Editor's Blogs

The World Bank has released its Logistics Performance Index and Indicators 2010 (LPI), a ranking of 155 countries by their capacity to move goods and connect manufacturing and consumers in international markets. Germany tops the ranking this year. Of the top ten countries, eight are wealthy northern European economies, and two – Singapore and Japan – are wealthy Asian economies. Singapore is ranked second and Japan is ranked seventh.

Read more: Trade logistics matters, and Asia knows it

Supply Chain Asia Magazine is collaborating with Vantage Partners, a US-based supply chain consultancy and spin-off of the Harvard Negotiation Project, in a global survey on Supplier Relationship Management (SRM). The purpose of the survey is to examine and increase awareness about how leading companies are leveraging or adjusting their SRM programmes to address current market challenges and position themselves for future success. The survey will provide data that respondents can use to advance SRM efforts within their own organisations. Participation in the survey will provide insight into how your organisation compares to peers and companies in other industries, as well as other regions.

The survey is intended to be completed by sourcing and procurement executives, supplier relationship managers, or those in equivalent roles who are responsible for the management of relationships with key suppliers. The survey will take approximately ten minutes to complete. You will receive a complimentary report with findings upon completion of our study. Analysis of findings will be presented in the May/June issue of Supply Chain Asia Magazine.

Your individual answers will remain confidential; nothing in any analysis or reports published or otherwise made public by Vantage Partners or Supply Chain Magazine will be attributed directly to you or your company. Answers will only be reported in aggregate across survey responses. All information you provide will be held in the strictest of confidence and will not be subject to third party distribution.

Luxury goods are among the most visible indicators of societies with rapidly growing levels of disposable income. China is no exception and a stroll through the high streets of even second or third tier Chinese cities proves this very quickly. Big name foreign luxury brands like Gucci and Burberry now have literally dozens of outlets across the country, from Beijing and Shanghai to Wuxi, Kunming and Chengdu.

The luxury goods market in China barely noticed the global financial crisis and recession. Figures from the World Luxury Association (WLA) show Chinese consumers spent US$9.4bn on luxury goods in 2009, nudging out Japan to make it the world’s second largest luxury goods market after the US.

Read more: Stamps of status by the truckload

It is many months since the passing of a new postal law in China upheld a China Post monopoly that hobbles the business development of foreign express operators in the domestic market. Little progress has been made in the interim, but not for want of trying.

A question to FedEx Asia Pacific president David Cunningham during a visit to Shanghai this week elicited a characteristically diplomatic response with signs of frustration at slow progress but intention of continuing tenacity to make headway.

Read more: Little progress for foreign express in domestic China