The need to know

The need to know for the week ending 16th July 2020

The need to know from Reuters global network of journalists

Amazon begins rolling out bigger UPS and FedEx-style delivery trucks

Amazon.com (AMZN.O) is launching a new fleet of bigger, boxier trucks like those favored by rival package carriers United Parcel Service Inc (UPS.N) and FedEx Corp (FDX.N), as it fights to fix widespread pandemic-fueled delivery delays that sent customers into the arms of competitors like Walmart Inc (WMT.N).

India's Flipkart to raise $1.2 billion in Walmart-led funding

Flipkart will raise $1.2 billion in funding led by majority owner Walmart Inc (WMT.N), the Indian e-commerce firm said on Tuesday, as it looks to compete better with Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) in a coronavirus-hit market.   

AliExpress Russia eyes $10 billion turnover by 2022-2023, up an estimated 66%

AliExpress Russia, an e-commerce venture between Chinese online shopping giant Alibaba and Russian partners, said it was aiming for annual turnover of $10 billion by 2022-2023, up from what analysts estimate is about $6 billion now.

South African e-commerce is a COVID-fired market of risk and reward

Like many of her compatriots, Kubashnee Moodley made her first foray into online shopping during South Africa’s coronavirus lockdown. She is not a satisfied customer.   

Aldi UK doubles size of home delivery trial with Deliveroo

Aldi UK, the British arm of the German supermarket discounter, said on Tuesday it has doubled the size of its groceries home delivery trial with Deliveroo to 20 stores.

As virus-wary shoppers opt for online purchases, retailers pay the price

Online sales may be a saving grace for pandemic-battered retailers with fewer shoppers in their stores. But many retailers, from department store chain Macy’s Inc to essential retailer Target Corp, are grappling with higher expenses related to e-commerce.

Argentina suspends exports from eight meat plants to China after COVID-19 found

Argentina has suspended exports to China from eight meatpacking plants after cases of the novel coronavirus were found among their employees, Argentina’s food quality and safety body, Senasa, said on Wednesday.

South Africa's Distell plays chess to beat lockdown wine glut

At a centuries-old vineyard overlooked by South Africa’s Drakenstein mountain, the country’s biggest single wine exporter Distell is battling a problem of plenty.

Hapag-Lloyd ups H1 profits and keeps guidance, but warns of risks

German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd (HLAG.DE) on Wednesday reported preliminary results for the first half of 2020 showing core profits above those of the same 2019 period and upholding its guidance for full year earnings.

Britain to spend 705 million pounds on EU border infrastructure

Britain will spend 705 million pounds on border infrastructure to help keep trade flowing after its transition deal with the European Union expires at the end of the year, Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove said on Sunday.

U.S. manufacturing snaps back; new COVID-19 cases threaten recovery

U.S. factory output rose by the most in more than 74 years in June as motor vehicle production accelerated amid the reopening of businesses, but the nascent economic recovery was overshadowed by surging new COVID-19 infections.

Japan manufacturers' mood pinned near 11-year lows as pandemic hammers global demand

Japanese manufacturers remained close to the most pessimistic they have been in 11 years in July as the coronavirus outbreak hits global demand and deals a punishing blow to the export-reliant economy, the Reuters tankan survey showed on Wednesday.

Navistar to develop self-driving trucks with TuSimple

Truck maker Navistar International Corp (NAV.N) has bought a minority stake in TuSimple and aims to co-develop self-driving trucks by 2024 with the technology company as it rolls out a national U.S. autonomous freight network, the two companies said on Wednesday.

Ford says restrictions at Mexico plants 'not sustainable'

Ford Motor Co on Thursday said new staffing restrictions imposed on plants producing car parts in the Mexican state of Chihuahua were “not sustainable,” the latest sign U.S. automakers are still reeling from coronavirus lockdowns in Mexico.

Amazon tests primary healthcare program for employees

Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) said on Tuesday it launched a pilot healthcare program for its employees and their families to provide primary services such as vaccination and physical therapy.

From elsewhere around the web

Expect mail delays, as Trump’s new Postal Service chief pushes cost-cutting. [MarketWatch]

Box ship charter market bounces back as idled vessels are recalled to duty. [The Loadstar]

Air freight rocked by volatility and uncertainty, reflected in rate rise and fall. [The Loadstar]

Ryder gets first two Workhorse electric vans. [FreightWaves]

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