TGA Industry News Briefs

July 29, 2021

Not Business as Usual Travel Gear

Have a product tailored to both traveling professionals and daily commuters — one that helps organize and add ease to work travels? TGA wants to know about it for an upcoming story. As remote workers transition back to the office or into a hybrid work week, they need hardworking gear to accompany daily commutes and business trips alike. Email product details, MSRP and product photo to kim@travel-goods.org by August 13, 2021. READ MORE

New Products Showcased at the HUB

Head to the HUB to learn about all the new products TGA members are innovating and launching. This week’s highlight: Gear from TALUS that keeps travelers comfortable, confident and moving forward.

SAVE THE DATE! Plan now to attend The 2022 Travel Goods Show, February 27-March 1, at the Las Vegas Convention Center where you can see all these new products (and thousands more) in person!

2022 exhibitors benefit from the Travel Goods HUB: Receive a Premium Profile (sample page) on the Travel Goods HUB at no additional cost. And there’s more! Exhibitors are highlighted in HUB promotional emails to our buyer and media lists — building buzz and delivering your message straight to decision makers. READ MORE

TOP NEWS

New Products Showcased at the HUB

TGA

Head to the HUB to learn about all the new products TGA members are innovating and launching. This week’s highlight: Gear from TALUS that keeps travelers comfortable, confident and moving forward.

SAVE THE DATE! Plan now to attend The 2022 Travel Goods Show, February 27-March 1, at the Las Vegas Convention Center where you can see all these new products (and thousands more) in person!

2022 exhibitors benefit from the Travel Goods HUB: Receive a Premium Profile (sample page) on the Travel Goods HUB at no additional cost. And there’s more! Exhibitors are highlighted in HUB promotional emails to our buyer and media lists — building buzz and delivering your message straight to decision makers. READ MORE

TGA Victory! U.S./Vietnam Currency Deal Appears to Take Punitive Tariffs Off the Table

TGA

On July 19, the United States and Vietnam announced a deal on Vietnam’s currency, seemingly averting the U.S. government’s threat to impose punitive tariffs on U.S. travel goods imports from Vietnam. On July 14, TGA joined 75 industry organizations in opposing a possible move by the Biden administration to impose punitive tariffs on Vietnam under the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Section 301 investigation accusing Vietnam of currency manipulation. TGA also strongly opposed punitive tariffs on Vietnam at a December 29, 2020 USTR public hearing. Vietnam is the #2 supplier of travel goods to the U.S. market. In the first five months of 2021, U.S. travel goods imports from Vietnam increased 15.8%, with Vietnam supplying 21.2% of all U.S. travel goods imports during the period.

New TGA-Supported Shipping Reform Legislation Coming Soon

TGA

On August 1, Congressmen John Garamendi (D-CA-3) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) will introduce the bi-partisan Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (OSRA 21) (Draft text, Draft summary). The TGA-supported legislation, which TGA helped craft, would require the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to establish and enforce rules on minimum service requirements, breach of contract, excessive and unjust detention and demurrage fees, and loading export containers. With the current shipping crisis, the legislation is likely to have strong momentum and could even pass this fall but will more likely move sometime next year. As such, the legislation will not likely fix the current shipping crisis but will lay the groundwork to prevent the next shipping crisis. TGA continues to call on President Biden to take action now on the shipping crisis and provide tariff relief to help companies navigate the crisis. Stay tuned for a TGA-support letter and requests for brand support for the legislation.

Are Global Shipping Companies Price Gouging Amid the Current Supply Chain Crisis?

THE TOY BOOK

Whenever global industry runs into a crisis, there’s often a side effect that raises eyebrows as certain companies involved turn record profits. Now, amid the global shipping crisis, one toymaker is firing shots at the major global shipping companies for “pure price gouging.” READ MORE

Vietnam Pledges Not to Devalue Currency in Agreement with U.S. Treasury

REUTERS

Vietnam has pledged not to deliberately weaken its dong currency to gain an export advantage, reaching an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to refrain from “competitive devaluation” and make its monetary and exchange rate policies more transparent. READ MORE

$30,000 Signing Bonuses, Childcare Help: What Companies Are Doing to Attract Workers

CNN

Workers are in high demand. And companies are having a hard time finding people to fill the positions. There were more than nine million job openings in the U.S. at the end of May, according to the Labor Department. READ MORE

The 4 Pillars of Omnichannel Success

MY TOTAL RETAIL

These days, articles about the e-commerce industry rarely begin without some reference to COVID-19 or “the events of last year.” The suddenness of the pandemic and an industry caught flat-footed delivered many lessons about being prepared for unpredictable events. Many merchants quickly learned that having an omnichannel presence can be advantageous for survival when significant segments of the commerce ecosystem unexpectedly go dark. READ MORE

Email Marketing and Why It’s So Important [Infographic]

SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY

Even with social platform usage continuing to rise, email remains a key element of any effective digital marketing strategy, providing a direct connection between you and your target audience, and facilitating a range of engagement benefits. When it’s done right. READ MORE

U.S. Hints at Lifting Travel Bans

BUSINESS TRAVELER

At a press conference last week, President Joe Biden said the United States is reviewing COVID-19 travel restrictions, hinting that a decision could be reached “within the next several days.” The rules have kept non-U.S. citizens from much of Europe from traveling to the United States since the early days of the pandemic. READ MORE

Canada Will Reopen its Border with the U.S. and Hopes to Allow Others in

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Canada is poised to welcome back fully vaccinated travelers, including Americans, after over a year of strict controls at the border. READ MORE

