Business

How is food reaching you despite regional tensions?

Keeping supermarket shelves stocked has become a logistics exercise playing out across ports, highways and international corridors, with operators reworking supply chains to ensure food and essential goods continue to reach the UAE without disruption.

At the centre of that effort is DP World, which has been prioritising critical cargo from the outset, working closely with government entities, traders and manufacturers to keep imports moving even as traditional shipping patterns face pressure.

In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Ahmad Yousef Al Hassan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, said the approach has been structured around a clear hierarchy of needs, starting with food, pharma and agricultural inputs before moving to industrial supply chains that keep local production running.

“We work very closely with the government, especially a lot of the ministries, on the essential goods for the UAE. They fall into food and beverages, along with categories like milk, rice, animal feed and pharma,” he said.

Jebel Ali alone handled about 750,000 TEUs of essential goods last year, with roughly two-thirds tied to food and beverage shipments, providing a baseline for how much cargo needs to be protected during periods of disruption.

Mapping supply, not stockpiling

Instead of stockpiling, the focus has been on mapping demand and ensuring continuity of supply. Traders and manufacturers are being asked to identify their most critical imports, allowing DP World to prioritise cargo and route it through the fastest available channels.

“There’s enough essential goods, there’s no panic,” Al Hassan said, adding that the emphasis remains on keeping trade moving rather than building excess inventory.

That approach extends to sourcing as well. Where traditional suppliers face delays, alternative markets in India and Pakistan are being lined up, with feeder vessels used to move goods quickly into UAE ports. Other feeder operators have also been encouraged to follow the same prioritisation model to ease congestion and speed up turnaround times.

Cold chain gets added support

The fresh food supply has required additional intervention, particularly along longer inland routes. DP World has expanded refrigerated container capacity and introduced stopover solutions to maintain temperature control.

For instance, a dedicated inland facility has been introduced that allows refrigerated containers to plug in and stabilise before continuing their journey, reducing the risk of spoilage during extended transit.

“We have this reefer pit stop that will help out as well,” Al Hassan said, pointing to a broader push to reassure traders that temperature-sensitive cargo can be handled reliably.

Additional generator units have also been deployed to power refrigerated containers on trucks, giving logistics teams more flexibility across different corridors.

Global network steps in

The company’s international footprint is playing a central role in rerouting cargo flows. Ports in India and Pakistan are being used as staging points for transshipment, helping to keep eastern Gulf ports from becoming congested. For F&B alone, India and Pakistan together account for nearly 30% of the imports through Jebel Ali.

DP World is also using its integrated shipping and logistics solutions to design alternative routes and keep critical cargo moving efficiently across markets.

“This global network is what really pushes people to call us right away,” Al Hassan said, describing how customers are seeking real-time solutions to move construction materials, raw materials and food-related agricultural products.

Corridors expand across the region

Closer to home, multiple corridors are being activated to keep trade flowing. Routes through Fujairah and Khorfakkan are already operational, while discussions continue with Sohar Port in Oman to expand capacity and streamline processes.

Further north, DP World’s terminal in Jeddah is being used to absorb additional cargo, supported by ongoing talks between UAE and Saudi authorities to establish a bonded corridor that would allow smoother movement of goods between the two markets.

Each additional route adds flexibility for traders, reducing reliance on any single port or shipping lane.

Managing congestion to control costs

Even with supply holding steady, shipping and logistics costs have come under broader market pressure as diesel prices, insurance premiums, freight rates and other cost drivers evolve.

Al Hassan said that DP World’s focus is on keeping trade flowing efficiently and reducing congestion.

Faster clearance, better routing and coordinated planning help to ease pressures across the wider supply chain and limit the knock-on effect on end consumers.

Authorities are also closely monitoring prices, drawing on mechanisms developed during previous disruptions to maintain oversight across key categories.

Keeping the system balanced

The challenge is not only about moving food. Industrial supply chains must also remain active, from raw materials for manufacturing to equipment needed for ongoing projects.

Balancing these competing demands has required constant coordination among regulators, port operators, and private-sector players, ensuring that essential goods move first while maintaining sufficient capacity for broader trade.

The system has held so far, supported by a combination of planning, infrastructure and rapid decision-making.

That, according to Al Hassan, is what keeps shelves stocked without tipping into panic or shortage, even in a strained operating environment.

Business

White and Black Events & PR Announces New Expansion Phase Led by Nagham Amer, Including Regional Market Growth and the Launch of a Skincare Brand

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Black & White PR & Events has announced the start of a new phase of growth and expansion as part of a strategic plan aimed at strengthening its presence across regional markets and broadening its portfolio of services in line with the rapidly evolving public relations and marketing landscape.

Nagham Amer, Founder and Managing Director of Black & White PR & Events, said that the company’s next chapter will focus on expanding into high-potential markets, particularly Saudi Arabia and Libya, while further strengthening its presence in the UAE. This will be achieved through strategic partnerships and the delivery of integrated solutions across public relations, influencer marketing, event management, and media production.

