Heading into the Black Friday/CyberMonday selling frenzy, we’ll come to know whether those forecasts of massive inventory shortages actually happened. Or if retailers’ initiatives to place orders earlier and invest in higher cost but faster shipping solutions saved the day.
LOGISTICS
After months of surging, freight rates retreated from their summer peak and have stabilized – albeit at levels that are nearly 300% above last year’s prices.
The possibility that freight rates will continue to back down is starting to seem more realistic. However most agree that we won’t be seeing 2019 levels for quite a while – if ever.
Air cargo rates continued to rise during the past week (up an average of 2.7% week-on-week) as air is now the only option for holiday merchandise.
PODCAST
How to Find the Right Digital Marketing Strategy
Most companies are using some form of digital marketing. However a growing number are struggling to achieve the results they hoped for. In this episode Madeline Farquharson of Inqling Studio gives us insights into:
- Why Marketers Need a ‘Provisional Persona’ for Their Products.
- The Power of Community in Driving Leads.
- How We Can Benchmark the Success of Our Digital Marketing.
- Why It Pays to Use Paid Promotion.
- The Critical Difference Between ‘Rented’ and ‘Owned’ Audiences.
ENERGY
The UK is joining the US, China, India, Japan and South Korea in releasing a 70 million barrels of oil on to the market in a bid to lower prices after OPEC refused to increase production.
- Brent crude prices are up nearly 60% since the start of the year.
Growing gap between booming gas demand and falling supply is cause for significant concern, according to Energy Voice, which warned of price hikes, especially in Asia.
China’s energy crisis is easing, but winter weather could but new strains on the nation’s power producers driving up prices and potentially causing shortages, said analysts.
MATERIALS
- Cotton yarn prices in India have risen 20% during the last three months on the back of surging cotton prices.
- Polyester yarn prices in China rose as energy shortages forced some factories to close.
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