Deadline Approaching for Retailers to Back Fed’s Move on Swipe Fee Competition

NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION

For more than a decade, merchants have had the right to choose where to route debit card transactions for processing. Landmark legislation passed by Congress in 2010 ended Visa and Mastercard’s near-monopoly over debit processing and introduced competition that has saved retailers and their customers over $9 billion a year. READ MORE

These 5 Words Will Open Thousands of Doors for You

ENTREPRENEUR

Every person is a world. Life at work, in business and even in the family is full of complex relationships, where each person has their own agenda, their own history and particular dimensions. What if there was a magic phrase that solved problems and created strong relationships? READ MORE

TRAVEL GOODS MAGAZINE

New reality + new Show = new opportunities. Got two minutes? Meet two fellow TGA members who are keeping travelers organized and styled across the miles. Catch the BUZZ on industry hubbub. READ MORE

President Biden Takes Action on Shipping Crisis, TG A Urges More

TGA

On July 9, President Biden ordered the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to take action against excessive and unjust detention and demurrage fees in a small first step toward addressing the growing shipping crisis (See Section 5, Part O). TGA continues to urge President Biden to do more (June 24 letter, Twitter, LinkedIn), including: 1) enforcing current rules and regulations against contract breaches and unfair detention/demurrage charges; 2) forcing all stakeholders to the table to develop and implement solutions to the crisis; and 3) providing relief to industry by eliminating tariffs. TGA’s actions are part of a larger social media campaign (#ShippingCrisis) to raise public awareness of the shipping crisis and spur policy makers in Washington, D.C. to act to address it. Look for an AP story in the next week featuring TGA members. Let us know if you would like to talk to the media.

TGA to Biden Administration — Don’t Impose Punitive Tariffs on U.S. Travel Goods Imports from Vietnam

TGA

On July 14, TGA joined dozens of other industry organizations in opposing a possible move by the Biden administration to impose punitive tariffs on Vietnam under the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Section 301 investigation accusing Vietnam of currency manipulation. Such a decision would contradict the January 15 USTR announcement suspending the investigation or the Treasury Department’s April 16 report that found no currency manipulation by Vietnam. TGA strongly opposed punitive tariffs on Vietnam at a December 29, 2020 USTR public hearing. Vietnam is the #2 supplier of travel goods to the U.S. market. In the first five months of 2021, U.S. travel goods imports from Vietnam increased 15.8%, with Vietnam supplying 21.2% of all U.S. travel goods imports during the period.

U.S. Travel Goods Imports Turned the Corner in First Five Months of 2021

TGA

For the first time in over a year, U.S. travel goods imports (as described under HTS Heading 420 — click links to get specific import data on luggage, backpacks, flatgoods, handbags, business cases/laptop bags, and travel bags) actually increased (4.1% by volume) in the first five months of 2021 (versus January-May 2020) thanks the end of lockdowns in the spring and the resurgence in travel this summer. While U.S. backpack imports (-22.7%) remained significantly down in the first five months of 2021, U.S. luggage imports were essentially flat (-0.1%) and U.S. imports of business cases/laptop bags (+19.2%), handbags (+35.9%), personal leather goods (+6.2%), and travel bags (+2.1%) actually saw increases. The latest import numbers continue the accelerating trend away from China. In January-May 2021, U.S. travel goods imports from China slipped 1.5%, with China accounting for only 52.8% of total U.S. travel goods imports. For comparison, in 2016, China accounted for 84.7% of all U.S. travel goods imports. U.S. travel goods imports from #2 supplier Vietnam (+15.8%), #3 Cambodia (+1.2%), #4 Burma (Myanmar) (+28.2%), and #5 India (+9.6%) all grew in the first five months of 2021. Most top suppliers continued to gain import share from China, with U.S. travel goods imports from Vietnam now accounting for 21.2% of all U.S. travel goods imports, followed by #3 Cambodia (8.0%), #4 Burma (Myanmar) (5.1%), and #5 India (4.0%). U.S. imports of travel goods account for approximately 99% of the U.S. travel goods market.

Cape Cod Businesses Struggle to Find T-Shirts, Hats Amid Shortage

CAPE COD TIMES

Paul Nesbit, owner of MATE apparel store in Provincetown, says he knew there would be a shortage of T-shirts due to the pandemic. He ordered big in October and November. In the spring he used three warehouses — two more than usual — to store the blank T-shirts and his business has fared well. Nesbit is one of the exceptions as supply problems have caused a T-shirt shortage across the nation. READ MORE

Marketing for Winners: 7 Powerful Ways to Generate Leads and Inquiries Online [Infographic]

SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY

Are you just getting started with a marketing plan for your business? Want to know what techniques you should use to generate leads and inquiries online? READ MORE

U.S. Faces Growing Pressure in D.C. to Ease Travel Restrictions

SKIFT

Despite leading the way with so many digital health passport trials, it’s ironic that U.S. borders are mostly staying closed because of the uncertainty around tracking who’s vaccinated. READ MORE

Narrowing the Labor Shortage Through Positive Employee Engagement

MY TOTAL RETAIL

Across the country, “MASKS REQUIRED” signs have been replaced with “HELP WANTED.” And these signs aren’t coming down anytime soon thanks to a nationwide shortage of workers. Why? READ MORE

10 Things We Learned About COVID Travel This Week

CNN

Planning travel this summer is a lot like struggling through high school math. There’s the algebra of restrictions, when X into Y can’t go. There are the rising and falling R numbers. There’s the addition of flight costs to test costs to quarantine costs. And then there’s probability theory and the risk that it might all fall through. READ MORE

