Logistics
Retail Imports Up as Holiday Shopping Continues
Retail imports should be up 3.2% this month vs. 2015, as stores bring in the last of holiday merchandise, according to the monthly global port tracker from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. The numbers come as NRF is forecasting $655.8 billion in holiday sales, a 3.6% increase over last year. The NRF saw the increase as a good sign for both the retail industry and the economy overall heading into the latter part of the holiday rush.
Peak Season Impact of Hanjin Shutdown Remains Unclear
A little over a month after major Korean freighter line Hanjin shut down due to financial issues, the effects are still being felt by retailers in terms of shipment delays from Asia. But it remains unclear what impact it will have on the peak holiday season starting on Cyber Weekend. See how the crisis affected shipments by Ascena Retail Group.
FedEx Rate Changes to Hit Ecommerce Shippers Hard
The recently announced rate changes from FedEx reflect both the continual cat-and-mouse game with main rival UPS, as well as a bigger hit on ecommerce shippers as carriers look to recover the higher cost of moving more and more online orders. See what analysts and experts have to say about the impact of the new rates.