Amer said:

“We believe that real growth is not defined solely by geographical expansion, but also by continuously enhancing our services and developing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the market. Our goal is to build a strong presence across regional markets while maintaining the quality and excellence that define everything we do.”

She added that the company is currently diversifying its service offering to include new areas within the beauty and lifestyle sectors, leveraging its extensive experience in managing marketing and communications campaigns for both regional and international brands.

Reflecting its long-term vision, Amer also revealed that the company is exploring the launch of its own skincare brand targeting the GCC and wider Arab markets. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to evolve beyond providing marketing services into developing and managing proprietary brands, creating additional value and supporting sustainable long-term growth.

Over the past several years, Black & White PR & Events has successfully delivered integrated marketing and media campaigns for leading brands across the beauty, fragrance, healthcare, and jewellery sectors. The company has also managed high-profile events and collaborations with some of the region’s most prominent influencers and celebrities, further strengthening its position as a strategic communications partner for brands seeking to expand across the GCC and the Arab world.

Concluding her remarks, Amer emphasized that the company’s next phase will focus on innovation, expanding its regional partnership network, and investing in high-impact projects that reinforce Black & White PR & Events’ position as one of the region’s leading public relations and marketing firms.

Business

Adidas narrows gap with Nike in World Cup sales

As the World Cup brand battle heats up, sportswear giant Adidas (ADSGn.DE), opens new tab appears to be getting a bigger boost than rival Nike, early data show.

Both companies are investing heavily in the tournament, but Nike (NKE.N), opens new tab is relying on it for sales and visibility as it tries to right its ship amid years of steadily leaking market share. ‌Investors will be looking for signs of progress next week when Nike reports fourth-quarter earnings.

Adidas, an official World Cup sponsor and a brand long associated with soccer, is sponsoring 14 teams and supplying the coveted match ball.

Nike is outfitting 12 national teams, partnering with local street-wear designers, and refreshing soccer merchandise at more than 5,000 Nike and wholesale stores globally.

But while both brands are poised to get a World Cup boost to their apparel businesses, Adidas is benefiting “to a greater degree thus far,” said Drake MacFarlane, a research analyst at M Science.

Spending on Adidas apparel surged 70% in May from the previous year and stayed strong into June, according to M Science data. MacFarlane attributed the ⁠trend to “substantial growth” in jersey sales ahead of the World Cup.

Nike’s apparel business is growing as well, he added, but that growth is being outpaced by Adidas, which has “the right set of product for the consumer.”

Foot traffic data tell a similar story.

Visits to Adidas’ U.S. stores surged 47% during the first week of the World Cup compared to 2026 averages, versus an 11% jump at Nike’s U.S. factory stores, according to data from Placer.ai, shared with Reuters.

For Adidas, those visits represented a 16% jump versus the same week last year — but for Nike, they represented a drop, Placer.ai found.

While the Nike data only covers outlet stores, the overall findings still indicate that Adidas “has been top of mind for shoppers and may have done a good job in its store activation around the event,” said Elizabeth Lafontaine, Placer.ai’s director of research.

British retailer JD Sports (JD.L), opens new tab said Mexico jerseys – which are supplied by Adidas – were its best-selling team kit during the week beginning June 15. Nike’s U.S. team jerseys took the second spot in total sales, the retailer said.

A bright spot for Nike: 28% of its World Cup merchandise in ‌the U.S. ⁠sold out during the first two weeks of the tournament – well above Adidas’ 7%, according to a report from LSEG this week.

FOOTWEAR IN FOCUS

Nike has had a strong presence at the World Cup.

A Reuters analysis found that 232 of the 528 World Cup starters so far have worn Nike boots, with Adidas close behind at 218. “Nike is right there” despite Adidas’ close association with FIFA, said David Swartz, an equity analyst at Morningstar. “Strong visibility … is good for its brand strength.”

World soccer’s governing body FIFA runs the tournament.

Nike could use the win: sales have fallen as demand for classic lines like Dunk and Air Jordan ⁠has cooled. Competition from newer players like On and Deckers (DECK.N), opens new tab has intensified, and analysts say the company has been slow to pivot to new styles.

While World Cup visibility can’t hurt, “at the end of the day it’s really all about the product,” said Mari Shor, senior equities analyst at Columbia Threadneedle, which holds Nike stock. “If [Nike’s] product isn’t resonating, the rest of it doesn’t matter.”

Nike’s share of the global sports footwear market ⁠has fallen from 29.2% in 2022 to 22.9% last year, according to Euromonitor International data, obtained by Reuters.

Nike and Adidas have lately traded blows.

In April, Nike entered exclusive talks to provide balls for certain UEFA soccer matches, a role that was Adidas’ for 25 years. Later that month, though, Kenyan Sabastian Sawe wearing new, ultra-light shoes from Adidas broke the two-hour marathon barrier, a ⁠coup as the two companies battle for sports innovation.

Nike CEO Elliott Hill, who took the helm in 2024, vowed to refocus Nike on key sports like soccer and running, saying the company had “lost its obsession with sport.”

Yet it remains the larger company by far, its footwear market share still nearly double second-place Adidas.