Why Remote Work Might Not Revolutionize Where We Work

NPR PLANET MONEY

It was only a few years ago that Apple finished construction of its 2.8 million-square-foot “spaceship” headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area. The glittering, doughnut-shaped building cost the company about $5 billion to construct, making it one the most expensive buildings in the world. It was all part of Steve Jobs’ vision of a highly centralized company, where Apple employees collaborate under one roof in the place the company was founded. And now — record scratch — Apple seems to be abandoning that vision. READ MORE

Entrepreneurs with This Mindset Are Most Likely to Succeed

ENTREPRENEUR

If you were to take the world’s most inspirational entrepreneurs, put them in a room and ask them what moves them forward, purpose would most likely be their response. Most people become entrepreneurs in order to have control of their income, but conscious entrepreneurs focus on their impact. It is the polishing of your personality that determines your brand’s success. Conscious entrepreneurs understand that the process of their growth is a spiritual journey. They have full belief in their inner vision and execute day after day, always focusing on the bigger picture. READ MORE

How Will Americans Travel in 2021?

IPX 1301

With 2020 in the rearview mirror, Americans are feeling hopeful about travel and taking much-needed vacations in 2021, but will vacations bounce back this year? READ MORE

TGA

They gobble up accessories, but its slim waist is sure to please.
Once on this land they freely roamed, now for credit cards they make a home.
Big or small it meets the goal, like an ambassador, its elan rules.
There is only one way to solve the riddle – visit the Travel Goods HUB today!

Rumors of Possible Punitive Tariffs on U.S. Travel Goods Imports Continue to Grow

TGA

TGA continues to hear growing rumors that punitive tariffs on U.S. imports from Vietnam are being considered by the Biden administration under the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Section 301 investigation accusing Vietnam of currency manipulation. Such a decision would contradict the January 15 USTR announcement suspending the investigation or the Treasury Department’s April 16 report that found no currency manipulation by Vietnam. TGA strongly opposed punitive tariffs on Vietnam at a December 29, 2020 USTR public hearing. Vietnam is the #2 supplier of travel goods to the U.S. market. In 2020, U.S. travel goods imports from Vietnam increased 12.1%, with Vietnam supplying 19.6% of all U.S. travel goods imports during 2020.

‘I Paid Ridiculous Charges, My Cargo Still Got Rolled and the Carrier Wanted More’

THE LOADSTAR

Short-term freight rates from China to North Europe have breached the $20,000 per 40ft mark, while transpacific carriers are quoting rates of up to $25,000 to the U.S. west coast. READ MORE

What America’s Startup Boom Could Mean for the Economy

NPR

Back in November, the Planet Money newsletter reported that – despite a deadly pandemic and an ugly recession – America was seeing a boom in the creation of new startups. We spoke with University of Maryland economist John Haltiwanger, one of the leading scholars of business formation. Now Haltiwanger has a new study out, and the trend is clear: “The surge continues,” Haltiwanger says. “We’re now convinced this wasn’t just a blip.” READ MORE

Why Now is the Perfect Time for a Post-pandemic Career Check-in

FORBES

We’ve officially crossed over into the second half of 2021, and in any other year pre-COVID, you’d likely pause and reflect, career-wise, on where you’ve been and where you’d like to go. But if you’re like most people, the pandemic threw a wrench (and possibly an accelerant) into that process. READ MORE

Say Goodbye to Trade Promotion Authority

POLITICO

The 2015 battle over renewal of Trade Promotion Authority was one of the most divisive in U.S. trade history, with most Democrats opposed to approving the legislation to allow their party leader, then-President Barack Obama, to finish talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. READ MORE

Yantian Port Back at Full Speed; Box Recovery Could Take a Month

FREIGHTWAVES

The backlog of vessels waiting to reach berths at the Port of Yantian, the largest container port in China, is gone since terminals returned to full operations on Thursday following a COVID-19 outbreak among dockworkers that significantly curtailed operations, according to an official at shipping giant A.P. Møller – Maersk. READ MORE

Google Reveals Scale of Pent-up Travel Demand, Post-pandemic Trends

TRAVEL PULSE

It’s been clear for months that there’s pent-up demand for travel in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic but new data from Google reveals the extent of travelers’ desire to get back out there. READ MORE

Navigating the ‘New Strange’ of the Changing Workplace

AD AGE

We are not “going back” to how things were pre-pandemic. Instead, we will be reinventing ourselves and retooling many of the things we did before. This applies to how we work, how we interact, where we go and what we do. READ MORE

Top Takeaways from NRF Retail Converge

NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION

The days of viewing retail as monolithic are gone. It’s not only an industry that provides a place to shop – it’s a people-first machine built to serve. At NRF Retail Converge, June 21-25, business leaders looked at the depth and breadth of the retail industry and celebrated all disciplines contributing to the future of retail and its impact on people and the economy. Now that the event is over, you can log in to watch sessions on-demand on your own time. Here are some high-level takeaways from the event. READ MORE

What Does United’s Historic Jet Order Say About the Recovery?

SKIFT

United’s 270-jet order is a milestone for the airline, but the carrier is playing catch-up with its rivals, Delta and American, which have newer aircraft in their fleets. Still, the order is a bet that the industry will not just bounce back but grow as it emerges from the pandemic. READ MORE

Five Ways CEOs Can Conquer Imposter Syndrome

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

After years of working incredibly hard, building a terrific career, and finally finding yourself in the top seat, you are ambushed. It may creep up on you. Or it may hit you all at once. You develop the very debilitating feeling that you don’t deserve your success. You think that you are not actually equipped to lead. You believe you are faking it – and you will be found out. READ MORE

TGA

It’s like the shadow following Peter Pan, until it shrinks down like a soda can.
Hot and cold, it runs both ways, before collapsing at end of day.
It’s urban, utile and urbane. A thoughtful workspace for staying sane.
There is only one way to solve the riddle – visit the Travel Goods HUB today!

