Yemen’s pro-Palestine operations strike heavy blow to UK retailers: Report
UK retailers and exporters have been dealt a heavy blow by Yemen’s strikes in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are enduring a genocidal US- and UK-backed war by the Israeli regime, a report says.
The Guardian carried the report on Sunday, citing results of a survey conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), a business lobby group.
The research of more than 1,000 British retail companies showed that above half of the firms had been affected by the Yemeni reprisal operations.
“The price of shipping a container from Asia to Europe has gone up by as much as 300% for some businesses, while logistical delays have added up to three to four weeks to delivery times,” the report said.
Since November, Yemen’s Armed Forces have been targeting Israeli vessels or those bound for the Occupied Territories’ ports in protest at the war that enjoys heavy political, military, and intelligence support from the United States and Britain.
The report said the cost of shipping goods from China to Europe has more than doubled since December, as shipments must now travel around Africa rather than through the Suez canal – a route that takes about two weeks longer.
The supply chain problems are expected to be exacerbated next month as China begins shipping again in earnest after its annual pause for the two weeks of lunar new year celebrations.
“Besides escalating costs, the delays are creating knock-on effects, such as cashflow difficulties and component shortages on production lines.”
William Bain, head of trade policy at the lobby group, urged the UK government to support exporters in next week’s budget amid weak global demand and higher costs.
ME