It’s “the biggest dog in the fight,” said Sarah Henry, a portfolio manager at Logan Capital Management. “It should be able to hit everybody else pretty hard.”

(Reuters)

Business

Hormuz relief may take time for UAE shoppers

The impact of lower oil and shipping costs could begin to appear within a few weeks, but it may take several months for these savings to fully pass through to retail prices and consumer goods, depending on supply chains and existing contracts, industry experts said.

The reopening and stabilisation of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to ease pressure on energy and freight costs, giving UAE residents the prospect of more stable fuel prices and gradual relief on some imported goods.

Consumers, however, should not expect an immediate drop in supermarket bills or retail prices. Many businesses are still working through stock bought when shipping costs were higher, while suppliers, insurers and freight companies will want to see stability hold before fully resetting prices and operations.

Haris Shaikh, CEO of Gallop Shipping in Dubai, said the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz allows oil, gas and goods to move normally again through one of the world’s most important trade routes, reducing concerns about supply disruption and easing pressure on energy and shipping costs.

“The impact of lower oil and shipping costs could begin to appear within a few weeks. However, it may take several months for these savings to fully pass through to retail prices and consumer goods, depending on supply chains and existing contracts,” he said.

The first signs of relief are likely to be felt in fuel and shipping costs, followed by goods that depend heavily on transport and energy expenses. Food products, transportation services and travel costs could also see some benefit over time if lower oil and freight costs are sustained.

Shaikh said UAE consumers should expect greater market stability and less price volatility in the coming weeks, but not “immediate or significant reductions in all prices,” because lower costs take time to move through the wider economy.

UAE ports stand to benefit

The deal is also expected to support the UAE’s trade and logistics sector by making shipping routes in the Gulf safer and more reliable.

Hiba Alemadi, CEO and Founder of Queen Gulf Capital, said safer routes should help lower shipping costs and increase the amount of cargo moving through UAE ports, although the return to normal operations will be gradual.

“The deal is good news for the UAE because it makes shipping routes in the Gulf safer and more reliable. This should help lower shipping costs and increase the amount of cargo moving through UAE ports. However, things may not return to normal right away. Shipping companies, insurers, and businesses will want to see stability over time before fully restoring operations,” she said.

In the longer term, she said the UAE is in a strong position to benefit from higher trade volumes because of its ports and logistics network, which can support growing regional business activity.

Freight rates may not fall quickly

Freight rates have increased significantly since March as businesses dealt with regional uncertainty, higher risk costs and disruption-related charges. Even with Hormuz reopening, industry executives expect the adjustment to be slow.

Alemadi said some exceptional charges, including drop-off, internal shifting and related operational costs, could reduce gradually if the situation stabilises. A significant reduction in freight rates, however, is unlikely in the immediate future.

This significantly impacts retailers and shoppers, as higher shipping costs are already built into the prices of many goods on shelves. Importers and retailers may need several delivery cycles before lower freight costs begin to show up in consumer pricing.

“The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is good news for UAE retailers and shoppers, but the benefits will not happen right away. Businesses need time to adjust, and many retailers are still selling products bought when shipping costs were higher. If the situation remains stable, shoppers could see more stable prices and better product availability over the next few months,” Alemadi said.

DP World prepares for higher vessel calls

DP World GCC said the de-escalation in regional tensions is an encouraging development for trade, with teams staying in contact with customers and shipping line partners as conditions evolve.

“At Jebel Ali, we have prepared extensively for the return of sea freight volumes through the Strait of Hormuz and our teams are primed and ready to manage the increase in vessel calls once shipping schedules begin to normalise,” said Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC.

He added that DP World’s immediate priority remains “keeping cargo moving safely and reliably” through its regional multimodal network, while giving customers the flexibility and visibility they need during this period.

A smoother return of vessels through Hormuz would support port activity, warehousing, trucking, re-exports and regional distribution, all of which are central to Dubai and the wider UAE’s role as a trade hub.

Oman and Iran back safe passage

The commercial outlook follows a joint statement issued by Oman and Iran after talks in Muscat during the visit of Iranian Parliament Speaker Dr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Dr. Abbas Araghchi.

Oman affirmed its support for the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United States and Iran, and said continued dialogue and coordination were important for its successful implementation.

Oman and Iran, the two coastal states bordering the Strait of Hormuz, reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring safe passage through the Strait in line with international law, while also stressing their sovereignty and sovereign rights over their respective territorial waters.

The two countries agreed to sustain dialogue through a joint working group between their foreign ministries. The group will discuss the future management of navigation in the Strait, including services and associated costs, while also engaging with littoral states in the region and other related parties.

What residents should expect now

The near-term impact for UAE residents is likely to be confidence and stability first, followed by gradual cost relief if the situation holds.

Lower uncertainty across global markets can support trade, investment and business planning. It can also help reduce pressure on household budgets if oil and shipping costs remain lower for an extended period.

The most evident consumer benefit over the next few months may be steadier prices and stronger availability, especially for imported goods that rely on shipping schedules. Significant price cuts will depend on how long the route remains stable, how quickly freight rates adjust, and when retailers replace higher-cost inventory with new shipments bought at lower logistics costs.