QAD Precision News Round-Up: 10 September 2021

In the QAD Precision News Round-Up: 10 September 2021, Japan has strong Q2; China’s exports improve; Amazon opens a hub in Ireland; DHL adds 50 EV to UK fleet; Luluelemon sales soar; plus why integrate compliance and multi carrier shipping. 

Global Trade

JAPAN’S ECONOMY STRONG IN Q2

In the period covering April — June, Japan’s economy grew faster than expected, helped by capital expenditure and factory output. On Wednesday, data showed revised gross domestic product (GDP) grew an annualized 1.9 percent in the second quarter. This result was stronger than a median forecast for a 1.6 percent expansion and the preliminary estimate of a 1.3 percent gain. Nevertheless, Japan's economic recovery remains uncertain due to a resurgence in Covid-19 and a slow vaccination rollout. For more information, please see RTE.   

CHINA’S EXPORTS UP IN AUGUST 

In August, China’s exports grew faster than expected as global demand increased. According to customs data released on Tuesday, last month, shipments from China climbed 25.6 percent year-on-year, an increase from 19.3 percent in July. Analysts polled by Reuters had predicted an expansion of 17.1 percent. Assistant economist at Capital Economics, Sheana Yue, said the increase was driven by consumer goods including electronics, furniture and recreational goods. In addition, China’s imports grew 33.1 percent year-on-year last month. This surpassed the expected 26.8 percent increase in the Reuters poll. For more information, please see Reuters.  

Retail 

AMAZON TO OPEN NEW FULFILLMENT CENTER IN IRELAND

On Thursday, Amazon announced that it is to open a new 630,000 square foot fulfillment center at Baldonnell Business Park, Dublin. The facility, which is the first Amazon warehouse in Ireland, will open next spring and will create 500 jobs. According to Amazon, the warehouse will service customers across Ireland and the rest of the EU. Additionally, the facility will improve delivery time for customers in Ireland, including one-day delivery on thousands of items. For more details, please click here. 

LULULEMON SALES RISE DESPITE SUPPLY CHAIN CONCERNS

On Wednesday, Lululemon reported an increase in sales as its net revenue soared 61 percent to $1.5 billion in the second quarter. Its net profit grew to $208 million from $86.8 million in the same period a year earlier. However, the company voiced concerns about disruptions to the global supply chain. In recent weeks, factories in Vietnam were forced to close due to Covid-19. According to Lululemon’s Chief Executive, Calvin McDonald, a third of the company’s sourcing comes from Vietnam. Despite these supply chain disruptions, Lululemon has forecasted that its annual net sales will be between $6.19 billion to $6.26 billion. For more information, please click here. 

Carriers 

DHL EXPRESS LAUNCHES 50 NEW ELECTRIC VANS IN UK 

DHL Express has announced that it has added 50 electric vans to its UK fleet. The carrier stated that it will deploy these zero emission vehicles before the end of 2021. Furthermore, DHL also plans to add 220 more electric vehicles to its UK fleet before the end of next year. The vans will serve a number of cities across the UK this year, including Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham. 

Deutsche Post DHL Group recently announced a €7 billion investment to help meet its Mission 2050 goals of net-zero emissions. The group also plans to have over 80,000 e-vehicles on the road and 60 percent of last mile delivery electrified by 2030. For more information, please click here. 

UPS OPENS EXPANDED AIR HUB IN THE UK 

This week, UPS opened its expanded air hub located at East Midlands Airport in the UK. According to UPS, this facility will benefit small and medium-sized businesses looking to gain cross-border customers. The expanded air hub is 36,000m2 and has the capacity to sort up to 22,500 packages per hour. The hub is also equipped with the latest package sorting technology. For more details, please click here. 

QAD Precision News 

THE BENEFITS OF INTEGRATING COMPLIANCE AND MULTI CARRIER SHIPPING SOLUTIONS

For multinational enterprises and shippers, managing logistics across different sites, countries and carriers is no easy task. Logistics staff must ensure the efficient movement of goods, so that your customers — and your customer’s customers — are not left waiting.

Delays are sometimes inevitable. Third-party issues are beyond the control of management. However, certain delays are certainly avoidable. For example, incomplete or inaccurate documentation, resulting in customs hold ups.

In addition, global trade is getting more complex and challenging. That was true even before Covid-19 swept from Wuhan to the rest of the world, disrupting supply chains across many industries. In this QAD Precision Report, we look at how integrating compliance and multi carrier shipping helps multinationals to navigate these challenges. To read the full report, please click here. 

QAD PRECISION IS TO EXHIBIT AT THE PARCEL FORUM CONFERENCE

QAD Precision is to exhibit at this year's Parcel Forum Conference on September 14-16 in National Harbor, MD.

On Wednesday, September 15, join QAD Precision's President Corey Rhodes at 12:20PM-1:00PM EDT for his session "Why Cloud, Why Now?" Attendees will learn about the traditional reluctance of parcel shippers to move toward this technology and the benefits of the cloud. For more details about the conference, please click here.