Markets News

Yesterday, England was introduced to a three-tier lockdown system. Which is probably something we’re all going to be experts on in a few weeks, despite being baffled at the outset. For those in tier one (currently the vast majority of Merseyside) one of the rules means that pubs just selling drinks will have to close, but if they serve food they can open.

Sea, air and rail ports in England will be invited to bid for freeport status before the end of the year, with the government aiming for the first freeport in the UK to be open for business in 2021.

E-commerce sales could be 169% higher than shopping in store during the Christmas peak, a survey by one artificial intelligence supplier has found.

Christmas 2020 is set to break online shopping records as growth continues to accelerate due to the global coronavirus pandemic, with overall e-commerce sales expected to jump from initial predictions of 11% to 19% reaching £78.9bn (source: Edge Retail Insight).

Logistics UK (formerly the Freight Transport Association) has warned that if the government does not consider the economic impact of its latest coronavirus containment measures it could lead to further job losses.

The Cabinet Office has predicted queues of some 7,000 port bound trucks in Kent and delays of up to two days for freight movements by road across the Channel following the end of the Brexit Transition Period on 31 December.

The Road Haulage Association has accused the government of leaving logistics and road transport operators to “carry the can” and says its promises that businesses will be ready as just “a whitewash” with just 70 days to go until the end of the Brexit Transition Period.

Freight forwarders that are now unable to restitute empty containers to the port of Felixstowe until September 23rd say it is yet another example of appalling service from a port that describes itself as ‘The Port of Britain’.

Supply chain leaders must be able to deliver high-quality products at warp speed whilst meeting sustainability targets, building relationships with suppliers and sub-suppliers, predicting demand for products and resources, mitigating risk, and rapidly adopting new technologies without disrupting business as usual.

This week is always an exciting week at Logistics Manager: it’s the start of the Supply Chain Excellence Awards judging

DFDS has launched a climate action plan to “consistently reduce” carbon emissions and ultimately become carbon neutral by 2050.

Operators of Mercedes-Benz and FUSO commercial vehicles in and around Birmingham can look forward to an even higher level of service when Midlands Truck & Van opens for business at a new, state-of-the-art dealership in the city.

You don’t have to turn far for bad economic news: M&S to cut 7,000 jobs over the next three months; Debenhams owner on brink of recession; John Lewis to permanently close eight stores…

Lieven Hendrickx has joined Europa Road as head of customs, as the 3PL prepares for operations after the Brexit transition period.

Knowles Transport has urged logistics operations to focus on reducing carbon emissions post Covid-19.

Cargo service provider Zim has developed a new software that highlights mis-declared and hazardous cargo before it is loaded onto a vessel.

Logistics UK and the Road Haulage Association have called on the UK government and the EU to reach a compromise over cabotage regulations and the access UK road transport operators have to EU markets.

The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market saw its first month of growth since January, with a 7.1% increase in registrations, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

In current times, more than ever we need to be vigilant of fevers or virus’s and in turn the wellbeing of staff and customers in public areas.

Having a robust visibility plan can help to fix problems, or even mitigate risk entirely. Visibility can also provide insight into storage, inventor, and how trends are shaping consumer buying habits.