EGS Biweekly Global Business Newsletter Issue 14, Monday, October 5, 2020
By William (Bill) Edwards, CEO of Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS)
“Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.”, Pablo Picasso
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”, Albert Einstein
“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.”, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson
Introduction
This biweekly newsletter focuses on what is happening in more than 20 countries that impact new trends, health, consumer spending, business investment and travel. A few highlights in issue #14:
- McKinsey & Co. global economic conditions snapshot
- New Stat Augurs Well for Covid Recovery: Gross output measures business confidence better than GDP
- View and download our latest quarterly GlobalVue™ country ranking chart at our EGS website: https://bit.ly/3nl6Ksm
- The Future of Supply Chain Automation – an infographic that shows how supply chain management is changing
- How South Korea Successfully Managed Coronavirus
- Argentina, Colombia and Peru begin to open for international travel
We 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 team 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.
Countries and regions reported on in this issue include: Africa, Latin America, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Mainland China, India, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the USA.
This issue’s chart is from the September 2020 McKinsey & Co. Economic Conditions Snapshot
“New Stat Augurs Well for Covid Recovery: Gross output measures business confidence better than GDP. It’s fallen less than in past recessions. For the first time, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released the “top line” gross output, or GO, at the same time as it published the “bottom line” gross domestic product. And the GO data brought a welcome surprise: It shows the economy is much more resilient than it looked. Steve Forbes offers a useful metaphor: ‘GDP is like an X-ray of the economy; GO is like a CAT-scan.’ GO reveals a deeper level of economic activity and is therefore helpful in predicting the direction of growth, not only its current state.”, The Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2020
“America and Singapore are tops in 2020 for global digital competitiveness: The US held onto its top spot in a global ranking of digital competitiveness thanks to access to capital and an emphasis on robotics. Singapore also stayed in the No. 2 spot on the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR) for 2020. The country earned more No. 1 rankings than the US in the rankings on individual criteria. The WDCR measures the capacity and readiness of 63 economies to adopt digital technologies for economic and social transformation. This year’s Top 10 list looks very similar to last year’s: United States of America, Singapore, Denmark, Sweden, Hong Kong SAR, Switzerland, Netherlands, South Korea, Norway and Finland. The UK came in at No. 13 overall and its scores on the individual criteria have held steady over the years. Australia is in the No. 15 spot with technology scoring highest among the three criteria.”, Tech Republic, October 2, 2020
“East Asia: Containment and Recovery: The coronavirus has shied away from no corner of the globe, but some countries have weathered the storm far better than others – and have much more cause for economic optimism going forward. The intensity of the economic fallout from one country to the next has hinged on a mind-boggling array of interlocking factors. As countries in East Asia, in particular, increasingly shift focus from containment of the pandemic to economic recovery, their success will hinge on other factors. According to the World Bank’s latest forecast for the region, these include government capacity to open up the stimulus spigots, its ability to phase out of shutdowns without allowing the virus to become uncontrollable again, and the depth of the hole they’re trying to climb out of.”, Geopolitical Futures, October 3, 2020
International Travel Updates
“United Resumes Nonstop Service to Shanghai: In an important ramp up following Chinese market recovery, United Airlines yesterday announced it will start a four-times-weekly nonstop service to China between San Francisco International Airport and Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport.”, Airline Geeks, October 5, 2020
“’Close to 100% accuracy’: Helsinki airport uses sniffer dogs to detect Covid: Researchers running Helsinki pilot scheme say dogs can identify virus in seconds. Four Covid-19 sniffer dogs have begun work at Helsinki airport in a state-funded pilot scheme that Finnish researchers hope will provide a cheap, fast and effective alternative method of testing people for the virus. A dog is capable of detecting the presence of the coronavirus within 10 seconds and the entire process takes less than a minute to complete, according to Anna Hielm-Björkman of the University of Helsinki, who is overseeing the trial. ‘It’s very promising,’ said Hielm-Björkman. ‘If it works, it could prove a good screening method in other places’ such as hospitals, care homes and at sporting and cultural events.”, The Guardian, September 24, 2020
