The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) opened day two of RILA Logistics 2010 with Scott Davis, chairman and chief executive officer of UPS, sharing his perspective on the current state of the economy and the global supply chain for retail products.
During the interactive session, Davis provided his inside view of the rising importance to retailers of globalization and inventory management, concluding that retailers that are stronger, leaner and more focused are poised for growth.
“The unpredictable economic climate has posed many challenges for retailers,” said RILA President Sandy Kennedy. “Scott Davis gave an insightful look into the current state of the economy and a great outlook on where companies can go from here to develop a winning strategy as we turn toward recovery.”
Davis leads UPS, the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services. UPS is responsible for moving 6 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and 2 percent of global GDP. Its global transportation network serves as a critical link between suppliers and retailers. Since it was founded in 1907, UPS has served its customers through a depression and 20 recessions while also transforming its business to meet the needs of global customers.
Davis has served as the chairman of the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, chief financial officer of UPS, and is a respected counselor to business and policy leaders about economic and trade issues.
Attendees also heard from John Emling, RILA’s senior vice president of government affairs, on the key legislative issues affecting the industry such as interchange fees, health care, the highway authorization bill, national freight policy and the Employee Free Choice Act.
Additional noteworthy presentations included: Emerging & Alternative Ports; Maximizing the Success of Your Online Retailing Operation: Customer Experience, Innovation and KPI’s; and Racing to the Future: Making America More Competitive.
The day closed out with an inspiring talk from Christopher Gardner who rose from homelessness to become owner and CEO of Gardner Rich LLC and author of the autobiography, The Pursuit of Happyness, a New York Times and Washington Post #1 bestseller. Gardner offered direction to attendees on the best way to meet challenges head on, break cycles and create a brighter future.
Logistics 2010 held at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, also saw record breaking attendance and marks the conferences’ 25th anniversary.
RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
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Liz Jennings Manager, Communications Phone: 703-600-2063 Email: brian.dodge@rila.org