News

Industry Updates

March 25, 2022
NRF Forecasts Annual Retail Sales to Grow Between 6 Percent and 8 Percent 
The National Retail Federation issued its annual forecast, anticipating that retail sales will grow between 6 percent and 8 percent to more than $4.86 trillion in 2022. The announcement was made during NRF’s annual State of Retail & the Consumer virtual event where retail industry leaders discussed the strength of the consumer economy and the future of retail. The 2022 figure compares with 14 percent annual growth rate in 2021, the highest growth rate in more than 20 years. This year’s sales forecast is notably above the 10-year, pre-pandemic growth rate of 3.7 percent. NRF anticipates strong job and wage growth and declining unemployment. The organization projects full-year GDP growth will be slower this year, around 3.5 percent, given the surge of inflation and tightening of monetary policy and less fiscal stimulus. Retail sales are expected to remain strong as the economy opens further in the coming months, but there is considerable uncertainty this year that NRF will continue to monitor closely. | More Information


Firearm Retailer/Range Compliance Education
In 2022, NSSF®’s Firearm Retailer/Range Compliance Education will continue to offer FREE in-depth industry compliance training and insights for businesses operating within the firearms industry. NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, is committed to helping your company improve operations, public safety and the overall health of the firearms industry, and education is a key component to our combined success. These monthly live sessions will focus on topics central to our industry including ATF inspection preparedness, Straw Purchase awareness, improving store security, OSHA lead & noise compliance and much more. | More Information 


February another Record Month At The Port Of Los Angeles 
The Port of Los Angeles processed 857,764 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in February, a 7.3 percent increase compared to last year. It was the Port’s busiest February in its 115-year history and represents back-to-back record months to begin 2022. “The combined efforts of dockworkers, terminal operators and our waterfront partners have improved fluidity and productivity,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Since November, we’ve been able to increase the number of containers leaving our docks by 16 percent.” | More Information


February Retail Sales Rose Strongly Year-Over-Year While Monthly Pace Slowed Amid Inflation
Retail sales showed a strong year-over-year gain in February, but the monthly pace slowed compared with January as inflation drove up prices and lingering effects of the COVID-19 omicron variant affected the supply chain, the National Retail Federation said. The U.S. Census Bureau said overall retail sales in February were up 0.3 percent seasonally adjusted from January and up 17.6 percent year-over-year. That built on a monthly increase of 4.9 percent in January over December – more than a percentage point higher than the original estimate of 3.8 percent – and January’s 14 percent increase year-over-year. Despite occasional month-over-month declines, sales have grown year-over-year every month since June 2020, according to Census data. | More Information


Toy Association Alerts Members to New Supply Chain Challenges Emerging in  China
As The Toy Association continues to provide the latest updates and resources addressing the ongoing supply chain crisis, it is alerting members that new Chinese government-imposed lockdowns could cause further delays in supply chains in the coming months if the situation worsens. COVID-19 infection rates hit a two-year high in China last week leading to widespread lockdowns in major port cities − including the toy manufacturing hub of Shenzhen − as part of the country’s zero-COVID policy. While terminals are still operating normally for now, factories, warehouses, and distribution centers remain closed; trucking capacity is limited; and shippers are canceling cargo bookings in Shenzhen with freight being diverted to other ports, according to the latest reports. | More Information


Industry Updates

March 15, 2022

Registration Now Open for the 2022 NSSF Marketing & Leadership Summit
Join the industry’s leading executives and marketing professionals for two days of insights, education, and more networking opportunities than ever before at the first-ever NSSF Leadership and Marketing Summit from May 11-12, at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort right outside Austin, Texas. Combining elements from two of NSSF’s most popular events, the Industry Summit and CMO Summit, this is an industry super-conference you don’t want to miss. | More Information