“Returning to New York from an international destination? You’ll likely have to quarantine: (New York Governor) Cuomo signed an executive order Monday re-enforcing mandatory quarantine requirements for international travelers returning to New York from countries marked Level 2 and Level 3 on the State Department’s travel advisories list.”, The Points Guy, October 3, 2020
“Air Canada Airport COVID-19 Testing Trial Shows Promising Results: In September Air Canada partnered with a Canadian lab and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority to test arriving passengers for COVID-19 using a polymerase chain reaction test at Toronto’s Pearson Airport directly upon their arrival and then two tests that would be self-collected at seven days after arrival and at 14 days after arrival.”, Airline Geeks, October 4, 2020
“US travelers still cannot visit most European Union member countries: “Back in March, the European Commission introduced travel restrictions that lasted until this summer until the Union authorized a list of 14 countries that were exempt. The Commission continues to periodically update this list,” Caroline Rose, Middle East and Europe analyst for the forecasting firm Geopolitical Futures, told the Washington Examiner. The latest update on the EU’s Re-open EU website added Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, and even China (“subject to confirmation of reciprocity”) to the list of nations in which its citizens are allowed to visit EU countries. ‘So far, the U.S. has been excluded,’ Rose said. And while the list of excluded and allowed nations is not technically ‘legally binding’ on individual EU nations, “Brussels has applied a lot of political pressure for its members not to act independently of the travel ban and welcome unlisted nationals.” She doesn’t see most EU countries ‘giving U.S. nationals the greenlight anytime soon.’”, The Washington Examiner, September 17, 2020
“3 more major cruise lines cancel sailings until at least December: You’ll now have to wait until at least December to take a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The parent company of the three brands, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, on Monday said it would extend its halt to cruise operations through at least Nov. 30. Until today, the company only had canceled sailings through the end of October. The Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announcement comes just four days after one of the line’s biggest rivals, cruise giant Carnival, canceled most departures through January. Carnival still hopes to operate some sailings in November and December out of just two ports: Port Miami and Port Canaveral. Two other major brands, Princess Cruises and Holland America, already have canceled all or most sailings through Dec. 15.”, The Points Guy, October 5, 2020
“Delta Air Lines Returns to Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala: Delta Air Lines (DL) has made a significant restart in Latin America with flights resuming into Colombia, El Salvador and Guatemala. Non-stop flights between Atlanta (ATL) and Bogota (BOG) began today, which will operate on a four times per week basis before going daily on November 1.”, Airways Magazine, October 2, 2020
“Peru To Resume International Flights This Month: After a seven-month suspension, Peru is reopening its skies to commercial flight operations in October. The country’s international trade and tourism minister, Rocio Barrios, announced that international travel will resume on Oct. 5, reinstating commercial connectivity with other Latin American countries first.”, Airline Geeks, October 2, 2020
New Zealand, Australia loosen travel restrictions: Flights between these close by countries have started to go on sale. Airways Magazine, October 3, 2020
“Germany lifts warning against travel to all non-EU countries: Germany lifted its blanket warning against travelling to all countries outside the EU, although little is likely to change for most travellers. The foreign ministry extended a warning for parts of Belgium to the entire country, and warned against travel to Wales and Northern Ireland.”, The Sunday Times of London, October 2, 2020
“Disney’s Hawaii resort to start phased reopening in November: Disney’s Aulani resort and spa in Hawaii will begin a phased reopening in November, following the governor’s announcement that out-of-state travelers will soon be able to bypass two weeks of quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19 prior to arrival.”, Fox Business, September 25, 2020
“Sea changes: A preview of the new COVID-related cruise restrictions: Health experts advising some of the world’s biggest cruise brands on how to restart cruising unveiled recommendations this week that included a call to significantly restrict passenger movements during port stops.”, The Points Guy, September 27, 2020
