ban on certain types of AI.

Elements of social media networks have found their way into almost all companies. Many possibilities are available from a closed intranet to collaborating on projects together online. The advantages: Employees can better exchange ideas and their sense of togetherness is strengthened.

Under the European gas price cap, no more gas may be purchased if it exceeds a certain price limit. This has drawn criticism in many places. Companies, however, benefit from the German government's gas price brake. Find out to what extent here.

The switch in the transport of goods from road to rail is desirable from an environmental perspective. There is now a model project which is supposed to facilitate booking combined forms of transport with different carriers.
 

It's not easy to convert a good idea into a successful business model. Founders have to consider many relevant aspects to avoid failing early with their start-up. Please read below what the eight steps of primary importance are.
 

It could be worse, yet the industry mood is not bright: the actual growth rate is close to zero. The five most important machine engineering trends demonstrate how companies can respond to the time of crisis.
 

First it was lockdowns, now it's horrendous infection figures in China that are causing unrest in European companies. Experts see new risks emerging for supply chains. Current economic figures seem to prove them right. Find out what the situation will look like in early 2023 here.

With the introduction of the German Supply Chain Act, large German companies could be held liable if their suppliers damage the environment or ignore human rights. The EU wants to tighten the law at European level.
 

The B2B market is experiencing a period of growth. E-commerce is becoming increasingly important. Buyers can choose from a large number of providers and are becoming more demanding. Read on to find out how companies in the B2B sector can excel in 2023.
 

What's next for the UK and EU from an economic perspective? The forecasts for 2023 are bleak. According to experts, economies will fall into recession. The UK is performing particularly badly.
 

You buy a smartphone that collects hundreds of private data about you and how you live. The last thing you want to worry about is the security of your information. Everyone's desire, whether private individuals or companies, is that their devices work as promised and that the safety of their personal information is ensured.
 

U.S. entrepreneur Donald John Trump was the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Modesty has never been one of the virtues of the New Yorker born in 1946. Trump likes to flirt with his alleged good 10 billion dollar fortune. But what exactly does "The Donald" do to earn his money? And what picture of his financial situation emerges from his reluctantly disclosed tax returns?
 

Today, companies are confronted with rapidly changing conditions. Agile project management is well suited to respond with flexibility to new situations and challenges in a volatile environment. You can find out more about the principle behind it and why it is important right now.
 

The purchasing and logistics industry has grown used to being in a state of emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and inflation have all been key topics in 2022. But the upheaval of the past few years has also given way to a reassuring realisation: companies have learnt that they can cope in times of crisis. This is clearly apparent in the 2022 review.