Business and Finance

How attacks on ships in the Red Sea may affect what you buy

Published

7 months ago

March 10, 2024

IAM

WASHINGTON (AP) – Car factories in Belgium and Germany have stopped working. Spring fashion collections at a preferred British department store are delayed. A Maryland hospital supply company doesn’t know when to expect parts from Asia.

Attacks on ships in the Red Sea represent one other shock to global trade, on top of pandemic-related port congestion and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Houthi rebels in Yemen, searching for to halt Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza, are attacking cargo ships plying the waters connecting Asia with Europe and the United States, forcing the movement away from the Suez Canal and around the tip of Africa. Disruptions are causing delays and rising costs – at a time when the world has yet to beat a resurgence in inflation.

“What has happened now is short-term chaos, and chaos drives up costs,” said Ryan Petersen, CEO of supply chain management company Flexport. “There are 10,000 containers on each diverted ship. Many emails and phone calls are being made to re-plan each container trip.”

Adding to the confusion in global shipping is what Petersen calls a “double whammy”: passage through one other key trade corridor – the Panama Canal – is restricted by low water levels brought on by drought. And shippers are rushing to move goods before Chinese factories close for the Lunar New Year holiday from February 10-17.

The threat increases significantly as the war in Gaza drags on. A yearlong trade disruption in the Red Sea could push commodity inflation up by as much as 2%, Petersen says, adding to the pain at a time when the world is already grappling with higher prices for groceries, rents and more. It could also mean even higher rates of interest, which have weakened economies.

For now, Man & Machine in Greater Landover, Maryland, is awaiting shipment from Taiwan and greater China. An organization that makes washable keyboards and accessories for hospitals and other customers has suffered setback after setback.

Founder and CEO Clifton Broumand often receives a shipment of components about once a month, but the latest shipment, which left Asia 4 weeks ago, has been delayed. The normal route – a three-week route through the Suez Canal – was closed on account of Houthi attacks.

Redirecting to the Panama Canal also didn’t work – the shipment was hampered by the drought mess. He may must cross the Pacific to Los Angeles and arrive by truck or train in Maryland. Broumand has no idea when the products will arrive.

“It’s annoying and interesting. I feel our customers, all of them understand that. It’s not an issue like, “Why didn’t you plan this?” – who knew?” he said. “We call our customers and say, ‘Hey, that is going to be delayed. That’s why it’s like this. Nobody likes it, nevertheless it won’t kill anybody. It’s just one other frustration.’

Other industries experience similar problems.

Shoppers pass a branch of British retail chain Marks & Spencer in London, August 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, file)

Electric automotive maker Tesla must close its factory near Berlin from Monday until February 11 on account of delivery delays. Chinese-owned Swedish automotive brand Volvo was idled on its assembly line in Ghent, Belgium, where it produces station wagons and SUVs, for 3 days this month, waiting for a key gearbox part.

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Production at the Suzuki Motor Corp. plant. in Hungary was suspended for every week on account of a delay in the delivery of engines and other parts from Japan.

British retailer Marks & Spencer warned that the confusion would delay latest spring collections of clothing and homewares, which were on account of be released in February and March. Chief executive Stuart Machin said troubles in the Red Sea “affect everyone and that’s what we’re very focused on.”

About 20% of clothing and footwear imports into the U.S. arrive through the Suez Canal, said Steve Lamar, CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association. For Europe, the impact is even greater: 40% of garments and 50% of shoes go through the Red Sea.

“This is a crisis that has global implications for the shipping industry,” Lamar said.

According to Flexport, as of January 19, nearly 25% of world shipping capability is or might be diverted from the Red Sea, adding 1000’s of miles and every week or two to journeys.

The cost of shipping a regular 40-foot container from Asia to northern Europe has increased from lower than $1,500 in mid-December to almost $5,500. According to freight booking platform Freightos, moving cargo from Asia to the Mediterranean is even dearer: almost $6,800 in comparison with $2,400 in mid-December.

But it could possibly be worse. Two years ago, at the height of supply chain backup, it cost $15,000 to ship a container from Asia to Northern Europe and nearly $14,200 to ship a container from Asia to the Mediterranean.