What Do Frying Pans and Shrunken Gear Have in Common?

TRAVEL GOODS MAGAZINE

Just when we’re all feeling a little optimism, here comes pessimism to put us in our place. As the shipping crisis worsens, Washington remains silent. We know how we got here, but how can we move forward? Nate Herman offers some calls to action in this month’s “Capital Beat” – with the Travel Goods Association leading the charge.

Kids may not come with instructions, but they do come with their own ideas about what they need and want when they hit the road. See who’s supplying those needs in “Gearing Up Junior Travelers.” READ MORE

TGA Urges President Biden to Address Shipping Crisis

TGA

On June 24, TGA sent a letter urging President Biden to immediately address the shipping crisis by 1) enforcing current rules and regulations against contract breaches and unfair detention/demurrage charges; 2) forcing all stakeholders to the table to develop and implement solutions to the crisis; and 3) providing relief to the industry by eliminating tariffs. TGA has also joined a growing shipper coalition pushing Congress to pass legislation to empower the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to more aggressively regulate ocean carriers, terminals and ports. TGA’s actions are part of a larger social media campaign to raise public awareness of the shipping crisis and spur policy makers in Washington, DC to act to address it.

U.S. Travel Goods Imports Slowed in First Four Months of 2021

TGA

This month, the U.S. government published January-April 2021 import data. U.S. travel goods imports (as described under HTS Heading 4202 – click links to get specific import data on luggage, backpacks, flatgoods, handbags, business cases/laptop bags, and travel bags) fell slightly (1.2% by volume) in the first four months 2021 (versus January-April 2020). While U.S. luggage (-12.6%) and backpack (-30.6%) imports remained significantly down in the first four months of 2021, U.S. imports of business cases/laptop bags (+13.3%), handbags (+13.9%), and personal leather goods (+1.6%) actually saw increases.

In addition to the obvious impact of COVID-19 on sales and on travel and continuing issues with shipping, the latest import numbers show the accelerating trend away from China. In January-April 2021, U.S. travel goods imports from China slipped 5.7%, with China accounting for only 52.3% of total U.S. travel goods imports. For comparison, in 2016, China accounted for 84.7% of all U.S. travel goods imports. U.S. travel goods imports from #2 supplier Vietnam (17.2%) and #4 Burma (Myanmar) (9.2%) actually grew in the first four months of 2021. But U.S. travel goods imports from every major supplier fell in the first four months of 2021, including #3 Cambodia (-6.2%), #5 India (-9.1%), and #6 Indonesia (-12.2). Despite the declines, most top suppliers gained import share from China, with U.S. travel goods imports from Vietnam now accounting for 22.1% of all U.S. travel goods imports, followed by #3 Cambodia (8.0%), #4 Burma (Myanmar) (4.8%), and #5 India (3.9%). U.S. imports of travel goods account for approximately 99% of the U.S. travel goods market.

6 Charts Show the Effects of Yantian Port Congestion

SUPPLY CHAIN DRIVE

Three weeks ago, ocean carriers began contacting shippers to let them know another COVID-19 outbreak was impacting supply chains. READ MORE

Carrier Schedule Reliability ‘Through the Floor’ – No Normality Till Q2 22, Earliest

THE LOADSTAR

Ocean carrier vessel arrivals from Asia are being delayed by 20 days, or more, and there is no improvement in sight. READ MORE

EU Members Agree to Lift Travel Restrictions on U.S. Tourists

NPR

The European Union is recommending that its 27 member countries start lifting restrictions on tourists from the United States. READ MORE

How Brands Can Play a Role in Today’s COVID-19 Vaccine Conversation

AD AGE

As COVID-19 vaccines become more accessible in the U.S., the challenge shifts to creating widespread demand and adoption across communities. Brands have the opportunity to lead the way to help people become informed and empowered. READ MORE

Artisan vs. Goliath: How AI Helps Digital Merchants Compete in the Age of Amazon

MY TOTAL RETAIL

Everyone in retail has lamented, at one point or another, that “it’s everyone vs. Amazon.” Even the largest retail brands, like Target and Walmart, struggle to match the e-commerce machine of Amazon.com. READ MORE

25 Ways to Use Social Proof on Your eCommerce Website to Increase Sales

SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY

Are you looking for ways to increase the conversion rate of your eCommerce website? Want to know how using social proof on your site can help? The team from Red Website Design share 25 ways to use social proof on your eCommerce website in this infographic. READ MORE

Retail Sees a New Day for Diversity and Inclusion

NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION

In a session at NRF Retail Converge, Shannon Schuyler, principal, chief purpose & inclusion officer for PwC, moderated a conversation about the current state of diversity and inclusion initiatives in retail. Joining her were Mark Irvin, chief inclusion, diversity and talent officer for Best Buy, and Laura Watt, EVP human resources with Diageo North America. READ MORE

Vanity, the Devil’s Favorite Sin and Leadership’s Worst Enemy

FORBES

“Vanity… Definitely, my favorite sin,” said the Devil, played by Al Pacino, right after Keanu Reeves’ character starts buying into the idea that he is an undefeatable attorney in the movie “The Devil’s Advocate”. Ontologically, it makes sense that the Devil has a predilection for vanity, for it can poison and derail even the most potentially beneficial of feats. READ MORE

TGA

Abracadabra, it changes size. First big and tall then back to small, right before your very eyes. They open wide for such and such, and each one has the Midas touch. Like some dishes, it’s for every day. A trusty companion for any getaway. So, riddle me this and register there. And if you’re not in the HUB, then…where?

