|  | |  | In today’s email:Three Freight Headlines: Dollar General expands with a new distribution strategy to compete with larger retailers, the US pork industry grapples with an oversupply crisis, and China's C919 jet completes its first commercial flight, potentially challenging Boeing and Airbus. Memorial Day 2023: A Look at Consumer Spending & Inflation Around the Freight Web: Top selling cars in Q1 of 2023, truck fined over $15,000 for being overweight, YoY hiring has decreased significantly, plus more.
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Exciting news: Until the end of Q2, receive a 20% discount on all new contracts with Greenscreens.ai. Click here to learn more. | | 🐔 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT | Three Headlines |  | 💰 Dollar General's Expansion. Dollar General, known for discount retail, is strategizing to compete with giants like Target and Walmart by targeting a wider demographic. They have launched DG Fresh, a new initiative to self-distribute fresh and refrigerated products, a move contrasted by rivals relying on third-party wholesalers. With a recent opening of an 85,000 sq. ft. distribution center in Nebraska and another planned in New York, the company aims to handle perishable items better.
🐖 Pork Oversupply Crisis. The $54 billion U.S. pork industry is facing its worst crisis in decades due to an oversupply of pigs, causing distress for hog farmers and meat companies alike. Despite the glut, consumers are not seeing lower prices. A rapid expansion prompted by a surge in overseas demand, primarily from China, has backfired as China restores its own hog population and U.S. pork exports decline. Domestic sales are down, and industry titans like Smithfield Foods, Tyson Foods, and JBS are witnessing shrinking profits, prompting them to scale back their operations. Tyson's CEO, Donnie King, has stated that the company is evaluating whether to own more hogs in its supply chains, rather than relying on independent farmers.
🛫 China's C919 Debuts. After a 16-year development program, China's homegrown C919 passenger jet, developed by state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac), completed its maiden commercial flight, signaling a potential challenge to aviation giants Boeing and Airbus. The flight marks a milestone in China's ambition to reduce its reliance on foreign technology, with the government investing heavily into the C919 project. Despite Comac's capacity to disrupt the market, it must increase production and prove that the C919 is profitable and reliable, while contending with reliance on foreign suppliers for essential parts. The aircraft's performance and acceptance in the global market are yet to be observed, but changing geopolitical scenarios could enhance its international prospects. | | | Nearshoring Your Logistics Operation to Mexico |  | Rapido Solutions Group is a top nearshore staffing company providing logistics and supply chain talent to companies in the United States. Based in Guadalajara, Mexico, Rapido offers a unique combination of cost savings and access to a skilled workforce, making it an attractive option for American logistics businesses.
Read the full article to see what makes nearshoring to Mexico an attractive option for scaling a logistics company and how partnering with Rapido Solutions Group simplifies the whole process. | | | Food Prices Year-Over-Year Change |  | Memorial Day BBQ Prices On the Rise
As Americans gear up for Memorial Day weekend barbecues, prices for many essential items are higher than last year, according to a study from Datasembly. The biggest jump has been in condiment prices, with a 32-ounce bottle of ketchup costing 28% more than last year, increasing from $4.08 to $5.22. Mustard prices have also gone up, with a 20-ounce container now 13.04% more expensive, going from $2.07 to $2.34. | Some Proteins See Price Decrease, Others Increase
Interestingly, the cost of certain meats has gone down. Ground beef prices, for instance, have seen a slight decrease, while steak has become 2.8% more expensive compared to last year. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics also reveals a decrease in pork chop prices, but an increase in bone-in chicken prices.
Americans Determined to Celebrate Despite Inflation
Despite these inflationary trends, Americans seem undeterred in their plans to celebrate Memorial Day. Numerator found that three out of four people still plan to partake in celebrations, a statistic that has remained largely unchanged from last year. More Americans, however, are planning to host or attend parties this year. | | |  | 🚗 Top Selling Cars Q1 2023: Tesla Model Y takes the lead with 263,489 units sold, followed closely by Toyota Corolla and Ford F-Series.
💸 Student Loans Resume: The reinstatement of student loan payments will burden consumers and negatively impact spending in various sectors such as auto lending, consumer cyclicals, home building, consumer electronics, and apparel.
🚛 Truck Overloaded: On 05/24/2023, Connecticut State Police identified and fined an overweight tractor trailer on I-95 southbound in Fairfield, resulting in a $15,470.00 penalty and the vehicle being taken out of service.
🇷🇺 Freight Traffic Halted: Poland has announced it will close the border for freight vehicles registered in Russia and Belarus indefinitely.
📉 SMB Hiring Slows Down: SMB hiring experiences significant YoY declines across all job categories and company sizes, with January down 15%, Q1 down 19%, and April down 27%. | | |  | | By Paul-Bernard Jaroslawski
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