December 12, 2024
“Innovation has nothing to do with how many R & D dollars you have.
“When Apple came up with the Mac, IBM was spending at least 100 times more on R & D. It’s not about money. It’s about the people you have, how you’re led, and how much you get it.”
– Steve Jobs
LOGISTICS
Ocean rates from Asia to Europe and the Mediterranean may already be increasing on pre-Lunar New Year demand as shippers need to ensure they move sufficient inventory out of Asia before the holiday slowdown or risk extended waits due to diversions around the Cape of Good Hope for containers that move only after Lunar New Year, per Freightos.
Exporters from China, Canada and Mexico are accelerating shipments to the United States to avoid potential tariffs proposed by the upcoming administration, leading to increased port activity and higher freight rates. Businesses are adjusting timelines and exploring alternative production methods to mitigate risks, per UPS.
Spot rates on the India-US East Coast route have sharply declined since their late-July peak, with rates varying by up to $500, as smaller carriers look to fill capacity, per Century Supply Chain Solutions.
THIS MONTH
This month Jennifer Patton, Sourcing Director, Coppel Dept Store, talks about how Coppel built a wildly successful retail business by solving one fundamental problem for customers.
She also discusses the strategic sourcing model the company uses to source innovative products across a vast range of categories. Read more
PODCAST
Data security is something we take for granted – until one of our devices or data servers gets hacked.
Individuals and companies face dire situations when a hacker gets into their records and holds them for ransom.
In this podcast Denis O’Shea, a technology expert and founder of Mobile Mentor, an endpoint ecosystem that helps organizations boost security by reducing the number of user passwords. He talks about practical solutions that almost any company can deploy.
You’ll Learn:
MATERIALS
U.S. cotton futures stabilized around 70 cents per pound, amid a relatively stable dollar.
Oil prices inched up as the demand outlook improved. In particular, China announced monetary policy aimed at boosting its economy – and potentially driving up energy demand.
Wool decreased 70 AUD/100Kg or 5.78% since the beginning of 2024.
An expanded list of materials prices is available here.
MARKETS
President Xi said that China would continue to energise global economic growth and hit its yearly target of 5% gross domestic product expansion as officials amplified policy support.
US inflation rose to 2.7% in November, which could cause the Federal Reserve to reconsider how quickly to reduce interest rates. However, financial market participants still widely expect a 0.25% rate cut in December.
Inflation in the Netherlands looks set to remain around 3%, well above the European Central Bank’s 2% target level in 2025 and eurozone averages. This is in part due to the Dutch economy pushing the boundaries of its production capacity, per ING Bank.
CURRENCIES
The British pound has risen to a 20-month high against the euro as fears over weakness in key European economies stoked expectations of interest rate cuts in the coming months.
Opportunities & Offers
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