Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • DHL Global Forwarding China introduces cross-border e-commerce solution ahead of peak season

    DHL Global Forwarding China introduces cross-border e-commerce solution ahead of peak season

    DHL Global Forwarding, the freight specialist of DHL Group, is introducing a variety of cross-border e-commerce solutions ahead of the year-end holiday shopping season globally. The solutions will offer cross-border shipping from China to the world with different service levels and features, as well as an integrated tracking platform for end-to-end visibility.

    China’s e-commerce sector has continued to grow despite a mixed global economic sentiment. In the first half of 2024, China’s cross-border e-commerce trade totaled 1.22 trillion yuan (EUR155 billion), a 10.5% growth year-on-year.

    “Chinese companies like Shein, Temu, AliExpress and Tik Tok Shop are gaining popularity globally. While the U.S. remains the primary export market, Europe is fast catching up as a critical region for these e-commerce platforms.  In DHL’s recent Global Shopper Trends Report, 53% of European online shoppers purchase goods from China,” said Aditi Rasquinha, CEO of Greater China, DHL Global Forwarding.

    “Cross-border e-commerce business can face many hidden obstacles, especially for small- and middle-sized customers who are not yet familiar with customs and logistics regulations at destination markets. DGF can be a strong and reliable partner for them. Our solution provides Chinese e-commerce companies with a simple and affordable cross-border shipment solution with returns, with full and semi-tracking options,” said Robin Li, Vice President, Global E-commerce Development, DHL Global Forwarding.

    The e-commerce solutions from DHL Global Forwarding China will offer:

    • End-2-End ONE DHL solution in all key markets
    • Fast and Reliable transit time with full track and trace functionality
    • Access to over ten thousand certified e-commerce specialists across the globe with local market expertise
    • Simple IT integration options including APIs, web portals, major marketplaces and e-commerce platforms
    • Different options to cater to the needs of large e-commerce platforms right down to local sellers/Direct-To-Consumer (DTC)

    One of the major advantages of the solution is the direct market access into Europe through the DHL network. The solution will feature:

    • End-to-end fast delivery within 4-5 days from China to Germany
    • Fully managed customs clearance
    • Fast & reliable transit time and doorstep delivery with delivery confirmation
    • End-to-end shipment visibility for senders and recipients via a 24/7 DHL customer portal

    The e-commerce solution will also offer expedited service to other markets such as the rest of Europe, the United Kingdom and the U.S.

    “We are making it easier for our customers to focus on what they do best: bringing their products to a global audience. This solution is designed to help them maximize their reach while minimizing their effort.

    It is particularly timely with the year-end holiday season fast approaching and we are ready to serve the peak season demand,” added Aditi.

  • Saxo Bank Aims for the Crown in Switzerland

    Saxo Bank Aims for the Crown in Switzerland

    Saxo Bank Switzerland is launching a new platform, introducing new products, and enticing customers with special offers during the U.S. elections, all in a bid to dethrone Swissquote. This move adds fresh competition to an already highly contested market.

    Since the collapse of Flowbank, it has become clear that competing in the Swiss digital banking market is no easy feat.

    Founded in 2020, Flowbank was closed by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) this past June due to insufficient capital and the management’s inability to meet minimum capital requirements. By the end of last year, FINMA noted significant and serious violations of these requirements.

    To succeed in Switzerland, financial institutions need resilience and significant capital. While incomes in Switzerland are high compared to neighboring countries, the market is small, especially in wealth management. Providers are relying on low fees and sophisticated software to attract clients, enhancing user experience, which demands substantial investment. In simple terms: size equals success.

    Saxo Bank Switzerland, led by CEO Stanislav Kostyukhin and Deputy CEO/COO Oliver Buomberger, is now turning up the heat in this battle. Saxo’s client base has grown by 43 percent, though the bank has not disclosed exact numbers. The firm also introduced a product initiative and showcased its new platform, described by Kostyukhin as a «robust Volvo» rather than the «Lamborghini» of its predecessor. The platform offers a simplified interface aimed at investors making informed decisions without the advanced tools often requested by traders. Additionally, Saxo has launched AutoInvest, enabling clients to set up automated ETF investment plans without fees for ETF purchases, monthly charges, or minimum deposits.