New Tariffs on U.S. Travel Goods Imports from Vietnam in the Offing?

TGA

TGA is hearing rumors that possible punitive tariffs on U.S. imports from Vietnam are being discussed by the Biden administration under the U.S. government’s ongoing Section 301 investigations on Vietnam’s timber and currency. It is unclear under which investigation tariffs are being considered, or whether, as the U.S. government did recently with the digital services tax (DST) dispute, the U.S. government would propose and then immediately suspend tariffs as a negotiating tactic. This would be a different approach than the January 15, 2021 Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announcement or the Treasury Department’s April 16, 2021 report that found no currency manipulation by Vietnam investigations. AAFA testified at USTR public hearings held on December 28, 2020 and December 29, 2020 strongly opposing punitive tariffs on Vietnam. There were concerns that former President Trump would impose punitive tariffs on U.S. imports from Vietnam (as high as 25%) before he left office on January 20, 2021. Vietnam is the #2 supplier of travel goods to the U.S. market. In 2020, U.S. travel goods imports from Vietnam increased 12.1%, with Vietnam supplying 19.6% of all U.S. travel goods imports during 2020.

U.S. Travel Goods Industry Faces More California Prop 65 Notices; TGA Prop 65 Best Practices Guidance

TGA

Over the last few months, dozens of new California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) “60-day” notices have been issued alleging that brands and retailers sold totes (Notice 1, Notice 2, Notice 3) backpacks (Notice 1, Notice 2, Notice 3), diaper bags (Notice 1), handbags (Notice 1, Notice 2, Notice 3, Notice 4, Notice 5, Notice 6, Notice 7, Notice 8, Notice 9, Notice 10), wallets (Notice 1, Notice 2, Notice 3), cosmetic/toiletry bags (Notice 1, Notice 2, Notice 3, Notice 4, Notice 5, Notice 6, Notice 7, Notice 8, Notice 9, Notice 10, Notice 11), travel/garment cases/messenger/crossbody/carry bags (Notice 1, Notice 2, Notice 3, Notice 4, Notice 5, Notice 6, Notice 7), phone/tablet cases/holders/sleeves/dry bags (Notice 1, Notice 2, Notice 3, Notice 4, Notice 5, Notice 6), fanny packs (Notice 1), and ID holders (Notice 1) in California that contained di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Bisphenol A (BPA), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and/or di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) in violation of a California law known as Proposition 65 (Prop 65). The notices serve as intent to bring lawsuits against that made and sold these products. Check out TGA’s member-only California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) Best Practices Guidance on the Prop 65 page on the TGA website. This member-only guidance details best practices in developing your company’s Prop 65 testing and warning label protocol, including recommendations on which warning label text to use, where to place the warning label text, and how to test for Prop 65 listed chemicals in your products. For more information on Prop 65, please contact TGA’s Nate Herman, nate@travel-goods.org, 301-775-7633.

How ‘Chaos’ in the Shipping Industry Is Choking the Economy

NPR

On both land and at sea, the entire supply chain is struggling to keep up. In the Pacific Northwest, it’s become such a clusterfest that the U.S. Coast Guard has been redirecting boats to anchor off the coast to places they typically don’t park. Ship crews are having to wait days, even weeks, for the chance to dock at the ports and offload their precious goods. READ MORE

Another Shipping Crisis Looms on COVID Fears in Southern China

CNBC

First, it was a critical shortage of shipping containers due to the pandemic. Then came a massive blockage in the Suez Canal. Now, businesses and consumers are bracing for yet another shipping crisis, as a virus outbreak in southern China disrupts port services and delays deliveries, driving up costs again. READ MORE

TSA Plagued by Staff Shortages as More Airports See Uptick in Travel

CBS NEWS

As more Americans fly again, we’re seeing long lines at security checkpoints and the TSA may not have enough staff to keep up. According to a TSA memo obtained by The Washington Post, 235 airports are currently under-staffed, including some of the nation’s busiest, like Boston Logan, Denver International and Washington Dulles. Some airports are short as many as 100 TSA officers. READ MORE

Do’s and Don’ts of (Almost) Post-Pandemic Travel

AARP

More than two-thirds of Americans are planning to travel this summer, according to a recent survey by TripAdvisor. But as the pandemic is starting to loosen its grip, we find ourselves in an awkward in-between place: Many restrictions are easing for those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said it’s safe for vaccinated individuals to do most things maskless – but we’re so used to following social distancing and other safety measures, it feels strange to venture into the world with relative abandon. READ MORE

A COVID-era Lease Break for Retailers Looks Set to Become Industry Standard, WSJ Reports

CNBC

Retailers are searching for new ways to survive, prompting many landlords to offer percentage-rent leases – pegging monthly rent payments to a percentage of the tenant’s monthly sales – in place of traditional, fixed payments, The Wall Street Journal reported. READ MORE

All Southwest Airlines Fares Are 50% Off for Fall Travel

CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER

Although summer travel is just getting into full swing, it’s already prime time to start booking flights for Fall 2021 – at least if you want the cheapest fares. This week, Southwest Airlines launched a flight deal too good to pass up: All of the airline’s base fares for fall travel are 50% off, in celebration of the carrier’s 50th anniversary. The sale, which only lasts through the end of the day today, is valid for travel from September 15- November 3, 2021. READ MORE

Why Instagram Is Your Best Social Media Marketing Option

VENTS MAGAZINE

Instagram has introduced a change in the entire online business world. With more than a billion people using it every day, this is the largest market any business can find. Just think about this, if you want to showcase a product, then you would go to the place with the largest audience, right? Instagram is that platform for every online business. READ MORE

