Retailers ‘Well-Stocked’ for Holidays: NRF

While U.S. ports have remained busy this summer, this year’s busiest month appears to have been earlier than usual, in May, which has positive implications for the holiday shopping season. That’s the finding of the latest Global Port Tracker report from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“We had an early peak season this year as retailers brought in merchandise ahead of tariff changes in late July and responded to other uncertainties in the supply chain like the ongoing disruption brought by the conflict in Iran,” said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold. “One round of tariffs has been replaced with another, but retailers will be well stocked for the coming holiday season. Retailers know how to adapt to shifting situations and are well prepared to meet consumers’ demand for affordability and choice.”

Temporary 10% Section 122 global tariffs that took effect in February expired on July 23 but a new round of 10% to 12.5% Section 301 tariffs regarding forced labor covering 60 economies and affecting 99% of U.S. imports took effect the next day.

While a whole-year total is still pending, 2026 is expected to total 25.5 million TEU, up 0.1% from last year. Imports totaled 25.4 million TEU in 2025, down 0.3% from 25.5 million TEU in 2024.

The Global Port Tracker is based on data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast.