What is going on in the Marketplace?
Great Toronto Area (GTA):
- Ontario government extended the shutdown until the end of May.
- Graders will need to sort through thousands of pounds in sitting inventory, once they reopen.
- There could be a reluctance to buy early on, until end markets stabilize.
Texas:
- Businesses opening back up, they are eager to move loads. However, their customer markets are still closed.
- Product available, waiting for customers for purchase.
Border:
- McAllen warehouses have opened this week. Starting their operations slowly.
- Expecting the markets served by these sellers to gradually begin to operate in May.
Latin America:
- El Salvador and Guatemala government plan to extend quarantine until mid-May.
Pakistan:
- Ramadan begun, reducing operations.
- Some buyers beginning to operate at low capacity.
- Back log of containers needed to be sorted, therefore they are not ordering.
India:
- Government allowed to start work from April 22, graders decided to not start operations
- No income, since Africa is still closed.
- Fear of virus Shortage of workers, since due to the shutdowns they moved back to their villages.
Dubai:
- Ramadan month begun until May 23rd. Working capacities are reduce as a result.
- Lockdown has finished.
- Working at 30-40% capacity.
- Customers looking for deals, to take advantage of low prices.
- Customers looking for stock of new clothes, store returns, excess from brands.
Private Collectors:
- Taking reductions on prices to move product, about 35% lower prices.
- Upfront payment is a current preference, to offset product pricing losses.
- California shutdown extended until May 15, some working with a skeleton crew.
Major Charities:
- Charity thrift stores remain closed.
- Many charities continue to operate with a skeleton crew. Collecting donations from bins, seeing an influx of product.
Canadian Thrift Stores:
- Some provinces reopening in May. Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
- Collections and bin clearing still ongoing for most organizations. Product is very plentiful for customer demand levels.