EGS Biweekly Global Business Newsletter Issue 34, Monday, July 12, 2021
By William (Bill) Edwards, CEO of Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS)
“It always seems impossible until it is done.”, Nelson Mandala
“Growth is the only evidence of life.”, Dee Hock
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”, T. S. Eliot
Highlights in issue #34:
- Download our just released July 2021 GlobalVue™ 44 country ranking chart
- China Commits to Raising Retirement Age as Pension Shortfall Looms
- The Geopolitics of Climate Change: The Race for New Energy –
- Coffee vs Tea vs Soft Drinks: What Caffeine Drinks Do Countries Prefer?
- (UK) Services sector grows at record rate but costs mount
- Ryanair Triples the Number of Passengers Carried in June
- Dairy Queen® reopens in SM Megamall in Manila
- Brand News Section: Au Bon Pain®, Benito’s Taco Shop (LA), Dairy Queen®, KFC®, Subway®, Taco Bell®
Key Trends This Issue
We have just released our July 2021 quarterly GlobalVue™ chart that ranks 44 countries on 11 key political, economic and operating factors. Not surprisingly, overall countries that have seen significant levels of COVID vaccinations are having faster economic recovery.
Our Mission and Information Sources
Our biweekly global business update newsletter focuses on what is happening around the worldthat impacts new trends, health, consumer spending, business investment, economic development and travel.
We daily monitor 30+ countries, 40+ international information sources and six business sectors to keep up with what is going on in this ever-changing environment. Our GlobalTeam™ on the ground covers 43 countries and provides us with updates about what is happening in their specific countries. Please feel free to send us your input and sources of information. Our contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Interesting Data and Studies
Download our just released July 2021 GlobalVue™ 44 country ranking chart
“Foreign Direct Investment Crashed in 2020 – Global FDI fell by 35 percent to a total of $1 trillion, with developed economies hit particularly hard. FDI flows to Europe fell by 80 percent, while flows to North America fell by 42 percent.’, Geopolitical Futures, July 2, 2021
“According to the United Nations, the global median age has increased by 7 years since 1950, from 24 to 31. That said, young people accounted for 33% of the global population in 2020, making them the largest demographic across the globe. In 2020, more than 147 million people around the world were between the ages of 80-99, accounting for 1.9% of the global population.”, Visual Capitalist, July 2021
“The Geopolitics of Climate Change: The Race for New Energy – Great power competition has long centered on critical resources and routes, whether they be spices from the East, silver and gold from the New World, or oil from the Middle East. Changing perceptions of the value of particular commodities, often shaped by technological developments, fundamentally alter the perceived value of place, at least in the sense of power competition. Resource-rich areas fought over in one generation may be backwaters in the next.”, Stratfor Worldview, July 9, 2021
Global, Regional & Local Travel Updates
“Ryanair Triples the Number of Passengers Carried in June – The benefits of robust vaccination programs and a consolidated approach to the easing of travel restrictions are beginning to see positive effects for the European aviation industry. On Friday, the Ryanair Group announced that 5.3 million passengers were carried across the consortium’s network of airlines in the month of June.”, Airline Geeks, July 3, 2021
“European Travel Forecast Shows Desired Destinations For U.S. Travelers This Summer – Americans are now able to visit the European Union, vaccinated or not. The European Council has updated its list of countries whose citizens and residents should be allowed to travel freely to the bloc’s 27 member nations, and the United States is finally on it.”, Forbes, July 8, 2021
“Foreign bosses exempt from (UK) Covid quarantine ‘to boost business – The decision prompted suggestions that the government was pursuing “one rule for the rich and another for the rest”. It follows controversy over a decision to exempt from quarantine an estimated 2,500 VIPs, Uefa officials, politicians and sponsors to allow them to attend the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020.”, The Times of London, May 25, 2021
“Aeroméxico Resumes International Routes, Starts Flying 737 MAX – Little by little, the airline is returning to operate at pre-pandemic levels. Currently, both airlines offer more than 40 routes between Mexico and the U.S. from their main operations centers, and in July they will operate more than 4,500 flights, a 91% recovery compared to the same period two years ago.”, Airline Geeks, July 4, 2021
Global Vaccine Update
25.3% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 3.44 billion doses have been administered globally, and 29.58 million are now administered each day. Only 1% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.”, Our World In Data, July 11, 2021
Country & Regional Updates
Argentina
“IATA Cautions Argentina about Barring International Flights – Airlines are reportedly considering resuming service to Argentina after the government decided to limit the number of passengers through international airports to 600 per day, ostensibly to combat the Delta coronavirus strain. The move has resulted in numerous flights being denied landing privileges.”, Airways Magazine, July 3, 2021
Australia
