May 16 2024
Charts: Venture Capital Trends Q1 2024

Global venture funding in the first quarter of 2024 reached $66 billion, a 6% increase from the previous quarter but a 20% decrease from the same period last year. That’s according to data by Crunchbase.

—

In Q1 2024, the enterprise software category received the highest VC funding among industry sectors per Dealroom, a Netherlands-based data platform for startup intelligence. The energy category is approaching the top three for venture capital raised.

—

“Frontier” technologies combine scientific breakthroughs with real-world needs. During Q1 2024, generative AI, semiconductors, and drug discovery emerged as the top-funded segments in frontier technology.

—

In Q1 2024, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom continue to lead in venture capital investments.

Ecommerce MGMT 0 Comments
May 9 2024
Charts: U.S. Wholesale Trends Q1 2024

The U.S. Census Bureau gathers monthly data on sales and inventories from domestic wholesale firms. The “Monthly Wholesale Trade” survey includes B2B merchants, distributors, exporters, and importers but excludes manufacturers, refiners, and miners selling their own products.

According to the Census Bureau, the survey “offers business leaders and policymakers a current assessment of the nation’s economic status and plays a vital role in estimating the quarterly gross domestic product.”

U.S. wholesale revenue in February 2024 (PDF) stood at $673.7 billion, up from $658.4 billion from the previous month and $669.3 billion in February 2023, an increase of 2.3% and 0.6%, respectively.

Wholesale inventories are the stock of unsold goods. Inventories are a key component of gross domestic product changes. A high inventory count points to an economic slowdown, while a low number indicates stronger growth.

U.S. wholesale inventories for February 2024 were $901.1 billion, slightly higher than $896.5 billion in January and down from $918.8 billion one year ago.

–

According to the data, U.S. wholesale inventories dropped by 0.4% month over month in March 2024.

–

Furthermore, as of March 2024, about 6.2 million people worked in the wholesale trade industry in the United States.

Ecommerce MGMT 0 Comments
May 2 2024
Charts: Investment Trends in Operations Q1 2024

Most U.S. operations and supply chain officers say technology investments haven’t delivered the expected results. That’s according to PwC’s 2024 “Digital Trends in Operations Survey.”

PwC, the accounting and consulting firm, surveyed 600 operations and supply chain executives in the U.S. in January and February 2024 across consumer markets, energy, utilities, mining, health services, pharmaceuticals, industrial products, and technology and telecommunications. The survey revealed a notable difference between the executives’ expectations of new technology and the actual outcomes.

–

Most survey respondents say their companies are somewhat involved in generative AI.

–

Growth and cost reduction remain top priorities for respondents seeking digital operations solutions. Yet many cite a lack of investment objectives, which could have long-term impacts.

–

Regulatory priorities such as cybersecurity and data privacy drive many decisions when investing in operations and supply chain technology.

Ecommerce MGMT 0 Comments
Apr 18 2024
Charts: Global Executives’ Plans, Projections Q1 2024

According to McKinsey & Company’s March 2024 survey, global executives are less optimistic about demand for their companies’ goods or services than in 2023.

–

However, respondents maintain a generally positive outlook regarding their companies’ profitability.

–

Most surveyed executives anticipate that the size of their companies’ workforces will remain unchanged over the next six months.

–

The McKinsey March 2024 survey also queried respondents on their economic outlook for the coming year.

Ecommerce MGMT 0 Comments
Apr 11 2024
Charts: U.S. Manufacturing Trends Q1 2024

The Institute for Supply Management is a leading not-for-profit global procurement organization. Founded in 1915, ISM’s 50,000 members from 100 countries manage about $1 trillion annually in corporate and government supply chain procurement.

The monthly “ISM Report On Manufacturing” is among the most reliable economic indicators for supply management professionals, economists, analysts, and government and business leaders.

The report includes the closely watched purchasing managers index — “Manufacturing PMI” — based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives. Participants report activity in multiple categories, such as new orders, inventories, and production. Those indices are then combined to create the PMI. A PMI above 50 designates an overall expansion of the manufacturing economy, whereas below 50 is a contraction.

In March 2024, U.S. manufacturing activity expanded for the first time in 16 months, with ISM’s Manufacturing PMI at 50.30, up from 47.80 in February and 46.30 one year ago.

–

ISM’s data also shows new U.S. manufacturing orders in February 2024 were $576.76 billion, up from $568.57 billion in January and $571.26 billion year over year — an increase of 1.44% and 0.96%, respectively.

–

ISM’s March 2024 U.S. Employment Index for the manufacturing sector is 47.40, indicating a slower decline from 45.90 in February and 46.90 one year ago.

Ecommerce MGMT 0 Comments
Mar 29 2024
Charts: Retail Sporting Goods Trends Q1 2024

The global sporting goods industry will grow at a compound rate of 7% through 2027. That’s according to “Time to move: Sporting goods 2024,” a January 2024 report by McKinsey & Company.

The report foresees optimism by sporting goods industry leaders in 2024, coming off an uneven, inflationary 2023. McKinsey suggests caution, however, owing to shifting consumer preferences and sustainability concerns.

–

–

The study addresses shifting consumer preferences from traditional organized sports to individual varieties such as pickleball (159% growth from 2019 to 2022) and off-course golf (57% growth during the same period).

–

Challenges to the global supply chain continue. The McKinsey study included the results of its 2023 survey of worldwide supply chain leaders. Most are implementing renewed planning and resilience measures to counter supply uncertainties.

Ecommerce MGMT 0 Comments