16 Jul 2023

NRF Predicts Unprecedented Back-to-School Expenditure

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has released insights projecting unprecedented consumer spending on back-to-school and college items for the upcoming summer. According to the NRF’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, back-to-school spending is estimated to reach $41.5 billion this year, surpassing last year’s $36.9 billion and the previous record of $37.1 billion […]

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16 Jul 2023

Mexico Overtakes China as America’s Leading Trade Partner: The Rapid Transformation of the Global Economy

In the first four months of this year, Mexico has once again solidified its position as America’s top trading partner, facilitating a staggering $263 billion worth of goods exchanged between the two nations. This robust trade with Mexico accounted for 15.4% of goods exported and imported by the US, surpassing trade totals with Canada and […]

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15 Jul 2023

Yellen Raises China’s Hopes for Tariff Cuts, but US Politics Could Dash Them

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s visit to China has sparked optimism in Beijing that the Trump-era tariffs on Chinese imports could see some alleviation as she endeavors to improve relations between the two countries. However, the presence of robust anti-China sentiment within the US may pose significant obstacles to the realization of such tariff cuts. […]

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14 Jul 2023

POLB Trade Slows Down and Midyear Container Shipping Report Released

Trade activity at the Port of Long Beach (POLB) experienced a cooling trend in June as retailers worked to clear their warehouses. Last month, dockworkers and terminal operators handled a total of 597,076 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking a significant 28.5% decline compared to the same period in the record-setting June of 2022. Notably, imports […]

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13 Jul 2023

BCMEA and ILWU Canada Reach Tentative Agreement, Operations to Resume Shortly

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) is delighted to announce that after productive negotiations, a tentative agreement for a new 4-year deal has been reached, acknowledging the valuable skills and contributions of B.C.’s waterfront workforce. While the agreement is still pending ratification by both Parties, specific details will not be disclosed at this time. […]

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12 Jul 2023

Retailers Embrace the Power of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the retail industry through its seamless integration of automation, data analysis, and advanced machine learning algorithms. This powerful combination is elevating the customer experience, optimizing business performance, and significantly boosting profits for forward-thinking brands. As leading retailers have already embraced this cutting-edge technology to gain a competitive edge, analysts predict […]

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10 Jul 2023

Fashion Sustainability Faces an Uphill Battle with CEOs in the Current Economy

On July 30, there was an unexpected announcement from American firm Bolt Threads, revealing that the production of its mycelium-based leather alternative, Mylo, had come to a halt. Mylo had emerged as one of the most promising and innovative materials in the fashion industry. Notably, renowned designer Stella McCartney collaborated with Bolt Threads to test […]

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16 Jun 2023

Rebounding US Warehouse Demand Could Benefit from Resolution of West Coast Port Dispute

A potential strike that could have had adverse effects on the demand for industrial warehouses in North America’s thriving commercial property sector seems to have been avoided with a tentative agreement between union dockworkers and West Coast port operators. Late Wednesday, the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union announced that they […]

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14 Jun 2023

Impact of Panama Canal Load Restrictions and US Stevedore Strikes on the Global Shipping Sector

As the bustling summer season kicks off, labor disputes have disrupted the flow of shipping in the United States. Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have staged protests, resulting in congestion and delays at U.S. West Coast ports, as reported by CNBC. The average wait times for container vessels attempting to enter Los […]

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06 Jun 2023

Potential US Economic Recession May Not Eliminate the Peak Season

Despite the looming possibility of a US economic recession, different industry verticals may be impacted in various ways, and freight markets might not experience a severe downturn, according to a prominent transport analyst. Lee Klaskow, Senior Freight and Transportation Logistics Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, believes that while a US recession is probable, the destocking efforts […]

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