Latest news with #Fulfillment
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
‘Fulfillment' is a splendid novel by a rising literary star
Don't look now, but a colossal literary career is sneaking in under the radar. Three years ago, Lee Cole's splendid debut, 'Groundskeeping,' explored the impact of the 2016 presidential election on a divided Kentucky family. He is back with 'Fulfillment,' a companion piece and a colder, wiser novel for Trump 2.0, lit by an eerie glow. We have been here before and yet haven't learned anything, a country playing Russian roulette, a loaded pistol pressed against the chin.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Down 20% This Year, Here Are 3 Reasons Why I'm Still Loading Up on Amazon Stock
The stock market has been on a wild ride since President Trump announced his new tariff plan on April 2. The tariffs, which will affect over 180 countries, sent all major indexes plunging, and virtually all big-name tech stocks followed the same path. One of the hardest-hit tech stocks was Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), down over 10% since the tariff announcement and over 20% since the start of the year. This sell-off can be pinned to the new 34% tax on Chinese imports. Amazon operates its e-commerce platform, but if you have ever bought from it, you may have noticed that many products come from third-party sellers, not Amazon directly. Investors fear a domino effect. Sellers face high costs, which they pass on to customers, which could discourage customer spending. And although these are real concerns for Amazon's business, I'm loading up on the stock as its share price falls. Here are three reasons why. E-commerce made Amazon a household name, but the bulk of its profits now come from its cloud platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS has been such a financial success that it could be a stand-alone business and still be one of the more successful tech companies. In 2024, AWS's operating income was $39.8 billion, which was 58% of Amazon's total operating income and more than Oracle and Cisco Systems' last full-year operating income combined. AWS isn't 100% exempt from the new tariff plan, but it will avoid the bulk of it because it provides a digital service and doesn't deal much with physical products. Where it could see slight cost increases are the imported parts needed to run its data centers, which are important for AWS's operations. Items such as servers, chips, networking equipment, and storage devices are needed to build new data centers and replace older equipment, so Amazon could see a higher price tag whenever that time comes. However, these potential cost increases should be a drop in the bucket compared to what AWS makes. I don't expect it to start a domino effect where AWS customers see their prices increase by a lot and jump ship to another platform (that will have the same issues). AWS is still the world's largest cloud service provider by a large margin and will be that way for the foreseeable future. There's a good chance we will see many businesses begin to stockpile products in the U.S. before the true costs of the new tariffs kick in. If so, I can see many of them relying on Amazon's infrastructure and logistics network to store and distribute their inventory efficiently. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Supply Chain by Amazon (SBA) are two logistics services businesses could use to navigate this time. FBA could see an increase in businesses wanting to use Amazon's fulfillment centers for its storage and distribution capabilities, and SBA could see an increase in businesses wanting end-to-end supply chain support that takes a lot of weight off their shoulders. An underrated part of Amazon's business has been its willingness to take advantage of its logistics network and expertise to capitalize on the growing e-commerce industry, even if it doesn't involve businesses selling directly on its platform. This could be another catalyst for that and open up more revenue streams. This isn't Amazon's first rodeo when it comes to major stock price drops. Granted, the others weren't caused by global tariff hikes and trade disruptions. Even so, it has faced some rough patches. From Dec. 1999 to Sept. 2001, its stock price dropped 94%; from Dec. 2007 to Nov. 2008, it dropped 60%; and in 2022, it dropped by close to 50%. Even then, Amazon's stock has been one of the stock market's greatest success stories. Over the past 20 years, it's up just under 10,000%, and in just the past decade, it has averaged over 25% annual average returns. By no means would I expect Amazon's stock to keep growing at these historical paces, but the business has proven time and time again that it's built to weather virtually any storm that comes its way, and I don't see this as any different. When the dust settles, and you look back years from now, you'll likely be glad you bought the stock when you did. Before you buy stock in Amazon, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Amazon wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $509,884!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $700,739!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 820% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 158% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 5, 2025 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Stefon Walters has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Cisco Systems, and Oracle. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Down 20% This Year, Here Are 3 Reasons Why I'm Still Loading Up on Amazon Stock was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The ‘Free World' Is Gone and There's No Turning Back
