Import volume through major U.S. container ports should be nearly flat in January before rising this spring, the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates said in their monthly Global Port Tracker report.
“We’re headed into the slow season for cargo shipments, but forecasts indicate that retailers will be stocking up this spring in anticipation of a moderate recovery as the year progresses,” said Jonathan gold, NRF vice president for supply chain and customs policy. “Cargo volume doesn’t translate directly into sales volume, but when retailers import more it’s because they expect to sell more.”