Actually, the warehouses are using more automation and robotics to keep labor power to a minimum. For these major distribution points automation becomes not only cost effective, but profitable. At the retail level the only thing that seems to be cost effective in automation technology is the sliding doors that open to let customers in. Seriously, I have not looked into how many lost jobs in the retail sector result in the number of jobs gained in larger, centralized distribution points, but I am certain it is not a one-to-one ratio. There are other factors involved as well, other than mere leveraging of technology to trim headcount. There are volume discounts and bonus incentives, scales of efficiency in overhead costs per revenue or profit dollar passed, etc. Such is the way of all things in capitalism - the only thing that is "fair" is the right to improve profit at whatever cost, legal, technically moral or otherwise. Even then it always comes down to who has the financial backing to make significant changes in distribution and sales infrastructures. Oh, and who has the balls to do so. These moves are not without risk.
Gil > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Mike Wohlrab > Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:50 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [NF] CompUSA to close (was Re: [NF] -Digital Photo Frame) > > > How are you losing jobs by buying online. You would be creating > more jobs in > the distribution/ shipping center! > > Mike Wohlrab > > On Dec 19, 2007 9:30 AM, Stephen Russell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > On Dec 19, 2007 8:19 AM, Alan Bourke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > > You get much better service > > > And you pay a premium for it which is due to economies of scale. > > > > > > I bought a 4BG Sony memory card last year from Hong Kong, delivered to > > > my door in Ireland, for about half what it would cost in my local Sony > > > shop. That's a no brainer. > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > > > > I get a cheapskates rss feed daily that points out a great buy > that can be > > made. Unfortunately I have to think "why" do I need that cool > toy. Today > > is a tiny laser printer Brother HL-2040 for 64.99 free > shipping. I don't > > need one, and the cartridges are a bit expensive. But I was > real close to > > owning one this morning. :) > > > > -- > > Stephen Russell > > Sr. Production Systems Programmer > > Mimeo.com > > Memphis TN > > > > 901.246-0159 > > > > > > --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts --- > > multipart/alternative > > text/plain (text body -- kept) > > text/html > > --- > > [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
