Earlier this year Walmart announced projected cost savings of 5 – 15% by product category with an expanded direct import program. While retailers, consumer goods companies and most global manufacturers have been importing for years, there is renewed interest in understanding all of the elements of a direct import program and the opportunity areas that can drive new supply chain efficiencies and boost product profitability.

This webinar, presented by Management Dynamics and World Trade Magazine, will take a look at the foundation technologies for a direct import program, explore the implementation options by working with a global logistics provider, and discuss a number of successful case studies.

The webinar will be Tuesday, May 25 at 2pm EST. Please register today by following this link.

Just as I finished the post regarding the new labor lists, I received an email update that Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services will be having two upcoming webinars on the topic.

The Department of Labor has published three new reports containing details on countries where child or forced labor is used to make hundreds of goods that end up in the US.

In a recent research report, Aberdeen Group found that few companies have examined and quantified the financial benefits that their trade compliance group brings to their company or assessed fully where the greatest opportunities are for driving further improvement. Click here to request a copy.

Fantastic reading to understand how your company can generate new savings in areas like:

• Optimizing sourcing decisions with accurate total landed cost
• Reducing brokerage costs by self-filing
• Expand the number of trade agreements managed and reduce duties
• Implement a free trade zone