Boutiques.com is similar to Like.com, the visual search site founded by Mr. Shah for shoppers of apparel and other soft goods.

WSJ: Google Jumps Into Fashion E-Commerce

Business Insider, a very successful web site, has another way of looking at this phenomenon of the market refusing to decline in the face of disappointing economic data like soft durable goods orders or softening in GDP due to the Sequester and Austerity.

FORBES: I Wanted To Know Why The Market Keeps Rising

China is now disrupting global commodities markets, influencing the price of gold, and affecting pricing for many soft and hard goods producers around the world.

FORBES: Investing In China Is Fraught With Business Landmines

Some dealings will seem benign -- the sale of commercial goods like soft drinks, for instance.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

The same goes for pharmaceutical houses and packaged goods, soft drinks purveyors and aerospace giants like Boeing and United Technologies.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Two groups were advised to follow a Mediterranean diet, which also encourages wine with meals and limits red meat, soft drinks and commercial baked goods.

WSJ: Mediterranean Diet of Olive Oil, Nuts, Reduces Heart Disease, Study Finds

The site covers 130, 000 sq ft of trading space and sells a variety of goods from bridal wear to soft furnishings.

BBC: David Morgan closure talks

One or just a few companies still dominate the production of goods such as cement, glass, soft drinks, flour, sugar, and bread.

FORBES: The Mexico Paradox

While Japan suffered the direct impact of a massive tsunami, which also caused a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, the U.S. saw production hit by supply chain disruptions, as Japan provides many of the intermediate goods needed to build cars. (Read Bernanke Fed Blames Commodities And Japan For Soft Patch).

FORBES: Toyota Hitting Bottom, Posts Big Loss But Raises Outlook