Retailers look to shift supply chain strategies, seek Red Sea Alternatives

Global shipping rates are skyrocketing as Houthi attacks in the Red Sea continue. Carriers avoiding the area are suffering from longer transit times around Africa, leading not only to higher costs but delayed deliveries and disruption throughout the global supply chain.  

Retailers especially are feeling the hurt, with delayed product deliveries of spring and summer goods, including clothing, footwear, home goods, electronics, patio furniture and pool supplies.

With the approach of Chinese New Year in February, retailers are also feeling a time crunch as they work to get their product out of China before the country shuts down. According to Matthew Burgess, vice president of global ocean services at C.H. Robinson, the ocean market typically sees volume increases several weeks before the holiday as companies move more freight before businesses across Asia go offline for at least two weeks.

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