Remote Work’s Last Hurrah: 6 Spots to Make Your Summer Office

THE NEW YORK TIMES

As workers prepare to return to the office in coming months, here are six towns and cities to consider squeezing in a working vacation or two. READ MORE

Build Your Reputation as a Trustworthy Leader

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW

The findings of Ron Carucci’s 15-year longitudinal study of more than 3,200 leaders on organizational honesty for my book, To Be Honest: Lead with the Power of Truth, Justice, and Purpose, also show that to earn and keep trust, leaders must accept that reliability and integrity are merely table stakes. They don’t, on their own, earn you a reputation of being trustworthy. READ MORE

TGA

Versatile is its middle name, whether on a camel or in a plane. Its passport pages would all be filled because, like you, it lives for thrills. This one’s easy, you will see. It takes a pounding, keeps rebounding and fits frequent flyers to a tee. Some may tuck it on their bed; others use it with a pen. It’s like a facial without the fingers, whose healing scents tend to linger. So, riddle me this and register there. And if you’re not in the HUB, then…where?

Senate Approves Anti-China Bill, Includes GSP Renewal and Restart of China Tariff Exclusion Process, Next Steps Unclear

TGA

On June 8, the Senate approved the Endless Frontiers Act (S. 1260) by a vote of 68-32. The anti-China legislation includes a provision that would retroactively renew and extend GSP from December 31, 2020 – January 1, 2027, add new eligibility criteria for beneficiary countries, including human rights, women’s economic empowerment, and rule of law, and require regular country eligibility reviews. The fate of the overall anti-China legislation remains uncertain as it moves to consideration in the House. Note that the new eligibility requirements and required review could put into jeopardy GSP benefits for key travel goods suppliers like Myanmar and Cambodia. GSP expired on December 31, 2020, meaning that U.S. travel goods imports from a wide range of developing countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar), Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Pakistan have paid full duties since January 1, 2021. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued instructions on how importers can retain the right to collect refunds of duties paid if GSP is retroactively renewed. The legislation would also re-open and fix the TGA-supported China Section 301 tariff exclusion process. Under the previous tariff exclusion process, numerous petitions for travel goods exclusions were seemingly arbitrarily rejected. A re-opening of the process could provide a new opportunity to exclude certain travel goods items from the 25% punitive tariff on U.S. travel goods imports from China. These tariffs are in addition to the normal 17-20% tariffs paid on U.S. travel goods imports from China, leading to an effective tariff rate of around 42-45%.

Biden Supply Chain ‘Strike Force’ to Target China on Trade

REUTERS

The U.S. will target China with a new “strike force” to combat unfair trade practices, the Biden administration said earlier this week, as it rolled out findings of a review of access to critical products, from semiconductors to electric-vehicle batteries. READ MORE

South China Ports in Crisis as Congestion Spreads

GCAPTAIN

South China’s port congestion has gone from bad to worse – delays at Yantian are spilling over to nearby Shekou and Nansha. When the bottleneck began over two weeks ago, Hutchison-run Yantian International Container Terminal (YICT) blamed out-of-whack shipping schedules for suspending laden export operations. Since then, however, multiple shipping lines, including Maersk, have blamed COVID-19 for causing the poor port productivity in the Pearl River Delta. READ MORE

U.S.-bound Imports May Be on Course for New Records, Reports Port Tracker

LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT

For April, the most recent month for which data is available, import volume came in at 2.15 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), marking a 33.4% annual gain, for its best April reading ever, compared to April 2020, when most stores were closed due to the pandemic. This came on the heels of March’s 2.27 million TEU, the record-high for any month, going back to when NRF first started tracking imports. READ MORE

Online Sales Exploded in 2020 – But Mostly for Retail Giants

INC.

Well-known brands like Amazon and Walmart won big last year. Here’s how your small business can catch up. READ MORE

Help! I Need Ideas for U.S. Travel, With High Vaccination Rates, Please

THE NEW YORK TIMES

A reader asks for recommendations for domestic travel destinations, particularly places that rely on tourism – and encourage vaccinations. READ MORE

The Retail Ad Wars Are Heating Up: How Major Companies Are Leveraging the Amazon Playbook

FORBES

Display and search advertising on Amazon.com received a huge lift in visibility due – to no one’s surprise – the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many shoppers to break traditional buying habits and seek out online-first marketplaces for all their needs. This shift in behavioral shopping habits will have long-term repercussions that will continue long after the pandemic is over. READ MORE

100 Social Media Marketing Statistics You Should Know

99SIGNALS

With over 53% of the world’s population on social media, it’s critical that your business has an effective social media strategy that helps you reach your intended audience. To help you get on track and plan your approach for the rest of the year, we’ve compiled a list of essential social media statistics so you know where to focus your marketing efforts and get the highest ROI. READ MORE

Airport Retailing Market to Reach $40.5B Globally by 2027

ALLIED MARKET RESEARCH

Rise in inclination of people toward unique and exotic holiday experiences and surge in the income of middle- and upper-class people fuel the growth of the global airport retailing market. READ MORE

84% of Consumers Value Digital Security Over Checkout Friction When Shopping First-time Merchants

PYMNTS.COM

Data security – and the robust infrastructure to support it – is much more than a barrier that can prevent costly cyberattacks. PYMNTS’ research shows that data security is an essential component of customer service, signaling trustworthiness to consumers who want safe customer experiences as much or even more than they want frictionless checkouts, especially when it comes to mobile devices. READ MORE