    New clients can also trade the 100 most popular U.S. stocks without fees until the end of the year as part of the U.S. Election Campaign, targeting the heightened market sensitivity around the U.S. elections. «Nothing is truly free,» said Kostyukhin, which is why this offer is time-limited. Nonetheless, Saxo expects this campaign to drive additional client growth.

    Kostyukhin acknowledges that Saxo is not yet Switzerland’s number one, but that’s the goal — specifically, to challenge Swissquote, the long-time leader in Swiss online banking.

  • Spotify expands AI Playlist feature to more countries

    Spotify expands AI Playlist feature to more countries

    Spotify, just like many other companies that provide services to bigger audiences, jumped on the AI bandwagon ever since Microsoft and Google made a big deal out of it.

    The company has been testing a new AI Playlist feature since April, but only Premium subscribers in the United Kingdom and Australia had access to this tool that allow them to discover music that perfectly match their needs.

    Today, Spotify announced that it’s expanding the availability of the AI Playlist feature to even more countries. As of right now, AI Playlist in English is rolling out in beta to Premium users on Android and iOS devices in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

    The Playlist AI feature combines Spotify’s personalization technology with generative AI. It offers users an easy way to create and curate the perfect musical mix. According to Spotify, since it launched in the UK and Australia back in April, Premium subscribers made use of AI Playlist to create millions of playlists.

    Since it’s powered by AI, Spotify users can create a playlist with the help of this feature by simply using unique prompts in the chat, such as “upbeat pop music for my European summer vacation” or “a romantic playlist for date night at home.”

    Spotify also says that the best playlists are generated with prompts that contain a mix of genres, moods, artists, or decades. The music streaming service mentions that users can also reference places, animals, activities, movie characters, colors, and even emojis when creating playlist using this AI-powered feature

    If you live in one of the countries mentioned above and you’re subscribed to Spotify, here is how you can access the AI Playlist feature:

    • From Your Library, tap the “+” button at the top-right corner of the app and select “AI Playlist.”
    • Select one of the suggested prompts or type your own.
    • Spotify will curate a personalized playlist featuring the tracks, artists, and genres we think you’ll like.
    • From there, you can easily manage the selection of songs by previewing and deleting tracks, or ask Spotify to refine the playlist with additional prompts.
    • Tap “Create,” and your new playlist will be saved automatically in Your Library.

    Keep in mind that AI Playlist is still in beta, so it might not provide the results you want all the time, especially for non-music-related prompts (i.e. current events, specific brands).

  • Google Wallet adds support for dozens of US banks and credit institutions

    Google Wallet adds support for dozens of US banks and credit institutions

    One of the biggest mobile payment services in the United States, Google Wallet, has just added support for more than three dozen banks and credit unions. Ever since its initial release back in 2011, Google Wallet was aiming to become more than just a simple mobile payment service.

    Today, Google Wallet not only enables Android users to make payments using their phones, tablets and watches, but it also helps them safely store their payments cards, loyalty cards, concert tickets, IDs, transit cards, and much more.

    However, the service’s main use remains the possibility to make payments using just your phone, so it’s important that Google Wallet supports as many banks as possible.

    Well, that doesn’t seem to be an issue, as Google Wallet offers support for hundreds of US banks and credit unions. This week, 47 names have been added to the list of Google Wallet-supported banks:

    • ABD Federal Credit Union (MI)
    • Adelphi Bank (OH)
    • Alibaba Business Edge Credit Card
    • Apollo Trust Company (PA)
    • Bank of Maple Plain (MN)
    • Bouy
    • Chelsea State Bank (MI)
    • Compass Financial Federal Credit Union (FL)
    • Cliq Expense Prepaid Mastercard
    • Community First Bank (WI)
    • DN Community Federal Credit Union (OH)
    • Fall River Five Cents Savings Bank (MA)
    • First National Bank of Huntsville (TX)
    • Foothill Federal Credit Union (CA)
    • Hometown Bank of Pennsylvania
    • Industrial Bank
    • Intermex (NY)
    • Jackson County Teachers Credit Union (FL)
    • Jonestown Bank & Trust Company (PA)
    • Nebraska Energy Federal Credit Union (NE)
    • Oak Valley Community Bank (CA)
    • Pacific West Bank
    • Pleo Financial Services
    • Prescott State Bank (KS)
    • Proponent Federal Credit Union (NJ)
    • Putnam County State Bank (MO)
    • Radian B2B
    • Railroad Employees Credit Union (NM)
    • Security Federal Savings Bank (TN)
    • Southwest Heritage Credit Union
    • Southern Star Credit Union (TX)
    • SRI Federal Credit Union
    • State Bank of Toulon (IL)
    • TC Wallet
    • Tern Commerce Inc. (NY)
    • The First Citizens National Bank of Upper Sandusky (OH)
    • Tri-County Credit Union (MI)
    • United Farmers State Bank (MN)
    • US Metro Bank (CA)
    • Uwharrie Bank (NC)
    • WCF Financial Bank (IA)
    • Western New York Federal Credit Union
    • WEX
    • WNB Financial, N.A. (MN)
    • Whitefish Credit Union Association (MT)
    • Xsolla
    • Zable

    Besides that, Google Wallet has added HealthEquity to the list of supported institutions, which means you’ll be able to store its “FSA cards and Commuter cards” in the service’s digital locker.

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  • Thailand mulls extending welfare benefits to freelancers

    Thailand mulls extending welfare benefits to freelancers

    The Thai Government is considering granting freelance workers the same welfare benefits as those registered with the Social Security Fund (SSF), given that they pay income taxes.

    According to Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong, the Government is in discussion with several agencies to set up a welfare system to protect freelancers, such as tour guides, ride-hailing service drivers, and online content creators.

    Under the new system, freelancers could claim medical and other welfare benefits, just like other workers who are registered with the Social Security Office. However, they must declare their income and pay the required taxes, he said.

    Sorawong said the move followed a discussion with representatives from various civil and labor advocacy groups, during which they outlined the potential challenges in setting up such a system.

    The inputs from these groups will serve as the basis for a bill on welfare coverage for freelance workers that the government plans to present in the next parliamentary session, he said.

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  • Vietnam auto ownership triples in 13 years

    Vietnam auto ownership triples in 13 years

    Car ownership tripled in 13 years to 63 vehicles per 1,000 people last year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

    The number of registered automobiles reached 6.31 million by the end of last year, it said in a recent report.

    Last year 408,500 new vehicles were registered.

    The ministry expects annual sales to top one million by 2030 and five million by 2045.

    In 2022 record sales of 500,000 units propelled Vietnam into the list of the four largest auto markets in Southeast Asia along with Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

    The ministry wants at least 80% of autos to be green by 2045 and the same ratio for domestic production.

    Now around 40% are imported as completely-built units, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association.

    The ministry wants supporting industries to manufacture key auto components such as transmissions, gearboxes, engines, and bodies.

    For now local firms are labor intensive and only capable of producing simple parts, it admitted.

    Thailand has 710 tier-one and 1,700 tier-two suppliers, while the comparable numbers for Vietnam are only 33 and 200.

    “To make good cars, we need quality materials for manufacturing as well as strong capabilities in robotics and quality control,” the ministry added.

  • Thai currency rises to highest level in 19 months

    Thai currency rises to highest level in 19 months

    Thai businesses are pressing the central bank to take measures to stabilise the domestic currency (baht), which has rapidly gained strength and could impact fourth-quarter growth.

    Speaking at a press conference on September 23, Deputy Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Phot Aramwattananon said the baht has strengthened faster than anticipated and was affecting exports and tourism.

    He expressed concerns over the impact of the rising baht on export competitiveness, particularly in agriculture and food products. TCC has urged the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to manage the baht’s stability in line with domestic and global economic conditions.

    As of September 23, the baht hovered around 32.8 to the U.S. dollar, trading at its strongest level in more than 19 months. It has gained 13% against the dollar since a low in April of 37.17.

    An appropriate level was 34 baht to the greenback, said TCC Chairman Sanan Angubolkul, adding it was seeking a meeting with the central bank and finance ministry to discuss economic stimulus, interest rate reduction, and debt resolution.

