Because energy costs affect the manufacture and delivery of so many other goods and services, inflation in the energy sector is especially prone to spreading to other parts of the economy.

FORBES: Inflation jump threatens fragile economy

The second most-complained about ad ever is for shopping channel Auction World , which attracted 1, 360 complaints focusing on poor customer service, misleading guide prices and delays in delivery of goods.

BBC: Are these the most offensive ads of all time?

Most customers prefer to pay in cash on delivery, and about a quarter of goods are rejected at the door.

ECONOMIST: Selling clothes online in Russia

For social enterprises to scale their delivery of essential goods and services to the poor, they need access to working capital, and they need fair wages.

FORBES: There's More To Fighting Poverty Than Writing Big Checks And Claiming Tax Deductions

For all retailers, efficiency is critical and speed of delivery is nearly as important as the cost of the goods sold.

FORBES: Shining Through On The Shelves

Key reasons for returning to the U.S. include rising wages offshore, better quality of goods produced in the U.S., easier access to repairs and lower delivery costs, he said.

FORBES: Pumping Muscle into U.S. Manufacturing

The Internet does not, and never did, hold out the hope of a nirvana in which such things as cash flow, delivery of goods or sales service would become trivia.

ECONOMIST: From dot.com to dot.bomb

For example, market leaders, such as Dell, can ask suppliers to provide goods at delivery times measured in days and under conditions that ensure the suppliers must accept the return of unused products.

ECONOMIST: Pakistan's problems