“Aussie fitness chain F45 eyeing $2b valuation for NY stock exchange – The Australian company, which prides itself on its high intensity interval training (HIIT) fitness regimes, is looking to list on the New York stock exchange. The gym was founded in 2013 in Australia and now has more than 1,500 studios, with about 2,800 franchises in 63 countries.”, News.com.au, July 8, 2021. Compliments of Jason Gehrke, Founder and Director, Franchise Advisory Centre, Brisbane
Canada
“Canada is starting to slowly reopen — but Americans still can’t visit for tourism – Leaders in Canada and the United States have extended the nonessential travel ban on a near-monthly basis since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. But on July 5, the two countries eased restrictions for the first time — a move before eventually reopening the border entirely over the next few weeks.”, The Points Guy, July 6, 2021
China
“China’s manufacturing PMI edges down to 50.9 in June, indicating growth moderation in the manufacturing sector. 7 of the 13 sub-indices were lower than their respective levels in the previous month.”, Fung Business Intelligence, June 30, 2021
“Cargo glut at key Chinese shipping port loosens after global delays – A key shipping port in Yantian, in southern China, is nearly back to full capacity after a recent COVID outbreak partially shut down operations.”, Axios, July 7, 2021
“China Commits to Raising Retirement Age as Pension Shortfall Looms – The government will further expand the coverage of the basic state pension insurance system managed by provincial-level governments, encourage the growth of the occupational pension and private pension sectors, and delay the legal retirement age….”, Caixing Global, July 6, 2021
Japan
“Japanese fax fans rally to defence of much-maligned machine – Ministers back down after hundreds of government offices insist banishing fax would be impossible. The backlash has forced the government to abandon its mission to turn officialdom into a digital-only operation, the newspaper said on Wednesday.”, The Guardian, July 7, 2021
Singapore
“Singapore inches toward reopening divided by vaccine status – Dine-in at food outlets increases to five people next week. Once at least 50% of Singapore residents are fully vaccinated, expected around the end of the month, the government is looking to relax rules around dining, office work and events even more, especially for those who’ve been fully vaccinated.”, Houston Chronicle, July 7, 2021
Turkey
“Turkey hikes electricity prices by 15%, natural gas prices by up to 20% – The country’s natural gas distributor BOTAŞ said it had raised natural gas prices for residential use by 12%, industrial use by 20% and for electricity production by 20.2%. This marked the seventh increase in natural gas prices since January, according to the tariff released by BOTAŞ.”, The Daily Sabah, July 1, 2021
United Kingdom
“Half of UK to get Covid booster with flu jab to avoid further lockdowns – All over-50s urged to ‘protect freedom’ during busy winter for NHS. The JCVI issued interim advice that boosters should begin with offers to health and care workers, the extremely vulnerable and the over-70s. The programme will then move on to all over-50s and younger people with underlying conditions, with a total of 32 million people eligible in the UK.”, The Times of London, July 1, 2021
“UK relaxes trucking rules to ease shortage of drivers – Britain’s government said on Wednesday it would relax rules this month for how long truck drivers can work, as a temporary fix for a severe shortage of qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) operators as the economy reopens from its coronavirus lockdowns.”, Reuters, July 7, 2021
“Covid passports planned in time for England’s autumn wave– PM hopes to increase vaccination among young with compulsory certificates in pubs, clubs and restaurants. by mid-September ministers say all over-18s will have had the chance to have both jabs and officials believe that vaccination passports could be mandated for use in premises where social distancing is not possible.”, The Times of London, July 10, 2021
“(UK) Services sector grows at record rate but costs mount – IHS Markit said that capacity constraints caused prices in the sector to rise at the fastest pace on record as businesses passed on some of the extra costs to consumers. Businesses in the eurozone came up against similar challenges and the composite input prices index rose from 66.8 to 69.8. This was the highest reading in nearly 21 years.”, The Times of London, July 5, 2021
United States
“Fast-food franchises are getting desperate to hire workers – Hourly workers are hard to find, just as people are starting to venture out to restaurants and take vacations that should include lots of fast food stops. Chains are offering higher salaries and other perks to compete for food service workers.”, Axios, June 30, 2021
Brand News
Dairy Queen® reopens in SM Megamall in Manila, LinkedIn post, July 5, 2021
“KFC, Taco Bell fans rejoice: Dozens of new stores to open, delivery to expand – The company behind American fast food giants KFC and Taco Bell in Australia has aggressive plans to open many more restaurants, saying the fried chicken icon continues to be its big earner. “, News.com.au, June 29, 2021. Compliments of Jason Gehrke, Founder and Director, Franchise Advisory Centre, Brisbane
