Increased Port Traffic Shows Retailers' Optimism
But Looming Strike Could Slow Supply Chain
A May, 2024, increase of 7.5% in goods passing through US ports over May of last year indicates confidence among large retailers, according to Global Port Tracker reports. Jonathan Gold, vice president for Supply Chain and Customs Policy with the National Retail Federation (NRF) said, "We're experiencing the strongest surge in volume we’ve seen in two years, and that’s a good sign for what retailers expect in sales. Consumers can rest assured that retailers will be well-stocked and ready to meet demand as we head into the back-to-school and holiday seasons."
Increased port traffic is a predictor of consumer spending, but a looming strike could slow the pace.
(Photo Pexels.com)
U.S. ports covered by the report handled 2.08 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in May, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was up 3% from April and up 7.5% year-over-year, and was the highest number since 2.26 million TEU in August 2022.
Reports for June are not compiled yet, but Global Port Tracker projected volume of 2.1 million TEU, up 14.5% year-over-year. July is forecast at 2.21 million TEU, up 15.5% year-over-year.
All this bodes well for expected consumer demand through the end-of-year holiday shopping season.
A Fly in the Ointment?
Supply chain issues continue in some quarters, but in June contract negotiations broke down between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance. A letter to President Joe Biden from more than 150 groups including the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, called on the administration to work to resume contract negotiation to ensure no disruption of port operations.
"With all these existing challenges, the last thing the supply chain, companies and employees — all of which rely on the movement of goods, both imports and exports, through our East Coast and Gulf Coast ports — need is a strike or other disruptions because of an ongoing labor negotiation," the letter stated.
The current agreement, which covers about 45,000 dockworkers at facilities including six of the 10 busiest US ports, expires September 30.
Quick Industry News
TRADE SHOW NEWS
Virtual Trade Show Is Live
Once again, OmegaNet, publisher of this newsletter, is conducting a VIRTUAL trade show at giftshowspecials.com where you can view information, images and videos from vendors about their lines and see their trade show dates, locations and specials.
NEW WHOLESALE WEBSITES
John Henry's Food Products has a new B2B website. Growing up in East Texas, John Henry has wonderful memories of summer picnics, county fairs and great barbeque. So East Texas flavor is what he had in mind when he created his award winning barbeque sauces, spices and rubs. His strive for perfection and superb taste are the concepts behind everything he does.
Featured Vendors
indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.
Ala Carte Alice
Click for Details
Ala Carte Alice's mission is simple: to provide the best products and service to their customers and use the freshest ingredients that they can find. Alice Wooten takes great pride in her company, their commitment to customer service and in the products they sell. Ala Carte Alice’s products include savory sauces, red dog rubs, glazes, relishes and jams. Black and Blue Bacon, Creme Brulee and Sante Fe are just some of the yummy cheese balls Alice offers. In addition, there are mouth watering desserts, party dips and awesome entrees. You have go to try Ala Carte Alice for an excellent cullinary experience!
Beach Walks and God Talks
Click for Details
"Beach Walks and God Talks" is a full-color book by Karen Ellison of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The full-color glossy pages of this Christian devotional gift book take your customers on a beach-combing journey where they will find treasures from the sea and for their souls. Each double page spread features an inspirational story set at the beach with stunning photography and enriching sidebars. Your customers will find themselves peacefully reflecting on God's love for them as revealed through His creation. Endorsed by Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family, they will want one for themselves and more as gifts. It is an especially meaningful Christian Christmas gift.
Cin Chili
Click for Details
Cindy Reed Wilkins, aka The Chili Queen, is a legend in the chili community. Cindy has won an extraordinary 15 first-place awards, over 100 total, in the world of championship red chili. For 35 years, she's been tweaking her best chili recipe, from the size of her beef cubes to her secret blend of powdered chili spices. Cin Chili & Company has grown since it's conception in 2005, from one awesome product to seventeen and counting.
Drew DeRose
Click for Details
Drew DeRose's lines run from tabletop to decorative figurines and include candle holders, cannisters and cookie jars. All products are colorful and original. The company has a creative staff that designs merchandise for Drew DeRose Designs.
Dutch House Caramels
Click for Details
Dutch House Caramels was founded in 1997, when the owners of Bayfields Bake Shop & Grill, in Alexandria, Minnesota developed a recipe for caramel candy and started making the product in the restaurant. Today the company features caramels in a variety of assortments and gift boxes.
EMV Trading
Click for Details
EMV's products are deeply inspired by nature with an emphasis on creating beautiful lasting memories. The company's vast selection of unique products complements fine jewelry stores or gift/souvenir shop. EMV jewelry is perfect for any occasion, ranging from formal to casual events with specialization in Hawaiian Koa jewelry and also offering: license plates, shells and pearls jewelry, sterling silver/stainless steel/tungsten/wood collections, assorted natural gemstones and stone fashion jewelry.
Fancy That Gift & Décor
Click for Details
Fancy That Gift & Decor, Inc. celebrated its 18th anniversary in August, 2019. Owners, Steve and Carmen Mendelson, have used their experience in gift and home decor to build a company that takes pride in providing quality Coastal Decor products and service with the highest levels of integrity always at the forefront.
G I Jerky
Click for Details
What started out as a snack to take to the field, quickly turned into other paratroopers at Fort Bragg, NC, wanting to purchase the snack. Over the next year, pounds and pounds of GI Jerky was made in the 82nd Airborne barracks and sold to soldiers all over post. G I Jerky says "We manufacture all of our jerky to the highest USDA standards. All of our jerky is sliced, smoked and then bagged in a USDA facility. When you open a bag of GI Jerky, you can be sure that you are eating the highest quality jerky that money can buy!"
