Editor Allan Leibowitz comments on the news of the week

Nearly 180 million Americans shopped during the five-day holiday shopping period from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday, according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that news from North America is a bit thin this week. Our regular sources were either too busy shopping last week, or - more likely - facilitating the supply chain to allow others to shop. Black Friday/Cyber Monday were, as usual, indicators of the crucial role of materials handling in retail, wholesale and distribution, with record throughput at many DCs and warehouses. Hopefully, things will be back to normal next week, when American coverage will be back on track.