On June 16, President Joe Biden signed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA22, S. 3580) into law. This followed the House’s June 13 passage of the Senate version 369-42 in response to White House pressure for House Democrats to accept the Senate bill and quickly get a much-needed victory to the President’s desk. This rare and meaningful bipartisan achievement will…
CONTINUE READINGArchives for June 2022
Container Volume is Starting to Soften
The global economy is slowing down. Consumer confidence is also starting to wane. As a result, the containership industry is starting to see a softening in global container volume. U.S. importers are watching closely to see how this global softening impacts rates and capacity in the Asia-to-U.S. market. The initial impact is clear. Spot rates from Asia to the U.S. are on the…
CONTINUE READINGCongestion Switching to East Coast Ports
Shippers are watching how the contract talks between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) will play out during the month of June. Key players on both sides have indicated they expect a smooth negotiation process even if a contract is not concluded by the June 30, 2022 expiration date. Shippers are hoping negotiations…
CONTINUE READINGIdentify and Capitalize Growth Through Exports
By Thomas A. Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International The United States exported $2.53 trillion in goods and services in 2021, an increase of 18.5% over 2020. Of that, $1.76 trillion were goods, according to the US Census Bureau of Economic Analysis. Expanded opportunity awaits the US housewares industry. This four-part blog series, provided by Blue Tiger…
CONTINUE READINGU.S. Retail Intelligence – May
May 31 – Bed Bath & Beyond Rolls Out Everhome Brand In another expansion of its “owned-brand” range, Bed Bath & Beyond is officially launching Everhome, which it characterizes as a casually sophisticated collection of furniture and furnishings, bedding, bath linens and accessories, decor, outdoor decor and tabletop, and storage and organization now available in-stores,…
CONTINUE READINGUSTR China Tariff Review Process Underway
As required by law, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced May 3 that it has initiated a four-year “review of necessity” process for tariffs on Chinese imports under Sec. 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. In a May 10 speech, President Joe Biden said combating inflation is his top domestic priority citing the pandemic, supply chain issues and war in Ukraine as the primary…
CONTINUE READINGCongestion Switching to East Coast Ports
Shippers are watching how the contract talks between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) will play out during the month of June. Key players on both sides have indicated they expect a smooth negotiation process even if a contract is not concluded by the June 30, 2022 expiration date. Shippers are hoping negotiations…
CONTINUE READINGHeart of the Community
Jamie Butler went from running a kitchen and homewares business from a retro-inspired truck that became a well-known attraction at farmers’ markets, to owning a much-loved store that has community firmly in its heart. by Michelle Hespe Jamie Butler has always loved beautiful and useful pieces for the home and kitchen and built up a career as a homewares buyer.…
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