Record Imports Expected in August

Import volume at major U.S. container ports is expected to hit an all-time record in August as retailers concerned about the lack of a West Coast longshoremen's contract rush to bring holiday season merchandise into the country, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. "The negotiations appear to be going well but each week that goes by makes the situation more critical as the holiday season approaches," NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.