According to Retail Leaders and Analysts

The coronavirus pandemic has unleashed a new era of change for retailers across the board. Supply chains encountered widespread disruptions, digital channels have radically accelerated and a shift in consumer demand has led to the adoption of new technologies.

As we usher in the next year, a number of influencers — from C-suite executives to investors and analysts — are sharing their predictions for the retail industry, from current trends to long-term implications. Here, FN presents four key insights from some of the sector’s top thought leaders and members of Berns Communications Group’s Retail Influencer Network.

Dressing up will make a comeback.

In 2020, active and casual wear emerged as the work-from-home attire of choice. However, experts predict that the future of workwear will not be defined by lightweight leggings and shearling slippers.

According to First Insight CEO Greg Petro, employees will still prefer to work remotely amid the health crisis, but they’ll likely want to dress up and go back to the office on occasion.

What’s more, the continued rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has led to the optimism of a return to some type of normalcy. As a result, Threadstone Advisors managing director William Susman predicted a boost in the sales of dress apparel as spending shifts away from categories like home goods and outdoor accessories to activities like parties and get-togethers or traveling.

Small is the new big.

Despite the rise of e-commerce, brick-and-mortar will survive. However, experts have pointed out that retailers will focus more on localized assortments and stores with smaller footprints as consumer shopping habits continue to change.

Sandra Campos, CEO of Project Verte and former CEO of Diane von Furstenberg, noted that companies will create micro-fulfillment centers in cities and malls to meet online shoppers’ delivery and pick-up demands.

In addition, Retail Minded founder Nicole Reyhle said that more consumers will choose to shop from local small businesses, which are increasingly embracing innovations that their big-name counterparts had the resources to adopt earlier in the year.

Shoppers want more than just discounts.

Amid a surge in the outbreak, many nonessential retailers across the country have been forced to temporarily shutter their locations once again, while health authorities have advised Americans against congregating in stores during the holiday season.

But once shelter-in-place orders are lifted and shops open back up, Trove founder and CEO Andy Ruben predicted an “all-out battle for foot traffic.” Retailers and brands, he explained, will be judged by the early traffic and sales numbers they generate — similar to how Black Friday results are viewed as a gauge of success during the fourth quarter. However, he said that it will take more than just promotions and markdowns to lure in customers. Brands must consider offering special incentives like gift cards in exchange for resale trade-ins and rewards through loyalty programs.

Omnichannel is still king.

For years, omnichannel has been among retail’s biggest buzzwords, but the pandemic has imposed new challenges to integrating the online and offline shopping ecosystem.

Retail Technology magazine publisher Miya Knights noted that mobile will be the ultimate battleground, accounting for 45% of all e-commerce sales next year. She added that apps, which deliver higher engagement and conversion, currently offer a more intuitive and feature-rich customer experience that can be merged with the sensory advantages of the in-store experience.

Moreover, said PredictSpring founder and CEO Nitin Mangtani, curbside pickup and ship-from-store services will exceed orders fulfilled from warehouses in major metropolitan areas, as brands create more smaller-format fulfillment centers.

Plus, more brand manufacturers are expected to sell directly to consumers as the so-called MTC trend gains traction, explained Forrester Research principal analyst Sucharita Kodali.

TikTok, the raging social media platform, has been around since 2018 but is gaining mainstream traction fast. Everyone from celebrities to teens to cool grandmas is on TikTok – but just how much can entrepreneurs get from using TikTok for business? On the surface, the platform seems like a place for funny lip-sync videos, not a place to showcase products and services. However, there’s much potential for small businesses to use TikTok and reach their audience in a fun and creative way.

What is TikTok and why should you care?

TikTok bills itself as the place for short mobile videos. Imagine an Instagram for videos or a short-form YouTube, but with a lot of cool new features. Videos on TikTok can be anywhere from five seconds to sixty seconds long. You can easily add in eye-catching filters and special effects. TikTok also has a huge music library you can access to add songs to your videos.

TikTok’s algorithm uses AI to provide users with recommendations on which videos they should watch based on their past viewings. The algorithm makes it easy for users to discover new content, and this also makes it easy to create viral sensations.

