U.S. Import Boom Will Slow, Warning

(International Freighting Weekly – Mike King)

Economic indicators look bleak as retailers become cautious

The U.S. container import surge will slow as the spate of recent poor economic forecasts prompt more caution among retailers, according to market analyst Ben Hackett. “The latest economic indicators are starting to look bleak, including consumer confidence, industrial production and employment numbers,” said the founder of Hackett Associates. “Sales will be slower in July and August, that much is certain. Inventories will rise, resulting in some sharp seasonal volume reductions.”

According to the latest Global Port Tracker report, from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, double-digit year-on-year import volume growth at U.S. ports will “taper off” in the autumn as “retailers cautiously manage their inventories”. Read more here.