“Argentina to Resume Flight Operations from Mid-October: The Argentinian Minister of Transport, Mario Meoni, confirmed on Thursday that in mid-October commercial flights will return and anticipated that the Government is ‘working to resolve as soon as possible’ the normalization of activity.”, Airline Geeks, October 4, 2020
“Colombia Resumes 63 Routes As Part of Plan to Reinstate Connectivity: Throughout September, Colombia has resumed commercial airline operations. Domestic flights were allowed back to the skies on Sept. 1 and international fights restarted on Sept. 19. As the country continues to reopen its skies, Colombia announced it will be reopening 63 domestic routes from major cities such as Bogotá, Medellin, Cali and Cartagena, according to Latin American portal Aviaciónline.”, Airline Geeks, September 23, 2020
Africa
“Optimism Around Africa’s Business Potential: Over the past two decades, Africa has been home to the fastest-growing economies in the world and is ripe for global and local business investment. In his new book, Unlocking Africa’s Business Potential: Trends, Opportunities, Risks, and Strategies, Thunderbird professor, Landry Signé shares his optimism for sustained growth in Africa as he examines economic, business and investment issues and discusses the growth trends and drivers. ‘By 2030, Africa will have 1.7 billion people and a combined consumer and business spending of $6.7 trillion.” ~ Thunderbird professor Landry Signé, Thunderbird School of Global Management, October 1, 2020
Latin America
“Major Country Developments – Mexico, Central America, Caribbean: The slump in travel caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the tourism sector hard in several Central American and Caribbean countries. A slump in remittances [by immigrants working and sending money back home to support families and small businesses], has also negatively impacted some countries, but in many cases observers are baffled by the strong inflows that have resumed, sometimes at record levels.”, Meridian Finance Group, September 22, 2020
Australia
“Australia’s Victoria state to ease COVID-19 restrictions as cases slow: Victoria, Australia’s second most populous state and the epicentre of the country’s COVID-19 outbreak, will accelerate the easing of social distancing restrictions as infections slow to fewer than 20 cases a day, its premier said on Sunday.”, September 26, 2020
“Commercial Tenancy Rent relief Scheme Extended: In response to the continuing impacts of COVID-19 on the Victorian economy, the State Government recently passed the COVID-19 Commercial and Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment (Extensions) Act 2020 (Vic) (the Act). This extends the Commercial Tenancy Rent Relief Scheme introduced earlier this year, and introduces several changes aiming to assist both commercial tenants and landlords through financial hardship. For eligible leases, the prohibition on eviction for non-payment of rent and prohibition on rent increase is extended until 31 December 2020. Eviction for breaches not related to payment, such as property damage, is still allowed. Eligible leases are currently those by small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with an annual aggregate turnover under $50 million who have suffered at least a 30% reduction in turnover since March 29 2020. However, the Act allows for eligibility requirements to be adjusted in the future.”, MST Lawyers, September 30, 2020
“Mexican chain moves closer to IPO: Australian-based Mexican food chain Guzman Y Gomez has moved a step closer to listing on the stock exchange by converting from a proprietary company to an unlisted public company, according to a media report. The 140-store chain has achieved accumulated sales of $1 billion and operates in Australia, Singapore and the United States. It’s drive-through stores in Australia have achieved sales increases of 50-100% during the pandemic, according to the report.”, Australia Financial Review, September 23, 2020
“A quarter of workplaces saw productivity improve during COVID-19. The same number saw a drop: As millions of employees worked from home during the coronavirus pandemic, sparking a surge in the adoption of new technologies, one-in-four Australian businesses reported productivity had fallen, while the same number said productivity had improved. Australian companies have, on average, increased their adoption of some key digital technologies during the COVID-19 period by as much as the previous 10 years, a study by consultancy AlphaBeta, a part of Accenture, shows…But the effects on business efficiency from having large numbers of employees working from home have been mixed, with as many firms experiencing a fall in productivity during the pandemic as had a rise.”, Brisbane Times, September 24, 2020, compliments of Jason Gehrke, Managing Director, The Franchise Advisory Centre, Brisbane
Belarus
“Texas Chicken® opens a QSR restaurant at the Dana Mall in Minsk, Belarus! Congratulations to the team for persevering with this location through a very eventful summer in Belarus. (This is Church’s Chicken® in the USA).”, Yang Ming Ong, Texas Chicken Business, October 1, 2020.