The app is growing in spades and is currently the sixth-largest social network. Here are a few more astonishing numbers that might just convince you to try TikTok for business:

• The app has been downloaded more than 1.65 billion times
• In 2019, it was the second-most downloaded app (only beat by Whatsapp)
• The average user opens up the app more than 8 times a day
• TikTok’s largest demographic is 18-24 year-olds, followed by 13-17 year-olds
• Around 60 % of TikTok users are female, while about 40 % are male.

Understand The Platform

If you’re considering using TikTok as a small business marketing tool, start by creating a small business account and explore the platform. This isn’t the kind of place where you should make hard sells for your tech software. That kind of promotion isn’t going to get very far on TikTok. That’s why it’s best to first look around and see what other brands are doing. You’ll also want to make sure your audience is on TikTok before you go any further.

When you’re exploring the platform, here are a few things for you to try:

• Watch videos: Open up the app, and you’ll automatically see a feed with tons of different silly videos. Click around and watch a couple to get a feel for the platform.
• Create your own videos: You’re not aiming for professional videographer quality. Most of the videos posted on TikTok are created by the users themselves. Start recording with your phone, add in filters, use cool effects like face zoom, sprinkle in stickers, and so much more.
• Add in music: TikTok is integrated with Apple Music, so you can add songs to your videos, remix them, and add effects.
• Follow accounts you like: Look for other competitive businesses on TikTok and like their accounts so you can follow them and see what kind of content they post. Also, be sure to follow industry giants and check out their marketing campaigns.
• Buy virtual coins: TikTok enables users to buy virtual coins with real cash. You can then use these to give others virtual gifts.

TikTok for Business: Try Different Kinds of Content

Once you’ve researched your competitors and know your audience is on TikTok, it’s time to create content for your business. While you can certainly do a funny lip-sync video, there are many other options you should use to promote your business:

• Introduce yourself and your team with a fun theme song that captures the essence of your business.
• Give followers a cheeky tour of your workplace so they can see where the magic happens.
• TikTok is a great place to share inspirational stories. Do you have a success story about how you started your business? 
• Instead of telling people about how great your product or service is, see if valued customers would like to share a few words about it on video.
• Does your business have a unique name? Create a video explaining why you chose that name and the story behind it.
• Lots of small businesses have pets running around. TikTok users love cute animal videos.
• Does your business donate time, money, or products to your community? Share that and why it’s important for your business.
• How’s your product made? Show users the step-by-step process. Time-lapse videos are highly popular on TikTok.
• Want to inspire others to start their own business? Provide tutorials on how to do that.

There are so many different ways to share information about your business on TikTok. The thing to remember is that TikTok users like fun and creative videos. They don’t want to see a talking head explaining how to use a product or why your product is the best. They want to see an engaging story about a product with some catchy music in the background.

Use The Right Hashtags

If you want to get your content discovered, you need to do some hashtag research. What kind of hashtags are trending, what does your target audience click on, and which hashtags relate to your business? You can’t just use any hashtags because it’s popular – hashtags actually have to do with your video. Otherwise, users who click on it will be disappointed and not want to return to your account again.

Whenever you post a video on TikTok, be sure to add hashtags that are relevant and popular. Keep in mind that TikTok is mostly for amusement – not a hard sell. They’re searching for fun content that will entertain them. Use hashtags strategically to get your audience’s attention. Here are some of the most popular hashtags on TikTok.

Curate User-generated Content

While creating your own videos is a good way to promote your business and bring brand awareness on TikTok, you can also tap into your customers’ content. This is where hashtags come in again. Create a hashtag for your business and ask your customers to use it whenever they post something on TikTok about your products. You could also run a paid hashtag challenge (more on that below!)

This way, prospects learn about your company through the best marketing vehicle: word of mouth. For example: let’s say a prospect sees a TikTok video where a user wears your designer dress; they’ll want to follow your business’ hashtag to learn more about those dresses. This could eventually lead to them purchasing through your website – all because of a TikTok video. 

Don’t have a website yet? Check out our shared hosting service, we have a Done-For-You Option that will get your website up and running in no time!

TikTok for Business: Discover the Platform’s Ads

Like other social media networks, businesses can now advertise on TikTok. That’s an excellent way to get your brand seen by new users and prospects. There are four main ways your business can advertise on TikTok:

• Brand takeover: When a user opens up TikTok, they see the brand takeover ad before any other user content. You can link the ad to a landing page if you’re making an exclusive offer for TikTok.
• Native ad: This is a kind of ad that plays in between user content. Remember that users can easily skip this type of ad by just scrolling past it.
• Sponsored hashtag challenge: Businesses can sponsor a specific hashtag challenge and advertise on the Discover page. This is a great way to get more engagement for your brand and hashtags.
• Branded lens: This is a type of filter your business designs for users to add to their videos. It’s best to pick something related to your business and that resonates with your target audience. 

