Blog – Analysis and Commentary for United States – July 2023 Summary: It prompted economists at Goldman Sachs to raise their third-quarter gross domestic product tracking estimate by a whopping seven-tenths of a percentage point to a 2.2% annualized rate. The economy grew at a 2.4% pace in the April-June quarter. Demand is being underpinned by strong wage gains from a tight labor market. Though consumer spending continues to show signs of persistent strength, economists did not expect the Fed to raise rates next month, with inflation retreating. The government last week reported that consumer prices rose moderately in July, with underlying inflation or the so-called core inflation slowing further. "As long as core inflation continues to fall rapidly, resilient growth won't in itself be enough to prompt further rate hikes from the Fed," said Andrew Hunter, deputy chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics. Source: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2023-08-15/us-retail-sales-increase-more-than-expected-in-july Additional links and sources: eCommerce - https://uk.news.yahoo.com/us-retail-sales-bounce-online-125326956.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANaM7Uc267H_zh20bqv2nuX6jZk7aOufGQLeW1bJYcT3So--u_rywCx2b-5cWrhmZ1dwSpYOLpu_zsBkJL8ITAVKAGtDo3sT8XrXbRN-ECP8_5UncG2BSOC6E7DiifXC3rsHIu1Ua_xaB7P1pg6JLF0eRnlqf3Lw66Obd1EXuLDe AI and Generative AI - https://apparelresources.com/technology-news/retail-tech/retailers-gearing-invest-ai-ml-cv-technologies-upcoming-year-honeywell-reports/ or https://www.thefashionlaw.com/how-retail-companies-are-using-discussing-ai/ Supply chain - https://www.inddist.com/supply-chain/blog/22870307/combat-supply-chain-disruptions-with-supplier-diversification Key Environmental Areas – https://www.linkedin.com/posts/paul-young-055632b_7-environmental-factors-for-esg-reporting-activity-7071476082784276480-EYDt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Scenario Planning - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/paul-young-055632b_6-ways-scenario-planning-is-essential-for-activity-7086384141918752768-P7cE?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop ESG - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/paul-young-055632b_esgreporting-esgreporting-issbstandards-activity-7079823962368606208-NVac?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop GAP - https://www.slideshare.net/paulyoungcga/how-gap-analysis-can-better-support-business-decisions Reporting - https://www.slideshare.net/paulyoungcga/close-consolidate-and-reporting-cyclepptx-256864692 Data - https://www.slideshare.net/paulyoungcga/how-to-solve-data-management-isuses-for-both-the-private-and-public-sectorspptx-257454162 Circular - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lindsayhampson_tipwednesday-netzero-sustainability-activity-7006238715744333824-KU-s?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Biodiversity - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/paul-young-055632b_what-is-biodiversity-and-how-does-it-affect-activity-703811509306

1. Retail and Consumer Sector –
United States – July 2023
2
By: Senior Customer Success Management and Business Strategist – Paul Young CPA CGA
Date: August 16, 2023
© 2021 IBM Corporation

2. Agenda
Overview of Retail Sales
Sales by key segment
Retail / Cargo
Port Capacity
ESG Reporting
Transforming eCommerce Strategy
Shopping Malls/retail Sales

3. USA / Overall Retail Sales

4. USA vs Canada – Retail Sales

5. Source – USA government
USA RETAIL SALES BY KEY SEGMENT Advance Retail Sales
- USA.pdf

6. Source – USA government
USA RETAIL SALES BY KEY SEGMENT

7. Source – USA government
USA RETAIL SALES BY KEY SEGMENT

8. Containers
Last month, a series of COVID-19 outbreaks in Chinese ports caused the worst shipping delays in years, the impacts
of which we will likely still be feeling by the time the holiday season arrives. But port closures are only part of the
story behind the recent shipping delays impacting virtually every sector, from furniture deliveries to food product
shortages.
Shipping containers, especially refrigerated ones, have been extremely hard for manufacturers and distributors to find
and fill with goods over the past few months. A key element of the supply chain, shipping containers transport large
volumes of goods along global shipping routes. Problems first arose in early 2020 when shipping lines canceled some
routes amid growing COVID-19 case numbers worldwide, but shipping container availability worsened as
unpredictable port closures, the Suez Canal blockage, and intensifying labor shortages left containers stranded. As a
result, international freight costs have also grown dramatically, with limited availability, lengthy delays, and lackluster
service causing issues throughout the global supply chain.
https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/record-breaking-box-demand-stranded-containers-lead-to-worst-shipping-delays-in-
years/?ecms_id=7a28bad3-cea7-44d2-b9f6-
4897b99c1042&ecms_short=ART5655&doc_type=ted_video_article&parent_id=949c240b-29da-4827-aa56-
f2d4e5339f53&utm_content=featuredvideo&linktype=image&channel=email&campaign_type=thomas_industry_update&campaig
n_name=tiu210816&utm_campaign=tiu210816&utm_medium=email&utm_source=thomas_industry_update&tinid=221763045
Here are additional links on supply chain –
Here is my work on supply chain - https://ibm.box.com/s/bqy9mr0ktlgi64sbf49o4rg5d9w0rqkn