Brazil
“Venture Capital Investments Reach New High In Brazil: A total of US$ 843 million has been invested in Brazilian startups throughout September 2020 in what has been the busiest month ever for the segment, according to a new survey. In terms of invested volume, last month has seen a 65% increase in relation to September 2019, when total investments reached US$ 510 million, according to the research, carried out by Distrito Dataminer, market intelligence arm of Brazilian open innovation company Distrito. This is also a 796% increase compared with September 2018, when startups raised US$ 94 million.”, Forbes, October 3, 2020
“Brazil’s IPO market on track for biggest year since 2007: Companies take advantage of higher valuations after retail investors head into stocks. The market for initial public offerings in Brazil is on track for its biggest year since 2007, fuelled by a recovery in asset prices and a surging number of everyday investors buying into stocks. Seventeen groups have already debuted in Brazil this year and almost 40 more are in the pipeline as companies — and the banks marketing them — work flat out in a year truncated by the coronavirus crisis.”, The Financial Times, September 27, 2020
Mainland China
“Millions Fly With China’s Airlines as Pandemic Drags Down Competitors: The world’s harried airline bosses will look enviously to China this week as millions of people take to the skies for national holidays, helping Chinese carriers push even further ahead in their recovery from the pandemic. The holiday starts with the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Thursday and runs to Oct. 8. The so-called Golden Week is typically a time for families to reunite and will add momentum to a domestic rebound that’s lifting air travel within China back toward normal levels. More than 15 million people are due to fly over the period, a 10% increase from last year, according to Lan Xiang, head of the research division at online travel agent Qunar.”, Bloomberg and Caixing Global, October 1, 2020
“Disneyland Shanghai Hotel Prices Rocket to Over (US)$1,000 a Night: With China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays fast approaching, the room rates of Shanghai Disneyland Hotel have soared to 7,000 yuan ($1,028) per night, when they cost around 3,000 yuan on “regular” days. According to Caijing, a reporter checked prices for a stay from Oct. 2 to Oct. 3 online yesterday (Sept. 29) and found the price of a “Deluxe Park View room” for one night was 7,753 yuan. The “Official Direct Sales” price of 5,479 yuan was already ‘fully booked.’ Today, the Shanghai Disney Resort’s official website showed that all room types on Oct. 2 are now marked ‘unavailable’. The average price for hotel reservations during the National Holidays is nearly 20% higher than last year. During the National Day, hotel reservations exceeded the same period last year by 30%.”, Caixing Global, September 30, 2020
“McDonald’s China 2020 changes: The major shareholder (to make) over 100 million investment in young talent training. Economic Observer Network reporter Chen Yifan (stated) “Our vision of reaching 4,500 stores by 2020 remains unchanged. In terms of restaurant portfolio, the goal is to open restaurants in third- and fourth-tier cities, hoping to accelerate the speed and layout of the sinking market.’ September On the 22nd, at the Fifth McDonald’s China ‘McDonald’s Feast’, Zhang Jiayin, CEO of McDonald’s China, said in an interview with media including reporters from Economic Observer. On the same day, McDonald’s China announced the “Unlimited Youth” talent training plan. The plan proposes to invest more than 100 million yuan from 2020 to 2022, and join hands with more than 100 vocational colleges across the country. “The school-running model has helped more than 10,000 young people improve their employability and support them to smoothly embark on a career development path after graduation. EEO.com.cn, translation provided courtesy of Paul Jones, Jones & Co., Toronto
India
“India Saw 250% Growth In Shopping App Installs Amid Pandemic, Reveals Report: The State of Shopping App Marketing 2020 report by AppsFlyer, a mobile marketing analytics and attribution platform, notes that India witnessed a 250% spike in non-organic shopping app installs as the country began lifting Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in May. This shows that even when given the option of physically visiting the store, Indians preferred to shop online.”, Inc42.com, September 24, 2020