Start with TikTok for Small Businesses

TikTok for Small Business is a great way to get your brand discovered by new prospects. Users on TikTok are highly engaged, love sharing content, and open up TikTok multiple times a day. Small businesses can show off their creative side, add humor to their posts, and find music that resonates with their target audience. Remember, this platform is about fun and creativity, not serious high-pressure sales.

TikTok for Small Business helps you set up ads, present your brand to the right people, and provides tips for engagement and to increase your follower count. Be sure to check out the Business Learning Center to get your questions answered and learn how to shine on the platform. TikTok is growing daily, so don’t wait to join your audience and show off your fun-loving side. 

Does the hottest new social media platform TikTok confuse you? To some, it probably seems like just a lip-syncing video app for teens, but it’s much more than that. 

If you use TikTok just right, you can introduce your business or product to a huge audience. Of course, TikTok isn’t the right platform for all types of businesses. Here’s how you can determine if it’s right for you.

Study the platform.

The last thing you want to do is join a social media platform and look like you don’t know what you’re doing. To avoid getting shunned by users on TikTok, you need to study the platform. By studying what type of content works on TikTok and how to interact with others on the platform, your business can fit into the culture naturally. 

TikTok is all about fun and visually appealing content. If you take a look at the TikTok trending page, you’ll find tons of silly videos set to hit songs. 

The app isn’t the place for serious sit-down sales pitches. TikTok is used primarily by people between the ages of 16 and 24, so you need to connect with them creatively if you want to find success on the platform. 

Create fun content.

Now that you know TikTok is all about fun and creativity, it’s time to create fun, creative content of your own. Creating your own content is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to promote your business on TikTok. Plus, one of the biggest benefits of TikTok is that you don’t need to create highly-polished videos. Just pull out your smartphone and start filming. 

While wacky videos are widely popular on TikTok, don’t try to create an outrageous meme if that’s not your business’ style though. Keep it simple. A light-hearted video that shows off your products will come across as more authentic than if your business tries creating a viral meme and fails. 

Launch a hashtag challenge. 

Another way to promote your business on TikTok is by launching a hashtag challenge. A hashtag challenge is when you encourage TikTok users to create or recreate content and add your branded hashtag to it. 

For example, the brand Guess was one of the first companies to launch a hashtag challenge. They encouraged TikTok users to film themselves wearing Guess’ new denim line with the hashtag #InMyDenim. 

And recently, as stated in this Mobile Marketer article, Chipotle’s #GuacDance campaign was TikTok’s highest-performing branded challenge in the U.S. The promotion resulted in Chipotle’s biggest guacamole day ever, with more than 800,000 sides of the condiment served.

A fun hashtag challenge not only promotes your business but also drives user interaction and engagement. 

Work with TikTok influencers. 

TikTok-specific influencers might not be huge yet, but they will be and you can work with them to widen your reach on the platform. Generation Z is typically opposed to anything that looks like a traditional ad. So, working with TikTok influencers can really help you make a connection with that generation of users. 

Speaking of Chipotle again, they partnered with influencer David Dobrik for a paid marketing campaign for the #ChipotleLidFlip challenge and got more than 100,000 submissions and 230 million views. 

To get results from TikTok influencer marketing, just make sure the influencer’s audience matches your target audience. To find the right influencer for your business, you can look for online tools that let you search bios on TikTok, look for mentions of other brands, the most popular languages used in an influencer audience, and more. 

Take advantage of TikTok advertising. 

It took a while but TikTok has finally introduced ads to their platform. TikTok offers four different types of ads including:

• Infeed Native Content: This type of ad is similar to Snapchat or Instagram story ads and supports multiple features like website clicks or app downloads. 
• Brand Takeovers: This lets brands take over TikTok for the day. They can create images, GIFs, and videos with embedded links to landing pages or hashtag challenges. 
• Hashtag Challenges: Instead of trying to make a hashtag challenge go viral on your own, you can use promoted hashtags to get more engagement. 
• Branded Lenses: Branded lenses are like Snapchat’s 2D and 3D lenses for faces and photos. 