    Thailand’s household debt is projected to reach THB16 trillion in 2024, or 90.8% of GDP, among the highest ratios in Asia.

    In contrast, BoT Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput downplayed the baht’s strength, asserting it has minimal impact on exports.

    The TCC also adjusted its 2024 growth forecast upwards from 2.5% seen previously to a range of 2.6% to 2.8% due to policies of the new government to revive the economy.

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  • YouTube and Shopee plan Southeast Asian e-commerce collaboration

    YouTube and Shopee plan Southeast Asian e-commerce collaboration

    Alphabet Inc’s YouTube and e-commerce platform Shopee said on Wednesday they were launching an online shopping service in Indonesia and planned to expand it in Southeast Asia as competition picks up with a rival operator owned by TikTok.

    Under the YouTube Shopping tie-up, people will be able to purchase goods viewed on YouTube through links to Shopee, which is owned by Southeast Asian technology conglomerate Sea Ltd.

    Company executives told reporters they plan to expand the service to Thailand and in Vietnam in a few weeks. YouTube Shopping is already active in South Korea and the United States.

    Indonesia’s “energy and velocity around online shopping” is what prompted the launch, YouTube Asia-Pacific director Ajay Vidyasagar said in Jakarta.

    With YouTube Shopping, Alphabet Inc and Shopee will be competing against TikTok, the Bytedance-owned video app, which has increased its ambitions for the region after taking control of Indonesia’s biggest e-commerce platform Tokopedia.

    Asked about the size of the partnership with Shopee, Vidyasagar said it was very significant, but declined to give numbers. He said YouTube Shopping would be opened to partners other than Shopee “in a phased, sequenced manner.”

    Reuters reported last year, citing sources, that YouTube was planning to apply for a licence to operate e-commerce services in Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

    TikTok’s shopping service, TikTok Shop, accounted for $16.3 billion in 2023 in gross merchandise value in Southeast Asia, in a nearly fourfold jump from the previous year, consultancy Momentum Works said in a report.

    This has made the platform the region’s second largest e-commerce platform after Shopee.

    The region of nearly 700 million is one of the world’s fastest growing e-commerce markets. The Momentum Works report said Southeast Asia’s eight largest e-commerce platforms racked up $114.6 billion in gross merchandise value in 2023, up 15% from 2022.

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  • Miniso to acquire 29.4 percent of Yonghui Superstores

    Miniso to acquire 29.4 percent of Yonghui Superstores

    Miniso Group Holding will acquire 29.4 percent of Yonghui Superstores from various shareholders for RMB6.3 billion (US$893.3 million).

    Miniso, through its PRC subsidiary Guangdong Juncai International Trading, entered into share purchase agreements with DFI Retail Group subsidiary The Dairy Farm Company and JD.com subsidiaries Beijing Jingdong Century Trade and Suqian Hanbang Investment Management.

    The transaction will result in Miniso becoming the largest single shareholder of the supermarket chain.

    Under the agreements, Guangdong Juncai will pay each seller RMB2.35 per share, representing a 3.1 percent premium to the closing price of Yonghui’s shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on September 20.

    Shares of Miniso Group Holding plunged as much as 39.2 percent to HK$20 ($2.57) on Tuesday after the deal was announced.

    The lifestyle products retailer’s shares dived to the lowest since December 2022, on track for the biggest one-day percentage drop since its debut in July 2022, and was the top percentage loser on the Hong Kong bourse. Reuters reported that compared to a 2.1 per cent rise in the benchmark Hang Seng Index.

    Yonghui has logged three years of net losses, reflecting the mounting costs of closing unprofitable stores.

    Guofu Ye, the Miniso chairman and CEO, said that acquiring the shares would allow his company to expand its access to the essential goods sector.

    “With our support and leveraging our expertise in design-led products, Yonghui will be poised to develop higher-quality self-branded products to cater to evolving consumer needs,” said Ye.

    “Furthermore, I believe that our collaboration with Yonghui in retail channel upgrade and supply chain will enable us to share resources to further enhance economies of scale, optimise the cost structure and create value for consumers.”