In early 2017, less than two months into Donald Trump's first term as president, I published a piece of speculative fiction. Set during a then-imaginary second Trump term, it depicts a nightmare scenario in which American troops abandon Europe, the pro-Russia Alternative for Germany wins 20 percent of the vote in a federal election, and Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. My purpose in writing the story was to stir readers on both sides of the Atlantic out of their complacency regarding the parlous state of what used to be called the 'Free World.' But it still didn't prepare me for the series of events that began with Vice President JD Vance's speechat the Munich Security Conference and ended with the humiliation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by Trump and Vance before TV cameras in the Oval Office. While many may view that two-week period as indistinguishable from the rest of the Trump era, future historians won't: They'll record it as marking an epochal shift in global politics potentially even more significant than the collapse of the Berlin Wall or the terrorist attacks of 9/11. It marked the end of an era — the era of the American-led liberal international order. That era began after the Second World War when an isolationist country reluctantly assumed the mantle of world leadership, an enormous, multifarious endeavor resulting in historically unprecedented economic growth, scientific discovery, human flourishing and peace. America's material resources were essential to this decades-long, globe-spanning effort, but more important was the conviction, shared not only by hundreds of millions of Americans but countless people around the world, underlying it: that the United States was an exceptional nation uniquely positioned to be a force for good in the world. Across those eight decades, an ethic of idealism undergirded American foreign policy, one traceable to the country's founding. Whether Republican or Democrat, American presidents regularly invoked the providential role that the United States, as the world's oldest democracy, was destined to play on the global stage. President Thomas Jefferson referred to the young nation he helped found as 'the world's best hope' while his archrival John Adams sent arms to the leaders of a slave rebellion that liberated Haiti. Over 150 years later, Dwight Eisenhower declared that 'We could be the wealthiest and the most mighty nation and still lose the battle of the world if we do not help our world neighbors protect their freedom and advance their social and economic progress.' His successor John F. Kennedy famously declared that America would 'pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty.' And in his farewell address Ronald Reagan spoke of America as a 'shining city upon a hill,' a phrase that his ideological polar opposite Barack Obama invoked during the 2016 election. Fulfillment of these lofty ambitions obliged America to support democracies and oppose dictatorships. As a global superpower with responsibilities no other nation was either able — or willing — to undertake, it could not afford to have the impeccably moral foreign policy of Sweden. Idealism inevitably clashed with realism, with the latter often triumphing over the former. This was especially true during the Cold War, when Washington helped engineer the overthrow of democratically elected leaders and supported authoritarian regimes. And it continues today with American backing of repressive governments in the Middle East. But even while employing immoral means, American leaders did so in the pursuit of what they considered moral ends, whether fighting communism, halting the spread of weapons of mass destruction, or resisting radical of the American-led liberal international order harp endlessly upon its faults while taking its virtues — free and open sea lanes, the spread of liberal democracy, values-based alliances, the protection of human rights — for granted. Eager to lambaste the order for its many faults, they prefer not to grapple with the international system rapidly taking its place, a dog-eats-dog world where America has abdicated its role as global policeman and authoritarian states gain spheres of influence in which less powerful countries must bend to their will. Even the most vociferous critics of American global power may come to miss it once Russia, China and Iran gain dominance over Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The centuries-long record of at least rhetorical support for right over wrong is what made last month's Oval Office meeting so unsettling. In a display that ought to shame every American, the country's top two constitutional officers acted like a king and his regent, demanding obeisance from a feudal supplicant. Within days, Trump suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, and while both were later restored, the message he sent was unmistakable: Not even an ally under military attack can depend upon Washington for support. Having abandoned Ukraine out of personal pique, Trump then returned to taking on the world's other villains: Canada, Denmark and Panama. In addition to abandoning our democratic allies abroad, Trump is gutting America's democracy-promotion apparatus at home. During the Cold War, Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (the latter my former employer) broadcasted news and information beyond the Iron Curtain and continue this mission in regions of the world that remain unfree. (Many nations once subject to Soviet domination — including Poland, Czechia, and the Baltic states — can credit VOA and RFE/RL, at least in part, for their freedom). The United States Agency for International Development was founded during the administration of Kennedy to alleviate the social and economic conditions in which authoritarianism and terrorism thrive. And the National Endowment for Democracy, created