Lots of others produce higher-grade stuff, such as electronics goods or branded sportswear for Western companies.

ECONOMIST: Chinese business

Retailers also need to be ruthless in chucking out products that do not gain from being sold in a physical store: not just things like CDs and DVDs, which can be replaced by digital goods, but bulky stuff like nappies (Amazon has become a big seller of Pampers).

ECONOMIST: Retailers and the internet

He understands supply chain logistics, costs of goods sold and all the stuff that most CEOs need to know.

FORBES: Apple Declines To 'Just Fine'

It's no exaggeration to say that she lives and breathes this stuff, marshaling the efforts of journalists who gather the goods on the planet's plutocrats.

FORBES: Coming: The Trillionaire Issue

It specifically includes Internet purchases on those days, even if the goods purchased are delivered later. (Stuff that remains taxable: cars, boats, meals out, and cigarettes).

FORBES: Massachusetts State No. 17 With 2011 Sales Tax Holiday

If big, branded goods companies do less manufacturing, somebody has to grind the stuff out.

FORBES: Perspectives

Are America's producers of goods and services equipped and motivated to produce more or less stuff in the coming year?

FORBES: Magazine Article

When the goods land in, say, Los Angeles, Expeditors deals with customs again and has the stuff sent to its customers' stores, factories or warehouses.

FORBES: I'll Handle That