As with any social media platform, ads can help you reach a ton of users on the platform. TikTok also offers precise targeting so you can make sure your ads are reaching the exact users that would be interested in what you have to offer. 

Prices of shipping containers are on course to keep rising for the rest of the year amid strong global trade demand, according to analysts.

As of last week, the Drewry World Container Index, which provides weekly assessments of container freight rates, surged for the 19th consecutive week to US$9,817.72 per 40-foot container – a 351 percent increase versus the same week in 2020.

And the rising costs will be further exacerbated in the coming weeks by the recent temporary 

closure of a key terminal

 at China’s Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, the world’s biggest port in terms of cargo tonnage, according to Container xChange, an online platform for the leasing and trading of shipping containers.

Locked down on August 11 after a port worker tested positive for the Delta variant of the coronavirus, the Ningbo-Zhoushan terminal did not resume normal operations until August 25.

Container xChange projected that the Ningbo-Zhoushan situation, as well as productivity declines at ports in Vietnam due to recent outbreaks in the country, will further reduce container availability and push up prices in the South China Sea region in the near term.

  

The analysis is also based on observations made at Yantian Port in Shenzhen in southern China. A 

three-week lockdown

 therefrom May to June is still disrupting container availability and pushing up prices.

 

“We saw a real and measurable spike in container prices, and a major drop in container availability as measured by our Container Availability Index, when terminals at Yantian saw operations disrupted through most of June,” said Christian Roeloffs, co-founder of Container xChange.

As of last week, the average container prices at Yantian Port had surged almost 180 percent since June, to US$15,336, Container xChange’s figures showed.

“Early indicators suggest we are likely to see the same [prolonged] impact in Vietnam and at Ningbo,” Roeloffs said.

 

The closure of Meishan terminal and the surrounding areas has already caused a spike in container prices at Ningbo Port, where the average price for August reached US$5,731 last week, making containers at the port more expensive than at nearby Shanghai Port, as well as at Qingdao Port, another major port for foreign trade in northern China, Container xChange said.

 

The future trend of container prices looks to be determined by whether there are more port lockdowns, according to Johannes Schlingmeier, also a co-founder of Container xChange.

“Even if there are no additional closures, container prices will likely rise on lower availability in the coming weeks due to the lag between liner schedule disruption and container availability and pricing,” he said.

 

Due to the supply chain and logistics disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the imbalance of container distribution has been exacerbated in the past year between different markets. In major exporting countries in Asia, exporters are scrambling to find available containers to load goods, while in the United States, Europe, and Australia, empty containers are piling up at ports, delaying their return.

To combat the container shortage, Chinese authorities have coordinated with domestic container manufacturers to increase output, said Sun Wenjian, spokesman of the transport ministry during a press conference in July.

 

As the world’s largest container-producing country, China produces more than 96 per cent of the world’s dry cargo containers and 100 per cent of temperature-controlled refrigerated – or “reefer” – containers, according to Drewry’s data.

In the first six months of this year, China’s output of dry boxes climbed 235 per cent, year on year, to 3 million 20-foot equivalent units – the standard measure for freight container volume, known as TEU – while reefer-container production more than doubled to 260,000 TEU, according to a report published by Drewry in early August.

 

Capitalising on the high demand and surging prices, China International Marine Containers Group (CIMC), a major container manufacturer, reported a net profit of 4.39 billion yuan (US$678 million) in its container-manufacturing business in the first half of this year. This marked a massive 1,739 percent rise compared with the same period last year.

The company produced more than 1.1 million dry containers in the year’s first half, which was a 219.7 percent year-on-year growth.

 

It also manufactured 94,500 TEU of reefer containers in the first six months, marking a 76.3 percent year-on-year growth.

CIMC said the continued strong demand for containers, combined with the rising prices of raw materials, resulted in a substantial spike in the prices of new containers.

Prices of dry-freight shipping containers have doubled over the past year to reach historic highs, according to Drewry’s report.

At the higher production rates, however, industry insiders have expressed concerns about an oversupply of containers once the pandemic is over.

Drewry’s report said tight equipment availability is likely to persist at least into 2022.

“Pricing has been driven by soaring demand for newbuild containers as shipping lines and lessors have been seeking to rebuild fleets in the face of chronic equipment availability due to widening disruption across the container supply chain,” said John Fossey, head of container equipment and leasing research at Drewry.

