Cool It!

It’s that time of year again when football fans huddle in front of the television, frequent the nearest bar or attend the latest gathering to tune into one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year. Super Bowl 53 is upon us and according to the International Council of Shopping Centers, over 190 million Americans are planning to watch the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots battle for the Lombardi Trophy.

In early October 2018, a landmark report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its findings outlining the impacts of global warming and the potentially devastating effects on livestock and water resources. The IPCC has urged we limit global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, warning against escalated temperatures of even half a degree, which would significantly worsen the risks of extreme heat, drought, and floods.

Retailers and manufacturers are facing re-alignment strategy initiatives as their supply chains adjust to the ongoing evolution and disruption of major market disruptors such as Amazon and shifting consumer shopping habits. To meet the market’s demands, companies are continuously revisiting their network strategies to ensure their existing operation is up-to-par and if not, determine what investments in processes, equipment and infrastructure are needed.

As customers continue to set increased expectations around transparency and energy-conserving efforts, incorporating corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming a market differentiator.

US import tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum affect countries such as Canada, Mexico, members of the European Union, and China who are major trading partners. In response, some of these countries have imposed retaliatory tariffs on US exports.

Let’s face it, millennials are an elusive bunch with mass appeal. Roughly 80 million strong, this digitally-savvy, culturally-diverse group is poised to transform nearly every facet of the U.S. economy. Spending nearly $600 billion a year in the U.S. alone, Gen Y continues to alter how businesses operate, affecting the ways we buy and sell. And today, it’s the frozen food industry that’s reaping the benefits of the millennial dollar.

The supply chain and logistics industry remains an overwhelming male dominated sector. According to Gartner survey analysis, though women account for 50 to 55 percent of the U.S. workforce, only 35 percent of supply chain employees are female.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food each year. From farm to table, food contamination can happen at any point during the process and understanding the role temperature plays in keeping food safe is critically important.

Very soon, the noshing will commence as Americans tune-in to one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year – the Super Bowl. As fans, true and fair weather alike gather to watch the New England Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles, the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics reports that in 2018, consumer spending for the Super Bowl is predicted to be up 8.5 % year over year.

As 2017 comes to a close, the dynamic nature of the food and beverage industry continues to shape organizations. According to Statista, 2017 revenue in the food and beverages industry including fresh and packaged foods, fruits, vegetables, pasta, snacks, sweets, refrigerated and frozen food; soft drinks and alcoholic drinks in the U.S. is approximately $13,855 million, a number that's expected to reach $25,889 million by 2022.