“India’s new paper Covid-19 test could be a ‘game changer’: A team of scientists in India has developed an inexpensive paper-based test for coronavirus that could give fast results similar to a pregnancy test….The test, named after a famous Indian fictional detective, is based on a gene-editing technology called Crispr. Scientists estimate that the kit – called Feluda – would return results in under an hour and cost 500 rupees (about $6.75; £5.25).”, BBC News, October 4, 2020
South Korea
“How South Korea Successfully Managed Coronavirus: The country has blended technology and testing like no other. South Korea appears to have cracked the code for managing the coronavirus. Its solution is straightforward, flexible and relatively easy to replicate. The country has averaged about 77 new daily cases since early April and recently suppressed a spike in infections. Adjusting for population, that would be the equivalent of about 480 cases a day in the U.S., where new daily cases have averaged about 38,000 over the same period.”, The Wall Street Journal, September 25, 2020
Japan
“Japan to remove travel ban for ten countries starting in October: Japan plans to remove a ban on overseas travels for about 10 countries starting next month, hoping that such a step would prompt other countries to lift travel curbs on the Japanese, the Nikkei business daily reported on Monday.”, Reuters and Nikkei, September 28, 2020
Singapore
“Singapore planning ‘cruises to nowhere’ to entice tourists: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced its plans to allow cruise lines to embark on “cruises to nowhere,” as reported by The Straits Times. With many international cruise lines banned from docking in Singapore since March due to the coronavirus, the new plans would allow 50% of the original passenger intake. It comes just days after Singapore Airlines canceled its proposed “flight to nowhere” sightseeing tours following criticism. Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.”, The Insider, October 4, 2020
United Kingdom
“The recovery in the manufacturing sector continued last month, with output and new orders increasing. The Markit/CIPS manufacturing PMI fell to 54.1 in September, from 55.2 in August, slightly below the flash estimate of 54.3. Three fifths of manufacturers expected output to rise over the coming year. Samuel Tombs, an economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, thinks the sector will register robust growth in the coming months as EU customers stockpile goods to avoid being hit by tariffs in January. Unemployment remains an issue. Manufacturers continued to cut jobs for the eighth month in a row, although at the lowest rate since February. Changes to job support schemes and the reintroduction of some coronavirus restrictions have increased concerns about a rise in unemployment.”, The Times of London, October 1, 2020
“A pool, free wi-fi and no kids: it’s great to be WFH (working from hotel): If the office is still off-limits and the novelty of home working is wearing a little thin, help is at hand. Hundreds of hotels are offering bedrooms as daytime offices, catering for workers tired of being confined to the kitchen table. The catch is that you must leave by teatime, with checkout typically from 4pm to 6pm. Desk space is being offered in hotels from city centres to coastal villages, at costs ranging from £35 to £1,500. Guests can often use the gym and pool, with some hotels even offering free printing and hot drinks. Hoteliers say the offer is popular with workers seeking peace and quiet after a tumultuous few months, along with fast wi-fi and a touch of luxury.”, The Sunday Times Of London, October 4, 2020
“Studying abroad: Britain’s new student visas: Boris Johnson’s government will today launch a new visa for foreign students coming to study at British universities. The revamp is part of a broader overhaul of Britain’s immigration laws after Brexit. The new student visa has premiered before most other changes in order to entice international students to take up places at British universities in spite of the pandemic. Universities had feared losing them and their lucrative tuition fees entirely, thus blowing a serious hole in their finances. The government hopes that rolling out the new visa—which includes a period of two years to find a job after graduation, instead of three months under the old system—will dissuade students from staying closer to home. But universities may have helped to sort out the problem themselves. Increased recruiting efforts abroad, and a lack of palatable alternatives, have led to a 9% increase in international undergraduate enrolments this autumn.”, The Economist Expresso, October 5, 2020