A 4-Step Framework for Returning to the Office

MIT MANAGEMENT SLOAN SCHOOL

Whether a multinational corporation or a small business with a half-dozen desks, the question many companies are asking is: How do we go back to the office? The managers who oversee 1,300 Massachusetts employees working for Gillette are asking themselves that question. And a trio of MIT Sloan Action Learning students have an answer in the form of a four-step framework they developed in a project with Gillette, the shaving brand owned by Procter & Gamble. READ MORE

America’s Amtrak Moment Could Finally Be Here

CNN

Created in 1971 from the creaking remains of the classic U.S. railroads that helped build modern America, Amtrak has often lived a precarious existence. Subject to the whims of politicians in Washington D.C. and constantly under pressure from the well-funded and hugely influential oil, automotive and airline industry lobbies, the national passenger rail operator has been threatened with oblivion on several occasions. But as it celebrates a 50th anniversary that few would have predicted, there are signs that Amtrak’s moment may finally have arrived. READ MORE

TGA

Have you been in the news? Has your product been featured on a show or in a movie? Seeking new employees? Searching for distribution partners? Let us know! Did you roll out a new product or product line? Build a better mousetrap? Do something good for a great cause? Tell us! Share the news with your travel industry colleagues and increase awareness of your brand. Email your info and press releases to kim@travel-goods.org. We’ll get the word out – and fast.

You’re Missing Out If You’re Not in the HUB

TGA

It travels here, there, everywhere, and is a place when paired with nine. It’s one cool customer, to be sure, but with a warmth that is sublime. It’s a Pro, but no need to pay. Under or over – it swings both ways. Two are upperclassmen; the other likes to party. One by one or in a group, in either case it’s hardy. So, riddle me this and register there. And if you’re not in the HUB, then…where?

Senate Approves Amendment Re-opening China Section 301 Tariff Exclusion Process, Fate Unclear

TGA

On May 27, the Senate approved by a vote of 94-1 an amendment to pending anti-China legislation that would re-open and fix the TGA-supported China Section 301 tariff exclusion process. Under the previous tariff exclusion process, numerous petitions for travel goods exclusions were seemingly arbitrarily rejected. A reopening of the process could provide a new opportunity to exclude certain travel goods items from the 25% punitive tariff on U.S. travel goods imports from China. These tariffs are in addition to the normal 17-20% tariffs paid on U.S. travel goods imports from China, leading to an effective tariff rate of around 42-45%.

Senate Approves Amendment Renewing GSP, Next Steps Unclear

TGA

On May 27, the Senate approved by a vote of 94-1 an amendment to pending anti-China legislation that would retroactively renew and extend GSP from December 31, 2020 until January 1, 2027, add new eligibility criteria for beneficiary countries, including human rights, women’s economic empowerment, and rule of law, and require regular country eligibility reviews. While a very strong vote, the fate of the overall anti-China legislation remains uncertain. Note that the new eligibility requirements and required review could put into jeopardy GSP benefits for key travel goods suppliers like Myanmar and Cambodia. GSP expired on December 31, 2020, meaning that U.S. travel goods imports from a wide range of developing countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar), Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Pakistan have paid full duties since January 1, 2021. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued instructions on how importers can retain the right to collect refunds of duties paid if GSP is retroactively renewed. In 2020, U.S. travel goods imports from GSP countries increased 8.4%. GSP countries supply 16.3% of all U.S. travel goods imports today. TGA continues to lobby Congress for immediate and retroactive renewal of GSP, and urges you to write your members of Congress to encourage them to retroactively renew GSP as soon as possible. It only takes a couple of minutes.

Senate Punts on China Bill Amid GOP Objections

POLITICO

Late last week, the Senate agreed to delay final passage of a wide-ranging bipartisan bill aimed at confronting China after Republican senators forced a series of procedural hurdles that threatened to keep the chamber in session through the holiday weekend. READ MORE

Best Leather Duffel Bags of 2021

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

When you need to pack a lot of stuff and don’t necessarily like hardside or clamshell suitcases, duffel bags can be a smart pick. Avid travelers see their luggage go through the wringer. It’s tossed under buses and onto airline carousels or crammed into trunks and overhead bins. A tough material such as leather can be ideal for your duffel. So here are some of our favorites. READ MORE

7 Reasons Travel Is More Expensive This Summer

LIFEHACKER

So it turns out that when everyone wants to travel at the same time, travel gets more expensive. And after more than a year of pent-up demand, the U.S. Travel Association Travel Price Index is showing a 9.5% year-over-year increase in prices versus April 2020. Supply chain issues, labor shortages, and, yes, increasing demand are all factors suddenly making travel more expensive. To help you budget for the summer, here’s a look at what’s more expensive this year and why. READ MORE

Move Over Italy – Japan Is Also Selling Off Abandoned Bargain Homes to Lure Residents

TRAVEL + LEISURE

Italy isn’t the only place to score a major deal on an abandoned home. Japan is also dotted with unoccupied homes called akiya – an estimated eight million of them. And like their Italian counterparts, Japanese officials are willing to let some of them go for free in the hopes of revitalizing rural areas across the country, Nikkei Asia reports. READ MORE

Dream Trips Without the Crowds? That’s the Hope, Anyway

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Tour companies are reporting a resurgence in interest for trips to bucket-list destinations, where travelers can still see the sites without being jostled. READ MORE

Korn Ferry Says Expect More Retail CEO Turnover

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

If you work in retailing, chances are you have a new CEO – or you will soon. Changes at the top began in earnest during the pandemic, and the momentum of new CEO announcements will continue through 2021 “because new leaders are needed to drive growth in this radically new retail environment,” according to a new report from the largest executive search firm, Korn Ferry. READ MORE