9. Blog - Supply Chain Leaders Are Optimistic About
Capacity Ahead of ‘Official’ Peak Shipping Season
-Companies have confidence in their e-commerce strategies ahead of the official 2021 peak shipping season that
traditionally runs from September through December, according to a study released on August 31 from GlobalTranz
Enterprices, LLC.
At the same time, the survey of supply chain decision-makers highlights anticipated challenges for the second half of the
year, from new COVID-19 variants threatening another phase of lockdowns to ongoing challenges in recruiting and
retaining employees. https://www.mhlnews.com/transportation-distribution/article/21174207/supply-chain-leaders-
are-optimism-about-capacity-ahead-of-official-peak-shipping-
season?utm_source=IY+IW+Supply+Chain+Insights&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210908101&o_eid=7930I
4506489J2B&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7930I4506489J2B&oly_enc_id=7930I4506489J2B
My work on supply chain - https://ibm.box.com/s/bqy9mr0ktlgi64sbf49o4rg5d9w0rqkn

10. ESG Reporting
Key investment into Radicale to help with supporting ESG reporting as it relates to Global Supply Chain Management
With operations in Canada, the US, and Brazil, this funding will enable Radicle to enter new markets to help organizations
across the globe monetize their environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) efforts. It will also support further
development and updates to Radicle’s proprietary software to ensure alignment with emerging reporting requirements
being demanded by regulators, clients, and their supply chain
https://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/manufacturing/radicle-announces-investment-by-telus-ventures-273066/
This company is interesting due to complexity of emissions and carbon pricing models. https://radiclebalance.com/our-
story/#team
Here is my work on ESG Reporting - https://ibm.box.com/s/vmyitcackqevvm1hcxv7wke6gudrpnce

11. Retail / Cargo
Blog - Retail Cargo Sees Double-Digit Increases Over 2020 Even with Disruptions -
At the nation's largest retail container ports, imports are continuing to show double-digit growth over last, according
to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
This is due to the strong consumer demand which continues to keeps up its momentum.
https://www.mhlnews.com/transportation-distribution/article/21169225/retail-cargo-sees-doubledigit-increases-
over-2020-even-with-
disruptions?utm_source=IY+IW+QM+News&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210709114&o_eid=7930I450
6489J2B&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7930I4506489J2B&oly_enc_id=7930I4506489J2B
Blog – How to build a resilient Supply Chain using Data and AI
https://ibm.box.com/s/bqy9mr0ktlgi64sbf49o4rg5d9w0rqkn

12. Transformation of an eCommerce Strategy
Blog – 5 Ways to Step Up Your E-Commerce Strategy
1. Be a leader.
2. Build the right team and plan for change management.
3. Start small and grow.
4. Sell your story and your unique value proposition.
5. Make it easy for your customers to buy.
Source - https://www.industryweek.com/technology-and-iiot/digital-tools/article/21168566/most-
manufacturers-lag-in-their-ecommerce-strategy-5-ways-to-step-it-
up?utm_source=IY+IW+Daily+Headlines+-
+Morning&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210629049&o_eid=7930I4506489J2B&rdx.ident%5B
pull%5D=omeda%7C7930I4506489J2B&oly_enc_id=7930I4506489J2B
Here is my work:
https://www.slideshare.net/paulyoungcga/retail-sales-usa-may-2021 or https://www.slideshare.net/paulyoungcga/retail-
sales-and-consumer-spending-canada-april-2021 or https://www.slideshare.net/paulyoungcga/retail-sales-for-australia-
april-2021

13. Shopping Malls/Retail Sales
https://globalnews.ca/news/7974283/covid-canada-shopping-malls/
Key focus areas:
- Revamping the store front model
- Adoption of AR and VR
- Adoption of AI
- Mitigation of cybersecurity threats
- Re-visiting the hub and spoke approach to supply chain management
Blog – USA – Retail Sales – May 2021
USA retail sales decline 1.3% for May 2021 as compared to April 2021.
The biggest threats to retailers are supply chain disruption and cybersecurity attacks.
https://www.slideshare.net/paulyoungcga/retail-sales-usa-may-2021

14. Summary
Retail sector continues to face many challenges
Blog – Analysis and Commentary for United States – July 2023
Summary:
It prompted economists at Goldman Sachs to raise their third-quarter gross domestic product
tracking estimate by a whopping seven-tenths of a percentage point to a 2.2% annualized rate.
The economy grew at a 2.4% pace in the April-June quarter.
Demand is being underpinned by strong wage gains from a tight labor market. Though consumer
spending continues to show signs of persistent strength, economists did not expect the Fed to
raise rates next month, with inflation retreating.
The government last week reported that consumer prices rose moderately in July, with
underlying inflation or the so-called core inflation slowing further.
"As long as core inflation continues to fall rapidly, resilient growth won't in itself be enough to
prompt further rate hikes from the Fed," said Andrew Hunter, deputy chief U.S. economist at
Capital Economics.
Source: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2023-08-15/us-retail-sales-increase-more-
than-expected-in-july
Additional links and sources:
eCommerce - https://uk.news.yahoo.com/us-retail-sales-bounce-online-
125326956.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_s
ig=AQAAANaM7Uc267H_zh20bqv2nuX6jZk7aOufGQLeW1bJYcT3So--u_rywCx2b-
5cWrhmZ1dwSpYOLpu_zsBkJL8ITAVKAGtDo3sT8XrXbRN-
ECP8_5UncG2BSOC6E7DiifXC3rsHIu1Ua_xaB7P1pg6JLF0eRnlqf3Lw66Obd1EXuLDe
AI and Generative AI - https://apparelresources.com/technology-news/retail-tech/retailers-gearing-
invest-ai-ml-cv-technologies-upcoming-year-honeywell-reports/ or
https://www.thefashionlaw.com/how-retail-companies-are-using-discussing-ai/
Supply chain - https://www.inddist.com/supply-chain/blog/22870307/combat-supply-chain-disruptions-
with-supplier-diversification