globalEDGE Blog

Gone are the days when a rising tide could be said to lift all boats. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, sea levels rose almost twice as much between 1993 and 2010 as they did over the previous century. Its forecast is for a rise of 0.93 meters by the year 2100. Yet another recent study from May 2019 indicates that sea levels at the end of the century could surge by over 2 meters. 

The production of orange juice dates all the way back to the 1500s, when Spanish explorers planted the first Orange Trees in Florida, United States. However, it wasn’t commercialized until almost 300 years later when industrial innovations allowed greater product distribution. Since then, the orange juice market has dramatically expanded and has now become a breakfast staple for consumers all around the world.

The latest generation of hires, Generation Z, is currently under scrutiny by employers across various industries. Discussions are occurring regarding Gen Z’s dispositions, communication styles, and overall work experience. But what exactly is Generation Z? Generation Z, often referred to simply as Gen Z, includes individuals born between 1997 and 2012. This generation directly follows Generation X.

Social media platforms have evolved far beyond their original purpose of connecting people; they have transformed into major shopping hubs. This shift has significantly impacted global markets, especially in countries like the U.K. and Indonesia, where consumers have fully embraced the seamless integration of shopping into their social media experiences.

The United States Federal Reserve’s recent move to lower interest rates signals a significant change in the current state of the world economy. This change is expected to impact global and US economies following years of rate increases intended to contain inflation. Lower interest rates in the US are anticipated to encourage business funding and consumer spending, supporting industries under strain. For example, if mortgages become cheaper, potential purchasers previously discouraged by high borrowing costs may become more active in the property market.

Jeans are one of the most significant statement pieces of clothing created, and most people wear them at least once at some point in their lives. The word ‘denim’ originally comes from a type of twill fabric called ‘Serges de Nimes’ from France that weavers first used to create their type of jeans. This comes with their first use of natural indigo on the pants to produce the vibrant blue color we know today.

While the U.S economy has been strong through 2024 following the pandemic, the European economy has lagged. Germany and the U.K., the two largest European economies, narrowly avoided a recession. This is partly due to lower government spending, resulting in lower consumer and private spending.

Venezuela’s 2024 crisis, sparked by a disputed election, has deepened the country’s economic collapse, affecting businesses worldwide. While political instability has been a recurring problem in Venezuela for years, the 2024 election—marked by allegations of fraud and unrest—has intensified the country's economic freefall.

Coffee is making headlines for the wrong reasons lately, with prices reaching all-time highs! Climate change, changing farming practices, and limited supplies are shaking up one of the world’s favorite brews. Let’s spill the beans on what’s brewing in the coffee world!

The electric vehicle market has been enormously increasing over the past decade. Large companies such as the Chinese BYD and the American Tesla focus solely on EV production and have become some of the largest companies in the world. At the same time, most other large automotive companies have set lofty EV production goals for the near future.