State of Trade 2016

Executive Summary
Amid a number of economic uncertainties, global trade professionals shared their views on their expectations for 2016.

Based on their responses, here is what we anticipate for the year ahead:

• Wary of the year ahead: less than half of respondents report being optimistic for 2016 - a stark fall from past years’ surveys.
• Firms unmoved by TPP: companies are nearly split on long-term adjustments, but a surprisingly low number plan to take action this year.
• Even faster fashion: retailers are adjusting their supply chains to meet demand, but not all are convinced they can pull it off.
• Chinese firms express uneasiness: Rising costs have domestic firms searching elsewhere for suppliers.
• Logistics shake ups: consolidation should help ease the difficulties of shipping process, but customers are also concerned with rising prices.