United States
“There’s Less Than 1% Chance of Catching Covid-19 Flying, Says Airline Exec: Four major U.S. airlines share thoughts on blocked middle seats, the future of business travel, and the issues that’ll affect flying beyond the pandemic.”, Bloomberg, September 27, 2020
“Hotel jobs coming back in a handful of large U.S. metro areas: The hard-hit hospitality industry is starting to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic — at least in a few U.S. cities. August employment in the accommodations sector in five metro areas climbed back to at least 80 per cent of where it stood a year earlier, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data analyzed by Bloomberg News. This compares with about 60 per cent for the nation as a whole.”, BNN Bloomberg (Canada), October 1, 2020
“PepsiCo says it will meet 2020 revenue targets after all: Group benefits from rebound in drinks sales and people who work from home munching on snacks. PepsiCo is on track to deliver about the same full-year revenues that it had expected before coronavirus shut down much of the world economy, helped by a recent recovery in sales of its soft drinks in corner shops and petrol stations. The food and drinks company behind Doritos crisps, Tropicana juice and the eponymous fizzy beverage on Thursday reinstated annual revenue guidance that it had scrapped at the onset of the pandemic. It predicted full-year revenues would rise about 4 per cent from 2019 on an organic basis.”, The Financial Times, October 1, 2020
Vietnam
“One major Asian economy besides China is set for growth this year—and its GDP just rose 2.6%. Upticks in manufacturing and exports helped Vietnam’s gross domestic product rise 2.62% year over year in the third quarter, accelerating the country’s economic recovery from a slowdown in the first half of 2020 that was caused by the pandemic. Exports jumped 11% in the third quarter, thanks in large part to a 20% increase in exports of personal computers to meet a growing demand as students worldwide attend online classes and large parts of the global workforce continue to work from home. In September alone, exports jumped 18% compared to the same period last year. ‘Along with China, [Vietnam] is the only major Asian economy expected to register positive growth in 2020,’ said Priyanka Kishore, head of India and South East Asia for Oxford Economics.”, Fortune Magazine, September 29, 2020
Brand News
“What a month of September we and our international franchisees have had around the world in the CKE system! We started on the 3rd of September opening our 13th Carl’s Jr. in Chile, followed three days later with our 21st Hardee’s in Qatar, continued three days after that with our 2nd Carl’s Jr. in France, turned around and opened our 19th Carl’s Jr. in Turkey the very next day and then about week later we opened our 19th in Spain – right next to Real Madrid’s stadium, Santiago Bernabéu… then two new Hardee’s opened, in Pakistan and the UAE, followed this week by Carl’s Jr. openings in Thailand and Panama! Talk about a global company – eight countries on four continents! If you’re interested in hearing about our open territories and these two iconic brands.”,
Marc Muskin, CKE Restaurants LinkedIn posting.
“FASTSIGNS CEO steers the proverbial ship through stormy seas: Catherine Monson is recognized again this year by Franchise Dictionary Magazine as one of the WOW: 50 Women Of Wonder and she graces our cover for excellent reasons. Under her leadership as CEO of FASTSIGNS since 2009, the brand has become one of the country’s largest franchise companies. It has benefited significantly from Monson’s strategic positioning and her franchising and broad business and marketing experience. Since February, Monson has also served as International Franchise Association (IFA) chair. In her role with the IFA, she works to further its mission of protecting and promoting franchising through government relations, public relations, and educational programs.”, FranchiseDictionary, October 2, 2020
Russo’s New York Pizzeria expands in the Middle East with its 8th restaurant opening in Dubai. 8 more outlets planned to open in 2021 with it international franchise partner, Prime Hospitality.
