The number of chances Walmart will now give suppliers if they violate certain of its policies, specifically around sub-contracting to non-approved factories, according to a letter sent to its suppliers this week. The new "zero tolerance" policy, changed from the previous "three strikes and you're out" approach, comes after Walmart was indirectly connected to a deadly fire at an apparel factory in Bangladesh that killed 112 workers. A de-certified facility was given Walmart production work as a sub-contractor to the main supplier. Other changes were also announced, such as that new factories even of existing suppliers must be "pre-certified," and that suppliers must have direct employees monitoring their factories or those of contractors, rather than using agents.

Rise in Q4 operating profits year over year for rail carrier Union Pacific, to an all-time record, as the company reported outstanding financial results in a tepid overall economic environment and flat or shrinking freight climate. Car load volumes were actually down about 2% in the quarter, as the company cited "core pricing gains and fuel surcharge recoveries" as key to financial results, plus operating efficiencies. The rail carriers simply continue to roll on from a bottom line perspective.