“In terms of supply chain disruptions, we’re not even close to what happened during the pandemic,” said Katheryn Russ, an economist at the University of California, Davis.

In 2021 and 2022, American consumers, reeling from Covid-19 lockdowns and armed with government aid checks, went on a spending spree, ordering furniture, sports equipment and other goods. Their orders overwhelmed factories, ports and cargo yards, resulting in delays, shortages and better prices.

This photo provided by the Indian Navy shows the US-owned ship Genco Picardy, which was attacked on Wednesday by a bomb-carrying drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden, Thursday, January 18, 2024. (Indian Navy via AP, File)

Now is different. After this supply chain mess, shipping corporations expanded their fleets. They have more ships to deal with shocks.

“The market is overcapacity,” said Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, “which is thing. The capability needs to be sufficient to deal with this disruption.

Global demand has also weakened – partly because the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks have raised rates of interest to combat inflation and partly because China’s powerful economy is weakening. Inflation has fallen over the last 12 months and a half, even though it continues to be higher than central banks would expect.

“There are some really big forces driving inflation down,” said Russ, who was a White House economic adviser in the Obama administration. “It’s hard to say that (the Red Sea disruption) will significantly offset the declines in inflation that we’re seeing here and there beyond a tenth of a percentage point.”

Many corporations say they’ve yet to see a major impact. Retail Target, for instance, said most of its products don’t go through the Suez Canal and “was confident in our ability to provide guests with the products they want and need.”

Houthi fighters march during a rally in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and against US attacks on Yemen near Sanaa, January 22, 2024. (AP Photo)

BMW said: “All lights are green… our factory supply is secure.” Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara said it was “only slightly impacted” by transit challenges in the Red Sea.

Carlos Tavares, CEO of carmaker Stellantis, said: “So far, everything is fine. Things are going well.”

The rest may not last long. Flexport CEO Petersen warned that if shippers avoid the Suez Canal for a 12 months, “it’s a really big deal.” Higher costs would result in “goods inflation of 1 to 2%.”

Jan Hoffmann, a U.N. shipping expert, warned on Thursday that shipping problems in the Red Sea pose a risk to global food security by slowing the distribution of grain to parts of Africa and Asia that depend on wheat from Europe and the Black Sea area.

It could be even worse if the conflict in the Middle East deepens and drives up oil prices, which are actually lower than the day before Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.

For now, corporations are hesitant.

The Free People subsidiary of retailer Urban Outfitters imports clothing from India and “ships a lot of it by air,” co-CEO Frank Conforti said at an investor conference this month. However, putting furniture and home items on planes is simply too expensive.

At least home items aren’t as “fashion sensitive” as clothes, Conforti said, so wasting 15 days “sailing around the tip of Africa isn’t the end of the world.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

Business and Finance

Black-owned brand redefines vodka with first-ever organic hemp-infused vodka

Published

1 day ago

September 20, 2024

IAM

Fiyori Vodka changes the foundations of the alcohol industry, offering a singular combination of luxury and well-being.

Founded by Clarence Darkwa and COO Jay Black, Fiyori is the world’s first organic vodka with hemp. It offers a smooth, sophisticated drinking experience combined with the health advantages of organic hemp seeds. As black entrepreneurs in a white-dominated industry, Clarence and Jay have overcome challenges and broken barriers to create a product that stands out and is leading a brand new wave of wellness-conscious spirits.

BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP We caught up with the founders to debate their journey, the innovation behind their brand, and the way Fiyori is poised to disrupt the market.

BE: What inspired you to create Fiyori and the way did the thought for an organic hemp-infused vodka come about?

Clarence and Jay: Fiyori was inspired by the need to create a premium vodka that not only tasted exceptional, but in addition offered health advantages. Known for its wealthy dietary profile—filled with essential fatty acids, proteins, and antioxidants—hemp seeds were a natural alternative. We desired to mix wellness with pampering, and so the thought of an organic vodka infused with hemp was born. Fiyori was a product that combined one of the best of each worlds: premium vodka and the advantages of organic hemp seeds, while maintaining a smooth, sophisticated taste.