“But also, increased input costs, particularly for [weathered] steel and flooring materials, have also played a part. We expect dry-box prices to peak in the third quarter and to soften thereafter, easing further over subsequent years as trade normalizes.”

But prices of specialist containers – including reefer containers and tank containers used to ship liquids, gases, and powders – are expected to continue rising, with prices moderating over the next few years.

“We expect reefer-container equipment availability to remain an issue for certain trades during their peak seasons, as the global fleet is not expected to keep pace with rising cargo demand, despite record output of newbuild containers,” said Philip Gray, head of reefer-shipping research at Drewry.

Blogging can be a marketing strategy, a revenue source, or a way to improve your personal brand. However you use it, you likely want to optimize your site’s impact and reach. These tips from members of the online small business marchendisers can help.

Help Other Bloggers to Help Yourself

Guest posting can be an effective way to bring more readers to your blog. But you need to really provide value to get people interested. 

Build Social Proof for Your Business Blog

Social proof is important to give legitimacy to all businesses — even blogs. So how can you build this added element of trust? 

Plan SEO Content That Actually Ranks

SEO is tough to predict. You can put lots of work into your site and blog and still not have them rank right away. But there are some things you can do to improve your chances.

Consider These Marketing Strategies

Blogging can be a marketing strategy for some businesses. But for others, it’s a pillar of the company itself. If that’s the case for your business, you need to actually market your blog. 

Use Data Driven Content for Link Building

Providing data-driven content to readers is a powerful way to add value. It can also help with link building. Learn more about this powerful strategy in you businesses.

Practice Proper Guest Blogging Etiquette

When posting on someone else’s blog, remember that you’re representing their brand as well as your own. That’s why etiquette is so important. 

Use These Powerful Blogging Tools

Running a blog is about more than just writing content. You need to curate ideas, optimize content, and market it to readers. So you may use some third party tools to increase your reach and impact.  Bolgger, WordPress, Tumblr.

Register a Domain and Update DNS

A domain is an essential element of any website – including blogs. It may not be the most exciting, bu this is a crucial step.

Improve Your Website with Video Content

Text isn’t the only way to add valuable content to your website. Video can also make a major impact. 

Use the Google My Business Website

Google is such a big part of the online experience; businesses basically need to use these tools to be found online. 

If you would like to know more details about us, please contact with us: 

www.shopshipshake.co.za

If you are interested in cooperating with us. Please register on https://bit.ly/3ks0m1M

Types of businesses that are thriving during COVID-19

 Here are some types of businesses that are seeing a strong demand during the coronavirus pandemic:

• Cleaning services. Many people and businesses are turning to professional cleaning services that can safely and effectively sanitize homes, offices, and restaurants.
• Delivery services. With many staying home and avoiding nonessential outings, people are increasingly relying on delivery. Retail delivery, as well as food, grocery, and meal prep delivery, are seeing particularly strong demand.
• Fitness equipment and online fitness classes. Most gyms and fitness studios have limited in-person capacities right now, so consumers are turning to fitness equipment companies and virtual classes to stay fit without leaving the house.
• Landscaping/yard care companies. Rather than going out or on vacation, people are spending more time at home with family or hosting smaller outdoor get-togethers. As a result, landscaping and yard care companies are seeing even more business than usual.
• Mask makers. With mask-wearing becoming a requirement in certain settings, several companies have cropped up or successfully pivoted their operations to create high-quality, aesthetically pleasing masks.
• Telehealth services. People have been wary of visiting doctor’s offices, where they could more easily contract coronavirus. As a result, telehealth services have become increasingly popular.

Tips for starting a business during a pandemic

If you’re considering entrepreneurship right now, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Think about what consumers need right now

Consumer habits have significantly shifted amid the pandemic, so consider how your offerings fit into your customers’ current lifestyle. For example, pet adoptions soared by 700% since last year, as people sought pet companionship while they’re spending more time at home.

A key challenge during COVID has been striking a balance between having empathy for the things that are happening in the world, while at the same time not taking the foot off the gas, when you’re launching a company you don’t have the luxury of time for any outside distractions, but during that time, the whole outside world was a distraction.

Develop a good digital marketing strategy

A strong digital marketing strategy can help bolster your new business through uncertain times. Transparent communication and staying true to your brand online are two key ways to build customer loyalty in the pandemic and beyond.

