2018 Q2 Retail Global Sourcing Report: How the Trade “Dispute” between the U.S. and China Effects Global Retail Sourcing

SAN DIEGO and NEW YORK and HONG KONG, May 01, 2018 -- The Q2 Retail Sourcing Report was released today as interesting developments in the trade dispute continue between the U.S. and China, 2018 is shaping up to be an interesting year for retail sourcing as the second quarter continues.

The Retail Sourcing Report provides research and analysis aimed at informing global sourcing and buying decisions for retailers, brands and other sourcing professionals. The quarterly report includes a snapshot of key information and trends impacting global sourcing, such as economic conditions in sourcing countries, container shipping trends, currency exchange and commodity rates. The report also covers hot political topics and includes analyst’s insights shedding light on the retail sourcing outlook ahead.

Following a strong year for global trade in 2017, the report shows a softening in global manufacturing and general economic activity through late Q1 and into Q2 2018. Developed regions such as the Eurozone, the US and Japan performed better through Q1 than emerging markets. This drove demand and higher rates for container shipping despite the usual slowdown over Chinese New Year.

"Large global retailers are diversifying their supplier sources and turning to emerging markets such as, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam Cambodia and Ethiopia,” said Tim Chiu, CBX Software Senior Vice President, Client Services and leading authority for the Global Sourcing Society. “Adding new sources and supplier partners is putting a strain on the legacy sourcing model for many retailers. Retail organizations, both large and small are starting to look for product lifecycle management (retail PLM) solutions with strong retail sourcing and supply chain capabilities to handle large volumes of data such as, product development, compliance and quality assurance information.”

One trend that is consistent is the flux in traditional retail models as online commerce grows in the double digits, driven by companies such as Amazon who rely on supply chain efficiency and technology to improve the customer experience.

Oil prices continue to increase and reached a 2-year high based on OPEC supply cuts through 2017 and tension in the Middle East and are expected to hold steady through 2018.

Other highlights of the Q2 Retail Sourcing Report, include an in-depth look at the current trade “skirmish” between the US and China, with threats of tariffs of up to 25% on both sides, could impact across global supply chains by driving up commodity and consumer prices in the US as well as hurting Chinese exports.

About The Retail Sourcing Report

The Retail Sourcing Report provides research and analysis aimed at informing global sourcing and buying decisions for retailers, brands and other sourcing professionals. Each issue includes a snapshot of key information and trends impacting global sourcing, such as economic conditions in sourcing countries, container shipping trends, currency exchange and commodity rates. We also cover hot topics ourselves and include insight from analysts and other experts. For more information please visit the quarterly Retail Sourcing Report

About The Global Sourcing Society

Global Sourcing Society (GSS) has become a Retail industry leader in research and insights and aims to deliver information packed with exclusive news, interviews, analysis and insights from our growing community of experts.  Our staff of contributors take pride in linking senior level sourcing and supply chain retail executives, to share information and best practices with their peers. For more information please visit www.globalsourcingsociety.com

About CBX

CBX Software is the world’s leading Total Sourcing Management solution provider from concept to delivery – combining people, processes and solutions. CBX helps retailers and brands streamline product development and sourcing all the way through order, production and delivery. Through innovative Sourcing Management, Product Life-cycle Management (PLM), and Production & Order Management technology solutions, CBX empowers the supply chain network by driving collaboration to over 15,000 retail & supplier partners, and 30,000 users in more than 50 countries. For more information, visit www.cbxsoftware.com

For further information, please contact:

Mark Hudson, Vice President Global Marketing & Communications

CBX Software
t: +1 617.378.7935