Can you tell us concerning the technique of developing the world’s first organic hemp-infused vodka? What challenges did you encounter along the best way?

Creating the world’s first organic hemp-infused vodka has been an exciting journey. The process began with sourcing high-quality organic hemp seeds that met our rigorous standards for sustainability and purity. We experimented with the infusion process to realize the proper balance of flavor without compromising the smoothness of the vodka. One of the most important challenges was overcoming regulatory hurdles and educating consumers concerning the difference between hemp and marijuana. Despite these hurdles, we remained committed to creating a singular product that showcased the natural advantages of hemp seeds.

Why was it necessary to you that Fiyori vodka not only be hemp-infused but in addition organic? How do these decisions reflect your brand values?

From the very starting, we were committed to making a vodka that was aligned with the values of quality, sustainability and wellness. The decision to make use of organic ingredients stemmed from our belief that customers deserve a clean, pure product without harmful additives. Hemp seeds have quite a few health advantages and we desired to preserve these characteristics through an organic process. This commitment to integrity reflects Fiyori’s mission to supply a premium, health-conscious vodka while supporting sustainable farming practices.

How do you think that the addition of hemp makes your vodka stand out from others available on the market and the way have consumers responded to it to date?

The hemp infusion definitely sets Fiyori apart in some ways. It adds a subtle nutty flavor and offers potential health advantages like improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and protection of neurological function. Consumers were thrilled to find a vodka that not only tastes smooth but may also contribute to their overall well-being. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many purchasers surprised by how smooth our vodka is and thrilled by the potential health advantages.

In an industry where tradition often rules, how does Fiyori manage to embrace innovation while still paying homage to the art of vodka making?

While we honor traditional vodka-making techniques, we’ve embraced innovation with our hemp seed infusion and deal with organic ingredients. Using state-of-the-art equipment and sustainable practices, we’ve created a product that’s each modern and respectful of workmanship. Our goal is to refine the vodka-making process without overshadowing its roots, combining tradition with recent trends in wellness and sustainability.

Given current trends within the alcohol industry, where do you see Fiyori’s place and what do you think that the longer term holds for cannabis-infused alcohol?

Fiyori suits right into the growing trend of health-conscious, organic spirits. As more people see the advantages of hemp and as regulations evolve, we imagine hemp-infused spirits will turn into more popular. We are proud to be on the forefront of this movement, leading the charge to coach consumers and push the boundaries of premium spirits.

What advice would you give to aspiring black entrepreneurs seeking to break through? spirits industry or other highly competitive market?

Our advice to aspiring Black entrepreneurs is to remain true to your unique vision. Your personal experiences and perspective can set you apart. Build strong networks, deal with quality and innovation, and persevere within the face of challenges. The journey is not going to be easy, but with exertions, community support, and a transparent mission, success is within sight.

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com

Business and Finance

Gary Payton Launches Greater Purpose Cannabis Brand

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2024

IAM

Former NBA star Gary Payton recently partnered with Green Label Rx to launch Greater Purpose, a cannabis-infused wellness brand with recovery support for athletes and professionals.

The product will debut on September 20 at Hall of Flowers, a cannabis industry trade show in Santa Rosa, California. The former legendary Seattle Supersonic guard has teamed up with Green Label Rx founder Jason McKnight to bring the product to the world.

“Having maintained peak physical fitness throughout my career, it became important to me to share the benefits of cannabis recovery and offer the highest quality wellness products to those with an active lifestyle,” Gary Payton said in a written statement.

Greater Purpose bills itself as the primary brand of its kind to mix the worlds of recovery and cannabis. The topical product line will help alleviate chronic muscle pain, because it has been developed to harness the healing properties of cannabis and is designed to assist those with an lively lifestyle.

During the Hall of Flowers festival, people will have the opportunity to experience Greater Purpose, receive exclusive prizes, watch live product demos and meet Payton on the event.

“Greater Purpose is more than just a product line – it’s a movement to change the way we think about recovery and self-care,” said Jason McKnight.

It was recently revealed that Payton, who has been coaching basketball for several years, was announced as the brand new head coach of the College of Alameda men’s basketball team. He will lead the team after serving as head coach at Lincoln University in Oakland, California for the past three seasons.