We’ve been primarily turning to digital advertising and customer referrals as our main sources of traffic. We have also done a few socially distant outdoor events, such as renting an ice cream truck and giving out free ice cream.

Connect with consumers on social media

Social media is a great way to bring in new customers and share updates with current ones. Of course, you want to promote your business and any (virtual) events you’re having, but you shouldn’t just sell, sell, sell. Use your social accounts to genuinely engage with your customers and get them excited about your brand.

Create a long-term, recession-proof business plan

The business landscape looks very different now than it did a few months ago, and it could very well change again. Developing a long-term, recession-proof business plan with good financial planning in place will help ensure your startup can weather any storm.

Be flexible and stay positive

Adaptability is the key to success for any entrepreneur and their business. Have a plan, but be flexible in the face of change.

Above all else, stay positive. While launching a startup right now has its unique challenges, it’s far from impossible.

Most importantly, do not be afraid to ask for help. You may be surprised at how many people reach out a helping hand when you just ask.”

Consumers are growing gradually, the need that we had with the bags now have been evolved especially due to the covid-19 impact. The 2021 bag trend analysis brings the multiple reasons consumer buy bag, one of the biggest reason is to carry their daily essentials depending on the emotional and lifestyle factors. In 2020 and 2021 the consumer will demand the freedom of carrying. 

The current shift in lifestyle demands the functional and easy to carry styles. Today’s lifestyle shift based on our megatrend “the perfectionism” consumer are more looking to explore the world and experience the luxury quality of the product. 

Our company has found that women before buying any bags are doing an extensive amount of research prior to purchasing a bag, from blog reviews, comments, rating and review websites, retail stores, and social media. It is a rational process, as handbags, of course, serve a functional purpose, but they also serve an emotional one. A woman considers the purchase to be an investment in her style and personality, regardless of price point, and she does not want to make a wrong choice.

Rise of backpack demand.

Backpacks are the essential item for men and women performing a very active life. With the rise of health cautious lifestyle, the demand for backpacks has risen sharply as it brings the freedom to commuters to carry things with ease from Gym to work. Backpack brings the functionality and technical version. A wearer can carry a water bottle, gym accessories, and office papers in leather, or a mix of fabrication.

Waist tie bag

The waist tie bag brings the functionality and expedites to carry small important things such as the small diary, pen, cards and many other essential daily must-have things. 

The Idea over here is the freedom of making hands free is the biggest reason for the successful adoption of these bag styles.

Crossbody bag

Freeing from carrying bags on hand is what most of the consumers are looking for due to very busy lifestyle, this is the reason crossbody bags with the long metal chain or leather strips are gaining the traction. Freedom is the most imperative key attribute that is why we could expect demand for crossbody bags to rise further. Crossbody small to medium bags are seen mostly popular as spotted on the streets and on the runway.

 

Large bags are out- rise of medium bags

Large bags are almost gone, now medium and small bags are overtaking them. The crossbody and medium-sized bags are now about to add to the wardrobe. 

Mobile purse

Mobile purses are gaining strength as we have spotted it in yet another season of S/S 2021 at Milan and Paris fashion week as seen in Victoria Tomas and Max Mara’s collection.

2021 promises to be another uncertain year due to the pandemic, which is why FashionUnited brings you an overview of the main trends that will determine the spring-summer 2021 season – a ‘best of’ for retailers and e-retailers who are looking for inspiration to replenish their stock or to keep their windows as up-to-date as possible.

Sensual knitted tops

Knitwear may be a fabric for the colder seasons, but its soft contours make it possible to provide bodies with a shape that will remain in the summer season. In the report ‘SS21 Trends Spotlight: Europe vs. US ‘, the Heuritech analytics platform reports a 20 percent increase in form-fitting knit garments for the summer of 2021 compared to the summer of 2020. To take a well-considered bet on this material, the company recommends focusing on the tops, the category where knitting is most prevalent. You are safer with this substance in the European market than in the United States, according to the Heuritech report.

The Première Vision website also indicates the buyer’s preference for “wrapped knitwear”. That term refers to knits that are both sensual and easy to wear; Première Vision mentions as an example thick, stretchable fabrics and fine fleeces, made from a mixture of viscose and other synthetic fibers.