    Miniso’s newest flagship store – which opened early this month in downtown Jakarta – is among the first to include a range of snackfoods, all sourced from local suppliers, as the novelty retailer looks to expand into other categories, with blind boxes being another.

    DFI Retail Group will receive US$637 million for its stake, funds CEO Scott Price said would support the company’s plans to expand its other businesses in Mainland China, which remains a significant market for the company.

    “We are proud to serve millions of customers through Mannings China and 7-Eleven, and we have ambitious plans to increase the number of 7-Eleven stores in Guangdong Province in the coming years,” said Price.

    The deal is subject to Miniso shareholder approval and applicable regulatory conditions, including antitrust approval.

  • WhatsApp might finally allow users to protect themselves from spam

    WhatsApp might finally allow users to protect themselves from spam

    WhatsApp has been working on a new feature allowing users to prevent unknown accounts from sending them messages. This has been in development for quite some time, but WhatsApp seems to be confident in the end result and is now making the feature available to beta testers.

    The fine folks at WABetaInfo report that WhatsApp is now rolling out a new update on Android devices that introduces the ability to block messages from unknown accounts.

    The new security feature is hidden in the Advanced tab under the Privacy Settings menu and comes in the form of a simple toggle, which allows users to turn it off and on whenever they wish. While having the option to block messages coming from unknown accounts certainly keeps spam to a minimum, the way WhatsApp is implementing it isn’t as we would’ve expected.

    Apparently, WhatsApp will only block messages from unknown accounts if they exceed a certain volume. It was implemented that way in order to allow business accounts or other accounts that you haven’t interacted with to still be able to send you messages that might prove to be important. Not only that, but WhatsApp will lift the block once the messaging volume returns to normal, which seems like a rather bad decision. In any case, the security feature is still being tested, so the final version might work slightly differently than it is now.

    If you’re enrolled in the beta program, you should be looking for WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.16. Keep in mind though that the feature seems to be available only to a select number of users, although WhatsApp is expected to expand its availability to even more users in the coming weeks.

    Those who want to check out the new security feature but aren’t yet enrolled in the beta can do so via the Google Play Beta Program link.

  • Google TV gets major upgrade: smart home controls, AI art, sports hub, more

    Google TV gets major upgrade: smart home controls, AI art, sports hub, more

    Google is rolling out a significant update to its Google TV platform, bringing a host of new features to enhance your viewing and smart home experience. These updates will be available on all Google TV devices, including the upcoming Google TV Streamer set to launch on September 24th.

    One of the most notable additions is the new home panel on Google TV. This feature transforms your TV into a central hub for controlling all of your compatible smart home devices. From adjusting your thermostat to checking your security cameras, you can manage your entire smart home without ever leaving the couch. The new doorbell notifications also bring added convenience, allowing you to see who’s at the door without interrupting your viewing experience. If you can’t find the remote, Google Assistant voice commands have you covered, providing hands-free control over your smart home devices.

    When you’re not actively watching TV, Google TV now offers an improved Ambient screensaver that turns your idle screen into a personalized canvas. You can either create AI-generated designs based on your own descriptions or prompts, or relive your cherished memories by showcasing your favorite Google Photos. This feature leverages generative AI to craft unique images for your display, adding a touch of artistic flair to your living space.

    For sports fans, the new sports page within the For You tab consolidates all your sports content in one convenient location. You can quickly find live and upcoming games, catch sports commentary, browse YouTube highlights, and receive personalized recommendations to stay up-to-date on your favorite teams and leagues.

    Choosing what to watch can be overwhelming with the vast array of channels and subscription services available. To help you make informed decisions, Google is introducing enhanced overviews of top movies and shows powered by Gemini technology. These overviews provide comprehensive summaries, audience reviews, and season-by-season breakdowns, giving you valuable insights to guide your viewing choices.

    Last year, Google introduced free built-in channels on Google TV, offering a selection of live TV without the need for additional downloads or subscriptions. This service, known as Google TV Freeplay, now boasts an expanded channel guide with over 150 channels, making it easier to browse by genre and topic. New additions to the lineup include Heartland, The FBI Files, and ION Plus.

