Jonathan Gold

A report released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) says that the nation's major retail container ports are expected to see a record-breaking surge in cargo volume this October as retailers build up their inventories for the holiday shopping season. 

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.

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports should be up 0.3 percent in December compared with the same month last year as retailers head to the finish line of the holiday shopping season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

WASHINGTON — A report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates said that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports has started to decline for the fall, and November is forecast at 1.9% below the same month last year. The decrease is attributed to the fact that most retailers already have their holiday season merchandise either on their shelves or en route to their stores. “As always, retailers are being very strategic with their supply chains,” said Jonathan Gold, VP supply chain and customs policy for the NRF. “Although sales are expected to