Multi-unit retail operators are often presented with challenges with their product assortment due to varying demographic and store configurations throughout their network of locations. Often, product assortment is standardized across all store types which leaves opportunities for niche marketing on the sidelines. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, multi-unit operators should segment their stores in order to optimize the product assortment.

Sadly, the US Supreme Court decided not to take an appeal of the Ninth District's decision that the Low Carbon Fuel Standard does not interfere with the Interstate Commerce Clause this week. Out-of-state energy producers had sued California's Air Resources Board, alleging that the LCFS facially discriminates against interstate commerce and regulates beyond state borders, in violation of Dormant Commerce Clause principles contained in the U.S. Constitution. A federal district judge agreed, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed in an opinion upholding the constitutionality of the LCFS.

Registration is now open for the Pacific Oil Conference, August 26-28, JW Marriott LA Live, Los Angeles, CA.
Register before August 5th and save big on your registration fees.

On June 25, 2014, the California Senate Judiciary Committee approved A.B. 1522. A.B. 1522, also titled the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014, mandates that employees who work for more than 30 full-time days in a calendar year are entitled to accrue paid sick leave. Under the proposed bill, all employers will have to credit one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked to qualifying employees, or one full workday for 18 weeks of full-time work. New employees will only be able to use paid sick leave after their first 90 days of employment.

With the recent uprising in Iraq, the U.S. is once again exposed to the risk of rising oil and gasoline prices. Oil prices are driven by many factors including supply and demand, seasonality, the value of the U.S. dollar, OPEC policy, investor and trader sentiment, and at the moment, fear of supply disruption. Historically, sharp increases in oil and gasoline prices have posed significant headwinds for our economy, but only if they last for several months. Since January, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil has risen about 13%, while gasoline prices nationwide have risen about 11%. Contrary to popular perception, on a percentage basis gasoline prices rise less quickly than crude oil prices because the price of crude oil accounts for only 60%-70% of the price of gasoline.

The rebound in the California economy has led to increased employment and higher average weekly wages. This average is the benchmark for temporary total disability wages paid to workers injured on the job. As a result, the maximum weekly temporary total disability benefits for claims with injury dates after January 1, 2015 will increase to $1,103.29. The minimum weekly wage rate increases to $165.49.

The CIOMA Memorial Scholarship Committee, CIOMA Board of Directors, and staff would like to extend congratulations to all CIOMA Memorial Scholarship Fund scholarship award winners! We would also like to say thank you to all of our members for making this program possible.