“Restaurateur and Loving It! His drive-thrus report record sales during Covid: Dennis Ekstrom has been in the restaurant business for nearly 50 years, 30 of them in franchising. At one time he was part of QK Holdings, where he served as COO of the largest Denny’s franchise group in the country with 94 locations. Today he is the CEO and president of Diamondback LLC, a Del Taco multi-unit operator in New Mexico. ‘The restaurant industry is a fast-paced, invigorating field that I never left,’ says the 65-year-old today. His experience and success have led him to rule the Del Taco market in New Mexico where his 11 locations rank in the top tier of the brand’s comp growth. The drive-thru lanes at Ekstrom’s Del Tacos were paved with gold this past spring as Covid-19 ravaged the country’s restaurant landscape. He says 90 percent of his sales during the pandemic have come from the drive-thru. ‘Right now, our sales are the highest they’ve been in months, and in some cases ever,’ he says.”, Franchising.com, October 4, 2020
“Ranked: The 50 Most Popular Fast Food Chains in America: Millions of Americans eat at fast food restaurants every day—and they now have more options at their disposal than ever before. From burgers to pad thai, there’s a quick service restaurant that’ll satisfy almost any appetite. With all this choice, which fast food chains are the most popular among consumers? Using data from QSR Magazine, (the infographic at this link) ranks the top 50 largest fast food chains in the U.S. by sales in 2019, providing insight into the types of foods Americans have been craving.”, Visual Capitalist, September 28, 2020
Articles And Charts About Doing Business in The Times Of COVID-19 and Beyond
“What 800 (global) executives envision for the postpandemic workforce: Responses to a McKinsey global survey of 800 executives suggest a disruptive period of workplace changes lies ahead due to acceleration of automation, digitization, and other trends. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption to our working lives in the short term, and is likely to change the way that we work in the long term. To understand these changes, McKinsey commissioned a survey of business executives around the world in June 2020. The results suggest that the crisis may accelerate some workforce trends already underway, such as the adoption of automation and digitization, increased demand for contractors and gig workers, and more remote work. Those changes in turn will create greater demand for workers to fill jobs in areas like health and hygiene, cybersecurity, and data analytics.”, McKinsey & Co., September 23, 2020
“New Consumer Research on the Increasing Importance of Digital & How the Holiday Shopping Season Is Shaping Up: To help retail brands understand consumer expectations and prepare for the upcoming holiday shopping season, Service Management Group (SMG) collected feedback from nearly 10,000 consumer respondents. Here are three key themes that emerged from the research: 1) Financial concerns are looming; 2) Value will be key this shopping season; 3) Holiday shopping will start early and be dominated by digital.”, Franchising.com, October 2, 2020
“The Future of Supply Chain Automation: As Amazon continues to set the bar for efficiency by integrating an astounding spectrum of automation technology, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that traditional supply chain models are ripe for disruption. For this reason, companies around the world are now rethinking their warehouse and distribution systems, with automation taking center stage.”, The infographic at this link from Raconteur highlights the state of automation across global supply chains, while also providing an outlook for future investment, Visual Capitalist
Who We Are And What We Do
Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS) provides a complete International solution for U.S. businesses Going Global. From initial global market research and country prioritization, to developing new international markets and providing operational support 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.
Founded in 2001, Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS) takes U.S. businesses global and currently has activity in 25 countries. Our Clients are all consumer-faced brands. Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS) has twice received the U.S. President’s Award for Export Excellence
Find out more about the services we provide U.S. companies Going Global at: www.edwardsglobal.com
William 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.
For global cross-business sectoral updates and advice on taking your business global, contact Mr. Edwards at bedwards@edwardsglobal.com or +1 949 224 3896.