Linen in neutral and pastel shades

Linen is increasingly gaining ground. For a long time the material was discarded, now it is recognized for its durable qualities and praised for its versatility. In a study devoted to linen, Tagwalk, a search engine specializing in fashion, revealed a telling figure: +102 percent linen seen on the spring-summer runways 21. Heuritech adds that linen in combination with pastel or neutrals and on custom pieces are in demand, adding that the material could enable brands to target avant-garde and trendy consumers.

Metallic items with an 80’s flair

The disco wind that blew over the holiday season in the winter of 2020 will not fully subside this summer. The looks with shimmering materials reflect the desire for parties that many will have to miss due to the pandemic. Burberry, Acne Studios, Isabel Marant and Paco Rabanne used metallic materials in their spring and summer collections. Heuritech specifies the categories of products associated with this trend: skirts for the European market and jackets for the American market. Tagwalk also points out that the term “disco” in the SS21 collections is up 132.8 percent from SS20. Metallic pieces are mainly aimed at consumers with a sharp style, the demand for them among the general public has yet to grow.

Cheerful looks

Last June, Célina Bailly, responsible for the Women’s Casual trend book at trend agency Promostyl, told FashionUnited that “Joy” would be one of the big themes for spring-summer 2021. This keyword should be understood as the consumer’s desire to wear garments that are much more comfortable and creative. “People are going to buy more color, natural shades like green, yellow, something that brings more joy,” Celina explained at the time. In addition to this use of color, pieces with creative prints and weaves also appeared remarkably often at SS21 fashion weeks. A few examples: Christopher Kane and his painted collection, Marni and the pieces from the archive that were patched and painted with poetic words, or Stella Jean with her vibrant outfits.

Whether it’s the expression of uninhibited creativity or clashing prints, the idea here is to focus on clothes that are at the core joyful and comforting. It’s no coincidence that the most successful brands on Instagram at London Fashion Week SS21 all showcased colorful and printed collections.

Freedom of movement in comfortable pieces

The lockdown periods have converted consumers to radically comfortable outfits. The Première Vision trade fair praises the casual wear category, be it ultra-feminine or boyish, tight-fitting or loose-fitting. Think of a tight knit dress, clothes that fit like a second skin, or light, flowy outfits like those from Dior on the SS21 catwalk. Première Vision also highlights a desire for silky, casual pieces, with feminine outerwear that fluctuates in material between luxurious cotton and silk.

Almost any pieces that allow consumers to swap their eternal jogging suit for a less boring outfit are good to include. The outfit should bring comfort and elegance and should be worn both at home and outdoors. Céline Bailly points out to FashionUnited readers that the trend towards sustainability is becoming increasingly important, and with it the desire to reflect it in our outfits.

The 2021 holiday shopping season could be marred by out-of-stock goods and shipping delays as the recent floods in Europe and China exacerbate already strained global supply chains.

Western Europe and China’s Henan province — a key transport hub and home to several major businesses — are grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods.

The disasters have damaged railways used for the delivery of goods and raw materials in both regions. Water rushed into industrial areas extensively damaging facilities, machinery and warehouses, companies in the supply chain industry told CNBC.

“Black Friday and the holiday season, for which products (and raw materials) are being staged, will face the brunt of the impact,” Pawan Joshi, executive vice president of supply chain software firm E2open told CNBC in an email.

“Consumer electronics, dorm room furniture, clothing and appliances will all continue to be in short supply as back-to-school shopping starts up, and will trickle into the peak holiday shopping season,” he said.

Delays from the distribution of raw materials needed to produce goods will have a cascading effect and disrupt supply chains “for weeks and months,” Joshi said.

The CEO of a shipping firm told CNBC last week the floods in China and Europe are yet “another body blow” for global supply chains.

Supply chains have already been majorly disrupted this year by crises such as the shortage of shipping containers, the Suez Canal incident and Covid cases causing delays at the shipping hubs in Southern China.

Even if there are deals for the peak online shopping season, Joshi said it’s likely there will be fewer and the discounts will probably be smaller. Prices may also go up for some goods, he said.

“Come Black Friday, we can likely expect to see prices rise for all sorts of goods such as consumer electronics, furniture, apparel and appliances,” he added.

Separately, Apple CEO Tim Cook also said during an earnings call last week that freight costs are high.

Several companies, including Germany’s largest steel maker Thyssenkrupp, have declared force majeure. A force majeure event occurs when unforeseeable circumstances, such as natural catastrophes, prevent one party from fulfilling its contractual duties, absolving them from penalties.

