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How the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Is Hitting Your Wallet Right Now

Published May 17, 2026  |  Category: Oil Prices & Energy  |  By MoneySavings.ca If you've winced lately at the gas pump or noticed your grocery bill creeping up, you're not imagining it. A geopolitical crisis unfolding halfway around the world — at a narrow strip of water between Iran and Oman — is directly squeezing Canadian budgets. Here's everything you need to know, and what you can do about it. What Is the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway just 33 kilometres wide at its tightest point, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Despite its modest size, it is the world's single most critical energy chokepoint. Before this crisis, roughly 20 million barrels of oil moved through it every single day — about 20% of all the world's seaborne oil supply, plus significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Think of it as the world's energy jugular vein. When it gets blocked, the entire planet feels it. What Happened? On Februa...

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Amazon Prime Day Sales Projected to Reach $14 Billion: A Shopping Extravaganza

 

Shoppers are gearing up for Amazon’s annual Prime Day, a two-day shopping event that’s expected to break records. According to projections from Adobe Analytics, a firm specializing in e-commerce transaction data, consumers are likely to spend approximately $14 billion during this year’s Prime Day.

What to Expect:

  • Date: Prime Day typically takes place in July, but this year, Amazon shifted it by five days on the calendar.
  • Sales Momentum: Day 1 of Prime Day 2023 already set a sales record, although Amazon doesn’t disclose total figures. Last year, shoppers spent $12.7 billion during Prime Day, a 6.1% increase from the previous year.
  • Back-to-School Bargains: Prime Day has become a season for savvy shoppers seeking deals on back-to-school essentials like clothing, electronics, and dorm supplies.
  • Competition: Rivals like Walmart and Target are launching their own July discounts to compete with Amazon’s shopping extravaganza.
  • Consumer Behavior: After years of high inflation, shoppers are now more willing to spend, using Prime Day as an opportunity to shop for back-to-school items.

In summary, Prime Day isn’t just about discounts; it’s a retail phenomenon that transforms July into a bargain-hunting season. As consumers flock to Amazon, other retailers are vying for a slice of the $38.8 billion projected to be spent on back-to-school merchandise this summer. So, get ready to click and save during this shopping bonanza! 

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