Import container volume in the United States is expected to increase 3.6 percent year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation.
For the year, imports are expected to be up 4.2 compared to 2014. Since this is when overseas retailers begin importing goods for the holiday season, both of those numbers bode well for this year’s Christmas season.
“Consumers might be out buying back-to-school supplies, but toys and sweaters are starting to show up on the docks,” said Jonathan Gold, the federation’s vice president for supply chain and customs policy, in a statement. “There are still some lingering congestion issues, but retailers are working with their supply chain partners to make sure all of that merchandise flows smoothly to store shelves.”
June shipments were down 2.6 in June month-over-month but were up 6.2 percent compared with June 2014, according to data the federation released Friday.