Retailers Import at Pre-Pandemic Levels This Holiday Season As Consumer Spending Normalizes

This holiday season, U.S. retailers are importing like it is 2019 as consumer spending normalizes after a COVID-driven spending spree.

U.S. ocean container import growth in 2022 is within 2.5% of 2019 levels, indicating demand is stabilizing.

Retailers seem to be moving back to just-in-time inventory strategies after getting stuck with excess inventory when shoppers shifted spending.

September imports were up 8% vs 2019, the biggest divergence this year, possibly indicating pre-holiday stocking up.

Analysts say the September import rise could show retailers are importing based on consumer signals rather than rushing in backup supplies.