freight volumes

NRF retail sales forecast says ‘Party on, freight markets’

This is an excerpt from Thursday’s (2/25) Point of Sale retail supply chain newsletter sponsored by ArcBest.

Retail sales are expected to grow this year between 6.5% and 8.2%, amounting to more than $4.33 trillion, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual sales forecast released Wednesday. 

Preliminary results indicate retail sales grew 6.7% in 2020, despite the challenges from the global health crisis. That total nearly doubles the NRF original forecast of 3.5% prior to the pandemic...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/nrf-retail-sales-forecast-says-party-on-freight-markets

Volvo Group reports lower 2020 sales but strong profit margins

From the depths of a pandemic-impacted second quarter, Sweden’s Volvo Group (OTC: VLVLY) finished 2020 with lower sales but a strong profit margin. New truck orders surged between the third and fourth quarters.

“We demonstrated that we have significantly improved our volume and cost flexibility, which were crucial factors behind our earnings resilience in 2020,” President and CEO Martin Lundstedt said.

Volvo revenues fell 22% — almost SEK 100 billion ($11.8 billion) — compared to a year earlier....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/volvo-group-reports-lower-2020-sales-but-strong-profit-margins

Despite losing momentum late, holiday sales surprise to the upside

This is an excerpt from Thursday’s Point of Sale retail supply chain newsletter.

Despite retail sales declining sequentially each of the last three months of the year, the 2020 holiday shopping season was one for the record books. Retail sales during 2020’s November-December holiday season grew an unexpectedly high 8.3% over the same period in 2019. The 8.3% increase was more than double the 3.5% average holiday increase over the previous five years, including 2019’s 4% gain. 

(Chart: National...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/despite-losing-momentum-late-holiday-sales-surprise-to-the-upside

The Daily Dash: Freight bulls running wild; Chao bids farewell

The Daily Dash is a quick look at what is happening in the freight ecosystem. In today’s edition, the freight bull market is showing no signs of abating as stimulus money hits the pocketbooks of Americans. Plus, Elaine Chao notes the challenges transportation faces in 2021 and expands on her reasons for resigning as transportation secretary, and trucking added more jobs in December.

Bulls keep running

The stage is set for a historically strong Q1 for freight and consumers flush with recent...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/the-daily-dash-freight-bulls-running-wild-chao-bids-farewell

Are brokers overpaying? — #WithSONAR

with sonar header

Carriers making money off brokers this week

As 2021 starts, freight markets remain tight and capacity is still strained post-holiday season. 

Luke Falasca and Kyle Taylor start off the first episode of 2021 with a look at the high volumes of freight shippers still have to move; they poke fun at the memes that surrounded holiday package delays and the delays that are still continuing. 

They say that there are slow indications of volumes trending down, but when compared to where volumes were this...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/are-brokers-overpaying-withsonar

2020 closes with plenty (of freight) left in the tank

Chart of the Week:  Daily Customs Shipments, Outbound Tender Reject Index – USA SONAR: CSTM.USA, OTRI.USA

This final 2020 edition of the chart of the week combines the two most relevant statistics of the year: maritime import shipments and tender rejection rates. Before the pandemic, the two measures had little connection to each other. In 2019, container imports had time to sit in warehouses as shippers were able to plan and prepare for seasonal purchasing patterns to reemerge, allowing them to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/2020-closes-with-plenty-of-freight-left-in-the-tank

The Daily Dash: YRC loan under congressional scrutiny; LTL tonnage climbs

The Daily Dash is a quick look at what is happening in the freight ecosystem. In today’s edition, members of Congress have some questions about a government loan that was granted to YRC Worldwide. Plus, freight tonnage continues climbing in the less-than-truckload segment and prosecutors have asked an appeals court panel for a reversal of a decision that tossed out the conviction of ex-Pilot CEO Mark Hazelwood.

Congressional scrutiny

A controversial government loan to YRC Worldwide (NASDAQ: YRCW)...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/the-daily-dash-yrc-loan-under-congressional-scrutiny-ltl-tonnage-climbs

Will the import boom lead trucking to an active ‘off’ season?

Chart of the Week:  US Customs Maritime Import Shipments, Outbound Tender Volume Index – USA SONAR: CSTM.USA, OTVI.USA

Imports and truckload tenders have been moving in near lockstep since mid-May as the U.S. crawls out of the pandemic-induced recession. With elevated import volumes forecast to continue into 2021, this could mean trucking may have a stronger opening quarter even after the traditional holiday peak season ends. 

Prior to COVID-19, the connection between imports and domestic...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/will-the-import-boom-lead-trucking-to-an-active-off-season

The Daily Dash: Volumes and rates begin receding; Cold Chain Summit coverage; CDL fraud

The Daily Dash is a quick look at what is happening in the freight ecosystem. In today’s edition, freight volumes and rates have taken a step back in October after reaching near-historic highs, but it may only be a temporary reprieve for shippers. Plus, complete coverage of FreightWaves’ Cold Chain Summit and a new report highlights the toll CDL fraud is having on the industry.

Lull takes hold for carriers

Freight volumes, rejections and spot rates have all declined from near-historic highs in...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/the-daily-dash-volumes-and-rates-begin-receding-cold-chain-summit-coverage-cdl-fraud

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