    The update also extends to Google TV’s hardware ecosystem. In addition to the upcoming Google TV Streamer, you can now find Google TV on a wider range of devices, including new art TVs from Hisense and TCL, as well as smart projectors from Vankyo, Epson, and XGIMI. Google is also expanding its reach by bringing Google TV to more countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

    I’m excited about these updates to Google TV. The integration of smart home controls directly into the TV interface is a game-changer, and I can see it definitely changing the way I interact with my connected TV. The AI-generated art for Ambient screensaver and the enhanced overviews for movies and shows are also great additions that personalize my viewing experience. Finally, as a baseball fan, I appreciate the dedicated sports page, which will make it easier to find and follow my favorite team.

  • Viettel to gift 4G phones to 700,000 2G subscribers

    Viettel to gift 4G phones to 700,000 2G subscribers

    State-owned telecom giant Viettel will spend VND300 billion (US$12.2 million) to gift 4G phones to 700,000 of its subscribers who still use 2G devices.

    The military-owned company announced Friday that the program, which aims to support a rapid switch to 4G networks, is meant for customers still using 2G phones who lack access to 4G devices due to their remote location or financial status.

    It plans to gift feature phones but with added cloud phone features that allow the use of some OTT apps.

    The program will run from now until the 2G network is shut down on Oct. 15, with eligible users getting a message instructing them to go to the nearest Viettel store or contact its local employees for support.

    Viettel said it would prioritize subscribers in mountainous regions affected by recent storms, like Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Hoa Binh, Bac Kan, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang provinces.

    The Ministry of Information and Communications and telecom firms have been taking a number of measures to promote the shift from 2G. The number of 2G users declined from 11 million in July to three million now.

    Viettel has the most 2G subscribers of any network operator, but has seen over eight million switch to 4G devices this year.

    It recently installed over 6,000 new base stations nationwide to expand its 4G network coverage to 96% of the population, including four million new users in remote and rural areas.

    Pulling the plug on 2G will promote the adoption of 4G, which can help familiarize people with digital and online public services, and free up resources for network providers to focus on developing 5G and 6G technologies.

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  • DHL Express to triple its shipping capacity at Porto Airport with EUR 25M investment

    DHL Express to triple its shipping capacity at Porto Airport with EUR 25M investment

    DHL Express Portugal has inaugurated a new facility at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto, Portugal. With an investment of more than €25 million, this significant expansion underlines DHL’s commitment to the Portuguese market and strengthens its support for the growing export industry in the North and Central regions of the country.

    With a total footprint of over 18,000 square meters, the new facility triples DHL’s operational capacity at the international airport, allowing it to process up to 6,500 pieces per hour for imports, an increase of 150%, and 5,000 pieces per hour for exports, a rise of 300%. The terminal is equipped with advanced automation systems, such as X-rays and automatic weighing and measuring equipment, enabling fast, efficient, and secure handling of shipments. The capacity expansion will allow DHL to support annual volume growth in the double-digit range, which will further consolidate its leading position in the logistics sector in Portugal.

    In parallel with the capacity expansions, DHL is also reaffirming its commitment to sustainability. The new facility will feature 130 loading bays for DHL vans, 119 of which are prepared for electric vehicles. The building is equipped with solar panels, advanced lighting and ventilation systems, further reinforcing the company’s efforts to increase the carbon efficiency of its transportation and warehousing operations.

    “Portugal has been one of the strongest performers in Europe in terms of economic growth in recent years, supported by healthy demand for Portuguese exports, and DHL Express is fully committed to enabling the country’s further trade development over the long-term,” said Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express Europe. “As usual, we are combining our investments in capacity with the addition of new technology that improves efficiency and reliability and supports increased sustainability, which we expect to significantly enhance the competitiveness of our customers in Portugal in their export and import activities.”

    “The inauguration of this new terminal at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto marks an important milestone for DHL in Portugal. It is a renewed commitment to innovation, sustainability and economic growth in the North of Portugal,” said José Reis, CEO of DHL Express Portugal. “We are proud to contribute to the development of this region, supporting the small and medium-sized enterprises that are the foundation of our economy. With this investment, we are prepared to continue connecting people and improving lives, while raising the standards of efficiency and sustainability in the logistics industry.”