Gina B. Designs
Click for Details
Gina B. Designs is an award-winning greeting card, gift and stationery products company featuring exceptional art and design. With an array of styles, variety of products and outstanding customer service, Gina B. Designs has "something for everyone." All products are proudly made in the U.S.A.
Global Building Blocks
Click for Details
Global Building Blocks features the D'Ora Bamboo line of garment racks with shelves. A family-owned business founded in the United Kingdom, Global Building Blocks' the prime objective is to offer a range of household products made using sustainable alternatives. The company is dedicated to ensuring your purchase meets our three core goals of which are quality assured, authentically pleasing and durability.
The Great San Saba River Pecan Company
Click for Details
The Great San Saba River Pecan Company is located in a huge pecan orchard near San Saba in Texas. The company's products include Preserves in a variety of flavors, Toppings, "Popin" Popcorn Pecan Snack and Pecan Pie in-a-Jar.
John Henry's Food Products
Click for Details
Growing up in East Texas, John Henry has wonderful memories of summer picnics, county fairs and great barbeque. So East Texas flavor is what he had in mind when he created his award winning barbeque sauces, spices and rubs. His strive for perfection and superb taste are the concepts behind everything he does.
Magnolia Lane Collection
Click for Details
At Magnolia Lane, our desire is to produce gifts that become part of celebrations, memories, and family treasures. Our licensed tailgating products, Christmas line, The South collection, and outdoor decor will enhance and compliment every occasion! We are proud of what we do and are ever grateful and dedicated to our customers.
Mills Gourmet
Click for Details
Mills Gourmet says, "Our products are available in our local area and throughout the US! Every gourmet mix we cultivate is made from scratch right here in our kitchen with the same needs in mind---taste, quality and affordability. We are proud of every single product in our inventory, and we promise our unique blends will give you a taste of real goodness!"
Mountaineer Floral
Click for Details
Mountaineer Floral, LLC, is a family-owned silk floral wholesale company specializing in silk flower bushes, silk floral Styrofoam, decorative silk sympathy designs, baskets, and ribbon (seasonal, shear, tuxedo, and floral satin). Over the past 30 years, The company has built relationships with customers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Mountaineer Floral's business is a blend of high quality products at reasonable prices. The company is family owned and operated, now in the third generation.
Pure Factory Naturals
Click for Details
Pure Factory Naturals collections, including Flip Flop Foot Repair,Splash. The collection includes lip balm, foot repair, body lotion, hand cream, solid lotion bar, salt glow, skin repair.
Pure Mana Hawaii
Click for Details
Pure Mana Hawaii Founders Sue Mandini and Kollette Stith bring the wisdom of living close to the land and in harmony with nature's rhythms to the marketplace in their luxury skincare line. Built from the ground up, the brand features wild harvested ingredients and a synergy of raw, wild macadamia nut oil and green coffee bean oil, grown on their family's certified organic farm, Mahina Mele in Hawaii.
Quintessential Chocolates
Click for Details
Quintessential Chocolates specializes in the centuries old art form of casting “Liqueur Praliné” or the European style Liquid Center Chocolates (“with a sugar crust”). The process the company uses is more than 200 years old. Quintessential is the only manufacturer of this specialty confection in America and has been creating these chocolates since 1984.
Red Carpet Studios, Ltd.
Click for Details
Red Carpet Studios, Ltd. features All Jazzed Up™ Fashion Accessories for Fall & Spring. A wide range of Giftware for the Home & Garden. Visit our website for New Products & Specials.
Reginas Farm Kitchen
Click for Details
Small-batch artisan fruit spreads from Regina's Farm Kitchen® are made from the heart, the old-fashioned way. With only real fruit, no preservatives, artificial sweeteners or thickeners. Each of our unique flavors is carefully crafted to ignite your culinary curiosity or jazz up your next event. We invite you to try us.
Rudolph and Me
Click for Details
Joe and Sue Brielmann have taken their combined experience of over 28 years in personalized products and design to create one of the fastest growing cart businesses in the country. Their creative ability, attention to detail, and the highest standards for quality and customer support, are among the reasons Rudolph and Me has experienced such huge growth.
Samuel Lamont USA
Click for Details
Founded in 1835, Samuel Lamont is a family run business that continues to manufacture kitchen textiles and provide luxury homeware and giftware. They offer the popular Poli-Dri Tea Towels, Aprons and so much more.
Sunset Vista Designs
Click for Details
Sunset Vista Designs offers you extra margin opportunities, and sells thru at retail. They offer innovative designs, in proven products, with space saving merchandising solutions, and attractive package deals that all add value to the quality products we offer. Many say this is the "best ever" line of innovative gift, garden, and home decor.
Tizo Design
Click for Details
Lines include Tizo and Siena frames in a variety of styles and colors plus elegant candleholders from tea lights to pillar candles. The site also features boxes and trays in a variety of materials.
The Whitehurst Company
Click for Details
The Whitehurst Company has roots in the Christmas and Home Holiday industry dating back to 1947, first started by Mr. and Mrs. Morris Whitehurst. Now owned and managed as a multi-generation, family-owned business, The Whitehurst Company offers you a wide selection of holiday decor. Products include the largest selection of solid colored ornaments, curated collections of European glass molds, along with licensed products that include Zim’s Elves Themselves, Zim's Collectible Heirloom Nutcrackers and Children of the Inner Light by Marci inspirational ornaments.
Billy Joe Homewares