Some of the worst-hit industries from the floods include autos, technology and electronics, according to those that CNBC spoke to.  

Auto production hit again after chip shortage
Car production is likely to be hammered by manufacturing delays as many of the world’s major automakers and their suppliers are based in regions devastated by the floods.

“The flooding has the potential to throw another wrench into the mix for the auto industry, which is already reeling from a semiconductor shortage,” Pawan said.

Manufacturing facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium are expected to bear the brunt of the damage from the floods, supply chain risk management firm Everstream told CNBC via email. Many suppliers that provide specialized parts for the auto, technology and aerospace industries are based there, said Shehrina Kamal, vice president of intelligence solutions at Everstream.

“As floodwater started to recede, most major highways and roads were expected to be cleared over the past weekend; however, due to the extent of water damages in some affected industrial areas, manufacturing operations are unlikely to resume as quickly, potentially impacting supply availability,” she said.

“Given that some companies have already issued profit warnings and even declared force majeure, the effects of the flooding will likely continue to ripple through supply chains for several weeks to come,” Kamal concluded.

Zurich-based Klingelnberg, which produces gear components, issued a warning that the damage to its Hueckeswagen plant in Germany could hurt its revenue targets for 2021.

Disruption of copper bad news for electronics
The floods could also disrupt the supply of copper, which is used in many products from electronics to electric vehicles.

The flood-hit Henan province in China is a major copper production hub, noted Vivek Dhar, a commodities analyst at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Copper prices last week rose strongly on supply concerns, he said, as Henan has seen strong growth in copper smelting in recent years.

“Copper demand hopes are linked to rebuilding damaged infrastructure in central China. The power sector in China is a particularly strong driver of copper demand,” Dhar wrote in a note last week.

Over in Europe, Aurubis GmbH – a supplier of high-precision copper wires for the electronics and electrical equipment sectors – declared force majeure on deliveries following extensive flooding at its plant, according to Everstream Analytics.

Meanwhile in Henan’s capital Zhengzhou, the disruption could hit a broad swath of industries from autos to pharmaceuticals and biotech, said Ryan Seah, APAC intelligence analyst at Everstream.

“Zhengzhou is a vital transportation hub and is one of China’s principal cities along the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Seah, referring to China’s mammoth infrastructure plan that stretches across several countries and continents. He added that the city is home to 91 companies listed in China and a wide range of sectors.

Zhengzhou is also home to a major factory run by Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn. It is the world’s biggest assembly plant for Apple’s iPhones. Foxconn previously told CNBC that it had “activated an emergency response plan for flood control measures in that location.”

• It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes, e-cigarette accessories, and tobacco products to anyone under 18 years old.
• It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes or e-liquids that contain nicotine, including online sales.
• E-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine are legal. Adults can buy and use e-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine.
• It is also illegal to display, advertise or promote e-cigarettes.
• It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes that make a health claim, such as ‘this product helps smokers to quit.
• Health inspectors can seize and destroy products containing liquid nicotine or labeled as containing nicotine, and also check if retailers are selling e-cigarettes to people under 18 years of age.
• For selling products containing liquid nicotine, and selling e-cigarettes to people under 18 years of age.
• The Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 and the Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017 prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in smoke-free areas. They can use e-cigarettes where smoking is not banned.
• Under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act, 2008:E-cigarette retailers must register their business details with NSW Health. This is a free online process and it should only take 15 minutes. Retailers who sell e-cigarettes and tobacco products must update their registration.
• Retailers who only sell e-cigarettes and e-cigarette accessories can apply for an exemption, so that electronic cigarettes may be used within their store. There is an application process and additional conditions will apply. Retailers who also sell tobacco products or other products are not eligible to apply for an exemption.

E-cigarettes must not make unapproved therapeutic claims

Under national law, it is illegal to make therapeutic claims about goods if they are not registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This means that it would be illegal to sell or supply e-cigarettes if a label, website, poster, or website claims like ‘this product will help you quit smoking. Verbal statements by salespeople are also included.

Retailers who only sell e-cigarettes and accessories can apply for an exemption, so that e-cigarettes may still be used within their store

There is an application process and additional conditions will apply. Retailers who also sell tobacco products or other products are not eligible to apply for an exemption. 

For more information, refer to the tobacco retailing law.