    The DHL Express executives were joined at an inauguration ceremony for the facility by António Tiago, Mayor of Maia, and Julia Monar, German Ambassador to Portugal.

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  • Vietnam rubber exports hit $1.7B in 8 months

    Vietnam rubber exports hit $1.7B in 8 months

    Vietnam exported 1.12 million tons of rubber worth US$1.76 billion in the first eight months of 2024, customs data show.

    This marked a 7.2% year-on-year decline in volume but a 8.4% growth in value from the same period last year, according to the General Department of Customs.

    Vietnam shipped out 209,726 tons of rubber worth nearly $345 million in August alone, up 12.7% in volume and 12% in value from the previous month.

    The average export price was $1,637 per ton, a 1.1% month-on-month decrease but up 26.8% from a year ago.

    Rubber exports are forecast to reach $3-3.5 billion this year, a $200-400 million increase from 2023.

    The country currently has a latex output of 1.3 million tons per year from 910,000 hectares of rubber plantations, according to the Vietnam Rubber Association.

    Every year, more than 300,000 tons of rubber are used in processing and manufacturing, leaving a large amount of raw material for export. This has opened up considerable export potential for the local industry, especially in the context of potential global supply shortages in the 2024 – 2025 period.

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  • Factories reduce work hours with eye to employees’ well-being

    Factories reduce work hours with eye to employees’ well-being

    Many factories in Ho Chi Minh City have been reducing workers’ weekly hours below the legal maximum of 48 to give them more time for themselves without compromising their income.

    When the end-of-shift bell rings at 4 p.m. at a factory belonging to industrial sewing machine producer Juki Vietnam in District 7’s Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone workers have five minutes to clean and organize their work area before leaving.

    Nguyen Thi My Linh, who has worked at Juki for 28 years, said until a few years ago her shift used to be the standard 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day except Sunday with 70 minutes for lunch and two other breaks.

    But after workers expressed difficulty in picking up their children, the management agreed to shorten their shift by 25 minutes.

    “Getting off early helps me avoid traffic and gives me enough time to pick up my child in Nha Be District, take them home and then to District 5 for tutoring,” Linh says.

    Nguyen Phuoc Dai, chairman of the company’s labor union, says employees also get two Saturdays off per month after they said they did not have enough weekend time with their families, which has reduced their week to less than 44 hours.

    The maximum allowed by law is 48 hours, not including overtime.

    Dai noted that the company did not reduce wages or income when it cut the work hours, and instead invested in technology and optimized production processes to ensure productivity.

    An Thien Pharmaceutical Corporation in Nha Be’s Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park similarly used to have a 48-hour week before switching to 44 hours in the past decade.

    Its director of human resources, Le Dinh Chi, says the change came after the labor union forwarded workers’ wishes for shorter hours.

    “Reducing working hours is a way for management to show concern for the well-being and families of employees.”

    The company’s 450 workers earn an average of VND13 million (US$530) per month.

    According to the city Trade Union of Industrial and Export Processing Zones, Juki and An Thien are among more than 20 manufacturing businesses in the city’s industrial parks and EPZs that have moved away from 48-hour weeks.

    Some have even reduced it to 40 or give employees three Saturdays off every month, it says.

    Vu The Van, its president, says these firms’ decision to shorten the work week is commendable since it is recommended but not mandated by current regulations.

    Reducing work hours is also a strategy for businesses to retain employees amid a growing labor shortage in the manufacturing sector, as workers with more time for themselves and their families tend to feel happier and more motivated to remain loyal to the company, she says.

    Concurring, Thanh Nguyen, CEO of human resources consulting firm Anphabe, says a survey by her company found that time-related benefits and work arrangements are the biggest concern for 63% of workers while only 24% of them reported being satisfied with their working hours.

    The 2020 Labor Force Survey by the General Statistics Office found that nearly 41% of workers nationwide clock in 40-48 hours per week, 30.9% log 49-59 hours and 7.5% work 60 hours or more.