under Reagan, provides grants to democratic activists around the globe. Trump has halted funding for all of these organizations, which represent the best of American values, to cheers from Moscow, Beijing and Tehran. In place of the idealism that animated American leadership of the Free World, Trump has unleashed the atavistic cynicism of the Old World. In this new dispensation where might makes right, any appeal to moral considerations in the practice of American foreign policy is ridiculed as a deficiency of the weak while the amoral exercise of power is venerated as a virtue of the strong. Instinctive American sympathy for the underdog is supplanted by admiration for the strongman. An embattled democracy is accused of provoking the invasion of its own territory — the geopolitical equivalent of blaming a rape victim for her own assault — and for the first time in history America votes with the world's rogues against its traditional democratic allies at the United Nations. The occupant of the office once synonymous with 'leader of the Free World' slanders the president of a country fighting for its very existence as a 'dictator' while lauding a despotic war criminal as 'a great guy' and a 'terrific person.' At least when Franklin Roosevelt (allegedly) said that Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza 'may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch,' he had the moral clarity to identify the caudillo for what he was, and the tact to do so behind closed doors. While Trump borrows from the Andrew Jackson school of American foreign policy, notable for its strident nationalism and distrust of international institutions, the historical figure whose ideas (and slogans) he leans most heavily on is Pat Buchanan. Once a marginal figure on the American right, the former Nixon speechwriter and Republican presidential candidate stood for the same 'America First' trifecta — anti-immigration, anti-intervention and protectionism — as Trump does today. In the brave new world of America First, no longer does America stand for the belief that democracies make better allies than dictatorships, that territorial aggression should be punished rather than rewarded, and that alliances are an asset, not a burden. In his Munich speech, Vance endorsed the inclusion of far-right parties in European governments, which he accused of posing a greater threat to their own people than either Russia or China. All of this is the result of a foreign policy utterly lacking in moral scruples. The abandonment of morality as a factor in foreign affairs also marks a turning point for the Republican Party. Next month marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. American conservatives once pointed to that event — the chaotic scenes of desperate Vietnamese fleeing the approaching communist onslaught, the 2 million boat people who managed to escape, the horrific repression that followed for those who did not — as a shameful example of what happens when the U.S. abandons an ally. Whatever the merits of American involvement in that conflict, the dire consequences of the American withdrawal reverberated across the region. Within months, Laos and Cambodia fell to communist insurgencies, vindicating the much derided 'domino theory.' Trump's abandonment of Ukraine has the potential to dwarf these events in geopolitical magnitude and human suffering. If Ukraine is made to sign a peace deal that doesn't provide clear-cut security guarantees it will only be a matter of time before Russian President Vladimir Putin attempts another Anschluss. Absent American leadership of the Free World, such an incursion could succeed in toppling the Kyiv government, leading to tens of millions of refugees and a massive Russian military presence on the border of several NATO member states. With the alliance's guarantee of collective security in tatters thanks to Trump's extortionist threats not to uphold it, NATO — the most successful military alliance in history — will for all intents and purposes be dead, opening the door for further Russian predation in Europe and elsewhere. Looking for silver linings, some nostalgic for the recently departed era of American global leadership cling to the hope that everything will return to normal once a Democrat or traditional Republican moves into the Oval Office. While the fight over the future of conservative foreign policy is ongoing, there is no turning back. No longer confident of their place under the American security umbrella,alarmed allies like Poland and South Korea are exploring the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons. The once-ridiculed French idea of 'strategic autonomy' — a pole of European military power independent of the United States — is now the top agenda item across the continent. The 'Five Eyes' intelligence-sharing alliance composed of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand may shrink to 'Four Eyes' due to the unreliability of its most powerful member. What transpired during the last two weeks of February cannot be undone in the minds of America's allies or its adversaries. And in a world where every man is for himself, what's the difference between the two?The story I wrote eight years ago ends on Victory Day with Putin proudly reviewing a massive military parade in Red Square. While Trump has denied that he will join the festivities this year, if he can force a deal on Ukraine, he may not be able to resist the temptation to exult in his undeserved role as global peacemaker. Standing alongside Putin in Moscow, tacitly conferring American recognition upon the first armed annexation of territory on the European continent since World War II, such a scene would mark the dawn of a new era, one in which it is increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction.
