They used to just feature at school sports days and village fetes but the gazebo has become a must-have garden accessory this spring as preparations for gatherings at Easter prompt sales of garden furniture and accessories to go “crazy”.
Garden furniture, gazebos, outdoor pizza ovens and fire pits have been flying off the shelves in recent weeks as families prepare to reinstate their social lives outdoors under England’s “rule-of-six” Covid restrictions, which restart on Monday.
Argos and John Lewis are among the big names warning customers of stock shortages. The coronavirus pandemic is still causing major upheaval in the global shipping industry, and the situation could worsen in coming weeks because of the blockage of the Suez canal by the stricken container ship Ever Given. Read more…..
Chart of the Day
Icarus TV
The United States and China are in the trenches of a trade war, with damaging consequences for both sides. While China’s economy is dependent on exports, with nearly 20 percent of its exports going to the US, industries in the United States reliant on imports are also feeling the pressure on their supply chains and may look to shift production outside the US in order to avoid higher production costs at home. The Trump administration is betting that China will back down and American companies will profit from protectionism.