New Toy Fair Everywhere Toy Buying Events Begin in March 
Toy and children’s product manufacturers looking for new ways to get their products on shelves are invited to participate in Toy Fair Everywhere’s new targeted product category events. March 21 kicks off the first month long spotlight on Outdoor Play and Sporting Goods sellers, focusing on products available for purchase by Memorial Day. Subsequent category market events planned through November include: Arts & Crafts (beginning April 18), Games & Puzzles (beginning May 16), Learning & Educational/School Supplies (beginning June 13), Infant and Preschool (beginning July 11), Apparel & Accessories, Costumes, Pretend & Role Play (beginning August 8), Dolls & Plush (beginning September 5), Gifts, Collectibles & Novelty (beginning October 5), and Licensed Brands (beginning October 31). | More Information

Industry Updates

January 21, 2022

NRF Says 2021 Holiday Sales Grew 14.1 Percent to Record $886.7 Billion 
Retail sales during 2021’s November-December holiday season grew 14.1 percent over 2020 to $886.7 billion, easily beating the National Retail Federation’s forecast and setting a new record despite challenges from inflation, supply chain disruptions and the ongoing pandemic, NRF said today. The number includes online and other non-store sales, which were up 11.3 percent at $218.9 billion. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants to focus on core retail. | More Information


Toy Fair New York 2022 Cancelled
The Toy Association, producer of Toy Fair New York, the largest toy, play, and youth entertainment marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, has announced the cancellation of Toy Fair New York, originally set to take place, February 19 to 22, 2022 at the Javits Center in New York City. | More Information

Industry Updates

December 30, 2021

Mastercard: U.S. Holiday Sales Grew 8.5 Percent
According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday retail sales, excluding automotive, increased 8.5 percent year-over-year this holiday season, running from November 1 through December 24. Notably, online sales grew 11.0 percent compared to the same period last year, its preliminary insights show. | More Information

Recall on GSM Outdoors Captain Hang-on Treestands
About 1,030 Captain Hang-on Treestands from GSM Outdoors are being recalled. According to the CPSC, the crimps of the plastic-coated cables can slip during use causing the standing platform to release, posing fall and injury hazards to users. GSM Outdoors has received ten reports of the treestand cables releasing and causing consumers to fall. Two injuries have been reported. | More Information

 
Keen Donates $100,000 to Tornado Victims in Kentucky 
With a distribution center just south of Louisville, Ky., footwear maker KEEN and its employees felt a direct effect from recent tornadoes that ripped through the state. “While the tornados struck about 20 miles away from our facility, the death and destruction hit home,” KEEN Effect Vice President Erik Burbank told Outside Business Journal, noting that the distribution center has a team of more than 130 employees.Burbank said that in the immediate aftermath of the storms, the company’s teams went into response mode, supporting both victims and first responders on the ground. Part of that response was a commitment of $100,000 in cash and products, split as $75,000 to United Way of Kentucky’s Kentucky Tornado Fund and $37,000 in boots to nonprofit Good360 to help get footwear to those who need it most. | More Information

Industry Updates

December 27, 2021

Port of Los Angeles Headed to Record Cargo Year 
The Port of Los Angeles is on track to break a new record for cargo in 2021, processing more volume than any port in the Western Hemisphere. With two weeks left in the year, the Port said it anticipates its final volume will be approximately 10.7 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), about 13 percent more than its previous record set in 2018. | More Information


Toy Fair ’22 Moves Forward with Strict Safety Protocols
The Toy Association continues to move forward with plans for Toy Fair New York, taking place February 19 through 22, 2022. “Providing an environment for the toy and play community to come together to connect, engage, and do business safely remains the essential top priority, and from the very beginning The Toy Association has required proof of vaccine and mask wearing for every person entering Toy Fair 2022,” said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO at The Toy Association. “While we recognize that the new variant has created uncertainty and it’s an evolving situation we monitor throughout each day, those planning to attend Toy Fair should know the Javits Center is among the safest venues in the country to come together.” | More Information

<<  <  1  2  3  4  5  ...  >  >>