U.S. Importers Ordering More, Restocking Shelves
(Material Handling & Logistics)
Importers who sell to America’s major retailers are preparing for a significant uptick in consumer spending this spring and summer according to a recent survey conducted by Capital Business Credit (CBC), a non-bank lender that services the retail sector.
According to the quarterly Global Retail Manufacturers and Importers Survey, 43.2% of respondents believe that the 2012 spring season will be stronger than 2011, and 40% believe that the 2012 summer season will surpass last year’s sales. Fears of a double dip seem to be declining, as an additional 40% of respondents believe that the spring and summer retail seasons will be at least as robust as last year’s.
“Retailers have played it very close to the vest for the past several years, fearful of overstocking the shelves,” said Andrew Tananbaum, executive chairman of CBC. “As consumers begin to open their pocketbooks again, importers and manufacturers are finally beginning to see increases in orders and re-orders. This is indicative that a stronger retail and economic recovery is underway.”
Forty percent of respondents indicated that retailers ordered more merchandise for the spring season as compared to last year. Twenty percent reported that orders stayed the same. An overwhelming 78.3% cited that they are receiving re-orders for spring merchandise—demonstrating stronger consumer demand than was initially anticipated. Read more here.
Date: March 20, 2012
