As Retailers Worry About Port Strike, Imports Surge

Facing uncertainty over an unsettled labor dispute between West Coast dockworkers and the operators of port terminals and shipping lines, imports are expected to reach their highest monthly volume in at least five years in July, according to the Global Port Tracker report.

The report, released Wednesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, found that import volume is projected to spike 4.3 percent in July compared to the prior year.

It’s the latest month in a recent string of higher import volumes that began in the spring, which the NRF says is a result of retailers bringing in shipments early to ensure their shelves are stocked for the key back-to-school and holiday selling periods.

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