Executive Summary

November 9, 2018

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” discusses the trend of Amazon expanding its warehouse capacity vertically rather than horizontally.
• Walmart announced plans to expand its technology center in Austin to help associates make better use of digital data and improve operations. Engineers from Walmart and Microsoft will work together at the center as Walmart seeks more convenient ways for customers to shop.
• Retail sales in the UK grew by 1.3% year over year in October. Comparable sales grew by a negligible 0.1% year over year as consumer spending continued to be cautious into the last quarter of the year.
• E-commerce behemoth Alibaba has launched China’s biggest robotic warehouse through its logistics affiliate, Cainiao Network, in anticipation of the expected rush from the Singles’ Day shopping event on November 11.