“Subway grasps for a lifeline as Americans shun ageing brand – The closely held company on Tuesday announced what it calls the biggest changes ever in its more than half-a-century history. Dubbed the “Eat Fresh Refresh”, Subway is rolling out two new bread recipes, several on-trend premium ingredients and a handful of new sandwiches, plus nationwide delivery service. It is hoping those changes will lure diners back to its stores after five straight years of declines.”, Australian Financial Review, July 7, 2021. Compliments of Jason Gehrke, Founder and Director, Franchise Advisory Centre, Brisbane
“Yum Brands franchisee Ampex Brands acquires Au Bon Pain – The purchase from Panera Bread includes $60 million in assets and was finalized June 29. Yum Brands and 7-Eleven franchisee Ampex Brands announced Wednesday the acquisition of bakery-café chain Au Bon Pain from JAB Holding-owned Panera Bread.”, Nation’s Restaurant News, July 9, 2021
“Virtual restaurants and the ghost of California burritos past – For the last decade or so, Benito’s Taco Shop on Santa Monica Boulevard has been my favorite California burrito spot on the west side. A few weeks ago I called and placed my regular order, a California burrito and three rolled tacos. But when I drove down Santa Monica Boulevard, the familiar yellow and orange Benito’s sign was nowhere to be found.”, Los Angeles Times, July 2, 2021
“Some restaurant chains deal with supply shortages by trying to pivot – At least nine fast-food chains and restaurants surveyed by Reuters. acknowledge some of their locations are dealing with shortages of key ingredients and menu items, as companies deal with end-of-lockdown distortions in supply chains.”, Marketplace, June 29, 2021
“These “French Tacos” Were a Sensation In Europe, But Flopped in the U.S. What Went Wrong? The French franchise O’Tacos is rapidly expanding across Europe, but failed to find its footing with its first outpost in the U.S. What should its fellow foreign companies know about coming to the U.S.? And how can American partners profit from their unique ideas?’, An article in Entrepreneur magazine by Ray Hays.
Articles & Studies About Doing Business Going Forward
“Long waves: The History of Innovation Cycles – Creative destruction plays a key role in entrepreneurship and economic development. Coined by economist Joseph Schumpeter in 1942, the theory of “creative destruction” suggests that business cycles operate under long waves of innovation. Specifically, as markets are disrupted, key clusters of industries have outsized effects on the economy.”, Visual Capitalist, June 30, 2021
“Over the last 50 years, the energy mix of G20 countries has changed drastically in some ways. With many countries and regions pledging to move away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner sources of energy, the overall energy mix is becoming more diversified. But shutting down plants and replacing them with new sources takes time, and most countries are still incredibly reliant on fossil fuels.”, British Petroleum Statistical review of World Energy, via Visual Capitalist, June 29, 2021
“This series of map pulls data from the World Happiness Report to uncover the average scores of 149 countries between 2018-2020, and which ones emerged the happiest or unhappiest. The report also looks at more intangible aspects, collecting survey responses around: Social support; Freedom to make life choices; Generosity; Perceptions of government/ business corruption; and Positive or negative effects (Recent experience of emotions).”, Visual Capitalist, June 2021
“Coffee vs Tea vs Soft Drinks: What Caffeine Drinks Do Countries Prefer? It might be the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive substance, but your preferred caffeine drink of choice might come down to where you live. A study into caffeine consumption of 57 countries examined the role it plays in our diets, using the volume sales of caffeine-containing beverages from Euromonitor to see what caffeine source each country prefers.”, Visual Capitalist, July 12, 2021
We accelerate successful global development for our Clients
Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS) provides a complete International solution for companies Going Global. From initial global market research and country prioritization, to developing new international markets, providing in-country operations support and problem solving around the world. Our U.S. based executive team has experience living and working in many countries. Our Associate network on the ground overseas covers 40+ countries. EGS has twice received the U.S. President’s Award for Export Excellence.
Find out more about how we help companies Going Global successfully at:
Download our latest 40 country ranking chart at this link:
July 2021 GlobalVue™ Country Ranking Chart
William (Bill) Edwards, CFE, is CEO and Global Advisor of Edwards Global Services (EGS). He has 46 years of international operations, development, executive and entrepreneurial experience and has lived in 7 countries. With experience in the franchise, oil and gas, information technology and management consulting sectors, he has directed projects on-site in Alaska, Asia, Europe and the Middle and Near East. Mr. Edwards advises a wide range of companies on early to long term global development of their brands.
My latest article: “Digital Transformation: Global development adapts to a virtual world”, Franchising.com, June 13, 2021
For truly global market research, operations and development support across 40 countries, contact Mr. Edwards at bedwards@edwardsglobal.com or +1 949 224 3896.
View a brief video on Bill’s background and focus: imparting global wisdom
https://calendly.com/geowizard/30min Click here to schedule a call with Bill Edwards to discuss how to succeed in developing your company around the world.
