Imports Could Hit New Record as Busy Merchants Stock Up
July and August could be two of the busiest months ever seen for imports at the nation’s major retail container ports, possibly setting a new record as merchants enter the back-to-school season and begin to stock up for the holiday season that will follow, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates.
“We’re expecting retailers to import some of the largest volumes of merchandise ever,” said Jonathan Gold, NRF vice president for supply chain and customs policy. “That’s a good indicator of what could be ahead for consumer demand and retail sales, and it’s a sign that retail is going strong despite what you might read in the headlines.”