The global chocolate industry is grappling with a steep rise in cocoa prices, leading to significant changes for producers and consumers alike. This unprecedented surge, driven by unusual weather patterns and long-standing structural challenges, has sent shockwaves through the market, forcing chocolate manufacturers to rethink recipes, pricing, and sourcing strategies.

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan take a deep dive into the cocoa crisis, unpacking the causes and consequences of rising prices. They analyze how unseasonal El Niño rains have severely impacted West African cocoa production, highlighting the underinvestment in farms and crop diseases that have worsened the supply issues. With 60% of cocoa futures contracts held by speculators, market volatility is further inflating costs, leading chocolate manufacturers to implement measures like "shrinkflation" and recipe changes to navigate this complex market.

Listeners looking to enhance their business English, Skip and Dez's conversation is a great learning resource. Key points include:

1. Cocoa prices have soared over 300% in just one year, driven by environmental and economic factors.
2. Chocolate manufacturers are altering their product recipes and resorting to "shrinkflation" to offset costs.
3. Speculation in cocoa futures contracts has contributed significantly to price inflation, with investors holding around 60% of the contracts.

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Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

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The Body Shop, once a leader in ethical consumerism and a pioneer in brand activism within the cosmetics industry, has faced a dramatic downturn. This episode of Down to Business English examines the rise and fall of a company that set the standard for corporate responsibility but has recently struggled with bankruptcy and ownership changes.

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega unpack the history of The Body Shop, from its humble beginnings in 1976, through its global expansion, to its recent financial struggles and restructuring. The episode not only covers the company’s business strategies but also highlights the impact of its ethos on the industry and what happens when a brand loses its way.

Listeners looking to enhance their business English, Skip and Samantha’s conversation is a great learning resource. Key points include:

1. The origins of The Body Shop, from its beginnings to its rapid global expansion.
2. The concept of brand activism and how The Body Shop integrated it into their business model.
3. The controversies and criticisms faced by The Body Shop.
4. The impact of corporate acquisitions on The Body Shop's brand identity and customer loyalty.

Become a D2B Member today for to access to audio scripts, bonus vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes.

Visit d2benglish.com/membership for more information.

Follow Down to Business English on Apple podcasts, rate the show, and leave a comment.

Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

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Skip Montreux on Linkedin

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Learn how sports betting went from being a national concern to a booming industry in the USA, all while picking up sports-related idioms and expressions that cross over into business English.

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega look at the world of sports betting in the USA. From the 1919 World Series scandal to the monumental shift in 2018 when sports betting became legal in many states, they cover the evolution of this billion-dollar industry. Along the way, they explore the crossover of sports idioms into business English, enriching listeners' business vocabulary.

Listeners looking to enhance their business English, Skip and Samantha’s conversation is a great learning resource. Key points include:

1. The historical backdrop of sports betting in the US.
2. How the internet revolutionized sports betting.
3. The role of fantasy sports in normalizing betting behaviors.
4. Sports and gambling expressions that are commonly used in business English.

Become a D2B Member today for to access to audio scripts, bonus vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes.

Visit d2benglish.com/membership for more information.

Follow Down to Business English on Apple podcasts, rate the show, and leave a comment.

Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

Follow Skip & Dez

Skip Montreux on Linkedin

Skip Montreux on Facebook

Dez Morgan on Twitter

RSS Feed