Executive Summary

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” shows how booming online retail in China could make it easier for foreign brands to enter the market.
• In the US, continuing jobless claims fell to 1.65 million in the week ended April 5 from 1.71 million in the previous week.
• In the UK, retail sales excluding automotive fuel grew 4.4% year over year in March, above the 4.0% growth recorded in February.
• Latin America: Colombia recorded a trade surplus of $580.8 million in February, versus the $1.02 billion deficit recorded in January.