Payton has coached within the Big3 Ice Cube league since its inception in 2017. He led his team to a title last season and was named Big3 Coach of the Year.

In 2006, he won the NBA championship with the Miami Heat. The 56-year-old played within the NBA for 17 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. In the 1995-96 season, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the primary point guard to win the award.

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com

Business and Finance

2nd Annual Franchise Game Symposium in Plano, Texas Breaks New Ground

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2024

IAM

Tarji Carter - The Franchise Game Founder / Event Organizer

Franchise gameThe first and only African American Franchise Symposium and Trade Show in the U.S., held its second annual event on August 16, 2024 in Plano, Texas. The event, which was spearheaded by The Franchise Player, Tarji Carter, marketing expert Dessie Brown Jr., and brand consultant Daylon Goff, was held on the Yum! Restaurants International Corporate Campus. The symposium brought together industry experts and leaders to debate the secrets to success, challenges, and opportunities in franchising.

(Photo credit: Donnie R. Word II)

This yr’s theme, “Own Your Future: Franchising as a Path to True Independence,” was the focus throughout the day. There were many notable highlights, but in keeping with Tarja Carter, “One of the most memorable moments at The Franchise Game 2024 was an incredible fireside chat with our esteemed guest, Roland Parrish, and the incredible Lady Jade. Roland’s story of how he used his success to revitalize a struggling community in Dallas through his foundation is truly inspiring. And his sponsorship of Charlie Pride’s internship with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club shows just how deep his commitment runs. But what really stole the show were the priceless gems he dropped, encouraging everyone to lead with integrity, not greed. His words hit home in a powerful way and left the audience feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to make a difference.”

James Fripp, Chief Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Officer at Yum! Brands made a big impact at this yr’s Franchise Game by offering two scholarships to the Yum! Franchising Bootcamp through the Executive Education Program on the University of Louisville! This opportunity is an actual game-changer for 2 lucky participants who will now have the prospect to delve into the world of franchising and gain invaluable knowledge to advance in their entrepreneurial journey. What a unbelievable gesture of support and empowerment from James and Yum! Brands!

This yr, there have been twice as many exhibitors, including Ben & Jerry’s, American Franchise Academy, Nebo Law Firm, Dine Brands (IHOP, Applebee’s and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop), GoTo Foods (Cinnabon, Carvel, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Jamba Juice, McAlister’s Deli and Auntie Anne’s), Smoothie King, Potbelly Sandwiches, KFC, European Wax Center, Inspire Brands (Dunkin’, Baskin Robbins, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy Johns and Sonic Drive-In), EATS Broker (restaurant brokerage), ATenantCo (business real estate), Orchatect (IT infrastructure solutions) and Chick N Max.

I had the pleasure of participating in the symposium and trade fair, representing Ben & Jerry’s and reporting on the event BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP readers. In my role as a franchise development consultant for the brand, I shared with The Franchise Game participants details about Ben & Jerry’s industry-leading racial equity incentive program, which offers a big reduction in franchise fees and waives licensing fees for BIPOC candidates interested in ownership. “It’s definitely one of the most, if not the most aggressive incentive programs in the game,” Carter said. “We were also very grateful to partner with Ben & Jerry’s, who generously donated ten tickets for students at the University of North Texas at Frisco to participate in The Franchise Game and experience the world of franchising firsthand. It’s all about creating opportunity and access, and we’re so grateful for Ben & Jerry’s commitment to making a real difference!”

After the massive success of The Franchise Game 2024, planning is already underway for 2025. Carter said, “2024 was an absolute blast! We’ve doubled in size, with a bigger, better, and bolder program that sets the stage for something truly special. Our partnership with Yum! Brands has been phenomenal, and I’m excited to announce that we’re returning to their Plano Corporate Campus for The Franchise Game 2025 — and trust me, it’s going to be EPIC! We’re already gearing up for next year, ready to welcome more Texas entrepreneurs and give them the tools, connections, and inspiration they need to succeed as franchise owners. I can’t wait to see everyone there!”

To learn more about The Franchise Player and events, go to pl.franchiseplayer.com.

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com