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Summary of Key Business Provisions in the “Coronabus” Package

On Dec. 21, 2020, Congress passed the $2.3 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, H.R. 133 (a/k/a “Coronabus”), a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill merged with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill for FY21. The 5,593-page legislative package was signed by the President on Dec. 27 and following is a summary of key provisions for IHA members: COVID Relief…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – December

December 30 – Jill Soltau Leaves Her Role as J.C. Penney CEOJ.C. Penney's new owners, mall REITs Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management, on Wednesday, said they have launched a search for a new chief executive officer to replace Jill Soltau, who is leaving Thursday. From: Retail Dive December 28 – Retail Furloughs Snowball as Kohl's, Gap Extend Store…

Supply Chain Challenges Will Linger in 2021

Carrier consolidation has created a landscape that is vastly different than it was five years ago. The transpacific trade lane has been reduced to 3 mega alliances that are extremely powerful and able to quickly adapt to changes in the market. The power of these alliances was on full display in 2020. One thing is for certain, the carriers’ newfound ability to control capacity…

Global Retail Intelligence – December

December 15 – Alibaba Announces Launch of Reverse Logistics Channel to Offer Return Service to Hong Kong CustomersCainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, announced that 85% of goods purchased on Alibaba’s platforms, including Taobao and Tmall, delivered by Cainiao will be eligible for returns within seven days for their customers in Hong Kong. Plans to launch a direct…

Container Lines Own the Leverage

At the beginning of every contract negotiation period, the shipping industry speculates whether the carriers or the shippers have the leverage to drive the contract negotiations. There is no speculation heading into the 2021 contract process. The carriers have 100% of the power barring a major collapse in the global economy. Shippers that fail to accept the new carrier tactics…

Biden Administration Trade and Counterfeit Policies

Despite legal challenges, former Vice President Joe Biden’s inauguration as the 46th President of the U.S. on Jan. 20, 2021 appears inevitable and he and his team have been announcing their picks for key posts in a Biden Administration. Of particular interest for IHA members will be Biden’s approach to trade and where his policies will differ from the Trump…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – November

November 30 – Dollar Tree’s Remodeled Stores Lead to Third-Quarter GrowthRetailer said its campaign to overhaul Family Dollar stores is starting to pay off, net sales increased by 7.5% for the quarter. From: Store Brands Today November 29 – Buc-ee's Moves Into Two New StatesA groundbreaking in South Carolina and store opening in Georgia mark its latest expansion beyond…

Global Retail Intelligence – November

November 18 – Asda online sales up 72% in Q3 2020Walmart Asda reported earnings for the third quarter of 2020 covering the period from July 1 to September 30, coinciding with the end of the first UK-wide lockdown and reopening of the hospitality sector. Asda’s like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, increased by 2.7% and the strong performance in grocery, back-to-school…

ADA Website Lawsuits Will Continue

When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, the focus of Title III in the law was, and still is, providing accessibility for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations and commercial facilities. Framers saw Title III’s language exclusively in terms of “brick and mortar” and the internet wasn’t contemplated then.…