Marketplace · Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Retailers are preparing for the holiday season by ordering inventory in advance due to concerns about rising containerized freight rates and potential new tariffs. Kristen Schwab reported that business owners are feeling more certain than a year ago but are still cautious, leading to increased advance purchasing.
“Because even though summer's in full swing, right about now is when companies are preparing for the holidays.”
“Containerized freight rates have reached their highest prices in nearly two years. In part because business owners are trying to rush in holiday inventory before new tariffs are expected to begin.”
“I was really just afraid of another erratic unexpected tariff coming. So I stocked up.”