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Micro Fulfillment Centers (MFCs) Strategic Industry Report 2025: Global Market to Grow by Over $25 Billion During 2024-2030, Driven by Omni-Channel Retailing, Inventory Optimization and e-Commerce
The 'Micro Fulfillment Centers (MFCs) - Global Strategic Business Report' report has been added to offering. The global market for Micro Fulfillment Centers (MFCs) was valued at US$6.2 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$31.6 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 31.1% from 2024 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. Micro fulfillment centers (MFCs) are equipped with advanced automation technologies, such as robotic picking systems and conveyor belts, which allow for the quick assembly and dispatch of orders. By being closer to the end customer, MFCs reduce the time and cost associated with last-mile delivery, making them a key component in the evolving landscape of e-commerce logistics. What's Driving the Growth of the Micro Fulfillment Centers Market? The growth in the micro fulfillment centers market is driven by several factors. The explosive growth of e-commerce is a primary driver, as more consumers opt for online shopping and demand faster delivery times. Retailers are increasingly adopting MFCs as a way to enhance their last-mile delivery capabilities and reduce transportation costs. The push for urbanization and the need for space-efficient logistics solutions in densely populated areas are also contributing to the rise of MFCs. Moreover, advancements in automation and robotics are making MFCs more viable and cost-effective, encouraging more retailers to invest in these centers to stay competitive in the fast-paced e-commerce landscape. Why Are Micro Fulfillment Centers Gaining Popularity? The popularity of micro fulfillment centers is driven by the surge in e-commerce, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a dramatic shift in consumer purchasing behavior towards online shopping. Consumers now expect faster delivery times, and MFCs offer a solution by enabling retailers to fulfill orders more quickly and efficiently. Additionally, MFCs help retailers manage inventory more effectively by allowing for quicker replenishment of stock and reducing the need for large, centralized warehouses. The ability to meet customer demands for speed and convenience while reducing operational costs makes MFCs an attractive option for retailers looking to enhance their competitive edge. How Does Technology Power Micro Fulfillment Centers? Technology is at the heart of micro fulfillment centers, enabling their rapid and efficient operations. Automation plays a significant role, with robotic systems handling much of the picking, packing, and sorting of orders, which reduces labor costs and increases accuracy. Advanced inventory management systems ensure that stock levels are optimized and that the right products are available when needed. Furthermore, the use of AI and machine learning allows MFCs to predict demand patterns, optimize space utilization, and streamline operations to ensure that orders are processed as quickly as possible. These technological innovations are crucial in allowing MFCs to meet the demands of the modern consumer. Key Insights: Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Store-Integrated / In-Store MFCs segment, which is expected to reach US$17 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 33.6%. The Standalone MFCs segment is also set to grow at 27.1% CAGR over the analysis period. Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, valued at $1.7 Billion in 2024, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 41.6% CAGR to reach $9.1 Billion by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific. Report Features: Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2024 to 2030. In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Company Profiles: Coverage of major players such as Addverb Technologies, Dematic Corp., Exotec SAS, Geekplus Technology Co., Ltd., Get Fabric, Inc. and more. Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments. Key Market Segments Type (Store-Integrated / In-Store MFCs, Standalone MFCs, Dark Store MFCs) Component (Hardware, Software, Services) End-Use (eCommerce End-Use, Traditional Retailers & Distributors End-Use, Manufacturers End-Use) Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 375 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $6.2 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $31.6 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 31.1% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: MARKET OVERVIEW Influencer Market Insights Micro Fulfillment Centers (MFCs) - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2025 (E) Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2025 (E) MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Rising E-commerce Demand Propels Growth in Micro Fulfillment Centers (MFCs) Increasing Consumer Preference for Same-Day Delivery Expands Addressable Market Opportunity for MFCs Urbanization Trends Drive Adoption of MFCs in High-Density Areas Technological Innovations in Automation Strengthen Business Case for MFCs Growing Need for Inventory Optimization Generates Demand for MFCs Sustainability Trends Spur Growth in Energy-Efficient Micro Fulfillment Centers Competitive Retail Landscape Throws the Spotlight on MFCs as a Strategic Advantage Omni-Channel Retailing Accelerates Demand for Integrated Micro Fulfillment Solutions Real Estate Constraints in Urban Areas Drive Adoption of Space-Efficient MFCs Rising Labor Costs Sustain Growth in Automated and Robotized Micro Fulfillment Centers FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS: Some of the 42 major companies featured in this Micro Fulfillment Centers (MFCs) market report include: Addverb Technologies Dematic Corp. Exotec SAS Geekplus Technology Co., Ltd. Get Fabric, Inc. Honeywell Industrial Automation Honeywell International, Inc. Knapp AG Mecalux SA Opex Corporation For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 KEYWORD: SOURCE: Research and Markets Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/17/2025 11:00 AM/DISC: 03/17/2025 11:00 AM
