Category: Trends & Shopping

The UK government recently unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries. New measures include simplifying rules of origin, enabling more goods from countries like Sri Lanka, Nigeria and the Philippines to enter the United Kingdom tariff-free, even when using components from across Asia and Africa. Upgrades to the Developing Countries Trading…

The French consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.4 per cent month on month (MoM) in June this year after a 0.1-per cent MoM drop in May, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). The prices of energy also rose by 0.6 per cent MoM after a 1.4-per cent drop in…

India’s cotton production estimate has been revised upward to 311.40 lakh bales of 170 kg each in the latest report. The Cotton Association of India (CAI), in its July 2025 report, stated that the country’s cotton production is now expected to increase from the previous estimate of 301.15 lakh bales in the June 2025 report….

LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB), a leader in the global chemical industry, is proud to announce the expansion of its long-standing collaboration with Polynt, a global expert in specialty polymers and intermediates. Together, the companies are working to develop a high-quality resin for the marine industry, which leverages the LYB Styrene +LC (low carbon) solution. LYB +LC…

US retail sales declined in June as consumer concerns over government policies weighed on spending, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released by the National Retail Federation. US retail sales slipped in June, with total sales down 0.33 per cent month over month but up 3.19 per cent year over year, as consumers grew cautious over government policies. …

The annual rate of inflation based on all India wholesale price index (WPI) number is 0.13 per cent (provisional) for the month of June 2025 (over June 2024), compared to 0.39 per cent registered in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The month over month change in WPI for the…

INEOS Styrolution, a global leader in styrenics, has successfully commercialized its 100% bio-attributed polystyrene, Styrolution PS 158K BC100. As of early 2025, food trays using this bio-based material have been available on the shelves of the Japanese market through collaboration with a well-known retail franchise. INEOS Styrolution has launched Styrolution PS 158K BC100, a 100…

The UK government recently unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries. New measures include simplifying rules of origin, enabling more goods from countries like Sri Lanka, Nigeria and the Philippines to enter the United Kingdom tariff-free, even when using components from across Asia and Africa. Upgrades to the Developing Countries Trading…

Portugal’s annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 2.4 per cent in June 2025, up from 2.3 per cent in May, according to data released by Statistics Portugal. Core inflation, which excludes energy and unprocessed food, also climbed to 2.4 per cent from 2.2 per cent the previous month. Portugal’s annual inflation rose to 2.4…

Import cargo volume at the US’ major container ports is expected to rebound this month after a double-digit drop in late spring but is forecast to fall again after previously paused tariffs take effect, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. “The tariff situation remains highly fluid,…