Consumer spending

Viewpoint: Another nail in the consumer spending coffin

New warehouse data from WarehouseQuote reveals more insight into the retail industry’s outlook on the consumer this holiday season. Vacancy rates are up on the East and West coasts and we do not see any rush by retailers to fill the space. This latest data set not only shows the return to just-in-time inventories, but with the added fact of lower holiday orders this year, this information further illustrates the retail sector’s ho-hum expectations of a vibrant holiday spender.

“In 2023,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/viewpoint-another-nail-in-the-consumer-spending-coffin

Running on Ice: New reefer unit, who dis?

Hello, and welcome to the coolest community in freight! Here you’ll find the latest information on warehouse news, tech developments and all things reefer madness-related. I’m your controller of the thermostat, Mary O’Connell. Thanks for having me!

All thawed out
Photo: Carrier Transcold news release

Carrier Transcold is at it again. As one of the leading reefer unit manufacturers, the company continues to deliver new and improved equipment, most recently releasing engineless 40XR and 50XR truck...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/running-on-ice-new-reefer-unit-who-dis

Loaded and Rolling: Driver training surges; trucking M&A remains strong

Increasing demand for driver training programs 
(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Driver training schools are seeing an influx of those interested in joining the trucking industry. 

“We raised pay enough over the past two years that it’s caught people’s attention, and they are valuing the jobs that we are providing more now than they were a few years ago,” Rob Hatchett, president of fleet intel at Conversion Interactive Agency told Transport Topics, “But we’ve got to have more trainers so they can...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/loaded-and-rolling-driver-training-surges-trucking-ma-remains-strong

FTR: Dry van volume ‘holding quite strong’

Continued strength in the industrial and manufacturing sector could support freight transportation markets in the second half of 2022 despite softness within the consumer economy, FTR Associates said during a webinar on key issues in transportation.

“A slowdown is different than a recession. If we are in a recession, right now, I’ll take it. This is an environment that feels radically different than any other recession that I could ever tell you about,” said FTR President and CEO Eric Starks,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ftr-dry-van-volume-holding-quite-strong

Loaded and Rolling: Capacity crunch, transportation M&A, Cass Index spending records

Capacity crunch: Competition for carriers brings rising costs, new opportunities
(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Continued freight demand and limited truckload supply are allowing trucking companies to be selective with which loads to take, causing greater competition among shippers. Customer characteristics are playing a key role in contract and spot rate negotiations with carriers reevaluating their customer mix based on their experiences hauling for customers through pandemic-related...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/loaded-and-rolling-capacity-crunch-transportation-ma-cass-index-spending-records

CPG companies investing in new tech — The Stockout

Consumer spending rose again in August, according to the U.S. Commerce Department, and that means more money flowing into CPG companies. On this episode of The Stockout, Mike Baudendistel talks about how some companies are turning that income into tech investment. 

He welcomes Tom Madrecki, vice president of supply chain at the Consumer Brands Association, to discuss how CPG companies are using technology to improve their supply chain efficiency. They also talk about trends in the industry and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cpg-companies-investing-in-new-tech-the-stockout

What does current consumer sentiment mean for the freight industry?

Robust freight cycle hums along

The last two years have proven to be unusually volatile, even for the roller-coaster-ready logistics industry. While the need for essentials soared, demand was depressed across most sectors during the height of the pandemic. As states reopened and vaccines became available, consumers ventured out more and widespread economic recovery bloomed across the nation. 

This continuing economic resurgence – combined with the ongoing driver shortage, equipment shortage and long lead times on new truck...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-does-current-consumer-sentiment-mean-for-the-freight-industry

Are you shipping me?!? $32,000 container move from China to LA

A stack of ocean freight containers with dollar bills added to image to show how expensive shipping has become.

The blows to the global supply chain never seem to end in 2021, resulting in delays that have sharply reduced the system’s effective capacity and put upward pressure on shipping rates that began reaching record highs months ago. Purchasing ocean transportation has become so expensive that many companies with lower-value commodities can’t afford to import anymore, analysts and logisticians say.

Vessel operators have no extra ships to meet a tidal wave of freight demand, containers are in short...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/are-you-shipping-me-32000-container-move-from-china-to-la

Affirm Holdings acquires e-commerce returns specialist Returnly

Affirm Holdings, a company that specializes in providing “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) solutions for consumers, has reached an agreement to acquire e-commerce returns and post-purchase company Returnly.

Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM) will pay $300 million for Returnly. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of Affirm’s fiscal year, which ends June 30.

“Over the last few years, alongside the rapid growth of online shopping, consumers’ expectations of accommodations for returns and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/affirm-holdings-acquires-e-commerce-returns-specialist-returnly

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