9 Travel Products Flight Attendants Always Pack

CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER

If there’s anyone who knows how to pack like an expert, it’s a flight attendant. Because so much of their time is spent on planes or in hotels, they have plenty of opportunities to figure out what items are worth bringing along and which don’t make the cut. As we all begin dusting off our suitcases again, we asked flight attendants from around the world to share their top travel gear – the go-to items they’ve landed on through years of trial and error – to help make your next journey a bit more comfortable. READ MORE

4 Leadership Styles That Enable Leaders to Drive Success and Navigate Change

ASSOCIATION FOR TALENT DEVELOPMENT

Situational Leadership is a common sense, contingency-based leadership model that features four patterns of leadership behavior. A leader determines which style to use after assessing an individual’s ability and willingness to perform a specific task. No matter how many plot twists 2020 threw, Situational leaders managed their teams by using one of these leadership styles. READ MORE

A Guide to Social Media Marketing for B2B Executives

TRAVEL + LEISURE

With almost 4 billion people on social media, the audience scale and exchange of information on this digital medium provides an enormous opportunity for leaders and organizations. B2C organizations and leaders were the first to adopt social media extensively, but B2B players have increasingly entered the arena over the last several years. As B2B organizations navigate how to create and refine their social media marketing strategy, it’s also important for B2B executives and leaders to be included in the mix. READ MORE

TGA

In terms of looks, it’s really hot. Think “48th” – but a state, it’s not. No spoonful of sugar needed today, just open wide and gently spray. It has two names, and both are boys’ – but all pint-size travelers will feel the joy. So, riddle me this and register there. And if you’re not in the HUB, then…where?

TGA Urges Congress to Reinstate China 301 Tariffs Product Exclusion Process

TGA

On May 26, TGA joined hundreds of organizations in urging Congress to press the Biden administration to reinstate, and improve, the product exclusion process for the China Section 301 tariffs. There were dozens of product exclusion petitions for travel goods during the previous process, many of which were arbitrarily rejected. A reinstated and improved product exclusion process might provide new opportunities for the industry to eliminate the punitive tariffs on certain U.S. travel goods imports from China. U.S. travel goods imports from China remain subject to 25% punitive tariffs. These tariffs are in addition to the normal 17-20% tariffs paid on U.S. travel goods imports from China, leading to an effective tariff rate of around 42-45%.

Key Senator Introduces GSP Renewal Legislation

TGA

Last week, Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (OR) introduced legislation to update and reauthorize three expired trade programs: the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) and the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act (AMCA). For GSP, the legislation would retroactively extend GSP from Dec. 31, 2020 until January 1, 2027, add new mandatory eligibility criteria for beneficiary countries, including human rights and the environment, add new discretionary criteria on the environment, women’s economic empowerment, rule of law, and digital trade, and require regular country reviews. It remains unclear whether Senator Wyden will be able to hotline the legislation in the Senate, which requires unanimous consent from all 100 Senators. Note that the new eligibility requirements and required review could put into jeopardy GSP benefits for key travel goods suppliers like Myanmar and Cambodia. GSP expired on December 31, 2020, meaning that U.S. travel goods imports from a wide range of developing countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar), Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Pakistan have paid full duties since January 1, 2021. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued instructions on how importers can retain the right to collect refunds of duties paid if GSP is retroactively renewed. In 2020, U.S. travel goods imports from GSP countries increased 8.4%. GSP countries supply 16.3% of all U.S. travel goods imports today. TGA continues to lobby Congress for immediate and retroactive renewal of GSP. TGA urges you to write your members of Congress to urge them to retroactively renew GSP as soon as possible. It only takes a couple of minutes.

Report: Imports Support 21 Million U.S. Jobs

DC VELOCITY

From retail to manufacturing and up and down the supply chain, imports fuel U.S. workforce, a trade group study shows. The study also examines how imports support jobs in each state and evaluates the potential impact of pending trade policy initiatives on import-related jobs. READ MORE

Wyden Unveils Bill to Revive Expired Trade Programs

POLITICO

Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden released legislation earlier this week that would revive a series of lapsed tariff-reduction programs designed to promote trade with developing countries and make certain imports less expensive for U.S. firms. READ MORE

Airbnb’s Future Is About ‘Living,’ Not Just Travel

BLOOMBERG

COVID-19 has precipitated “the most profound change in travel since the airplane,” says Brian Chesky, chief executive officer and co-founder of Airbnb. Speaking over Zoom shortly after presenting a site revamp consisting of 100 (mostly granular) improvements, Chesky detailed his vision of just what he means by that. READ MORE

Memorial Day Weekend Collides with Surging Travel Costs

THE HILL

Memorial Day this year is colliding with soaring travel prices just as millions of Americans are eager to enjoy their first holiday weekend with scaled-back coronavirus restrictions. READ MORE

How “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” Gives Retailers an Edge

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW

What can retailers do to stay relevant in the post-pandemic world while still retaining the advantages of tried-and-true strategies? In this piece, the authors discuss forthcoming research that suggests that the “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” model may be the best option, as it provides many of the advantages of online shopping without many of the downsides of other types of digital shopping experiences. READ MORE

The Leadership Lens: 7 People You Need in Your Life

FORBES

To fix the “leadership bubble” problem, leaders must surround themselves with the right people to stay grounded, get the 360-degree information required to make decisions, and take actions that result in lasting change. Here are seven people that are vital to a leader’s success. READ MORE

The Difference Between Social Media and Digital Marketing

BUSINESS 2 COMMUNITY

It is important to understand the differences between social media and digital marketing, so people can go to the right resources for their campaigns. Both social media advertising and digital advertising are crucial aspects of today’s industry and products. Here, we take a deep look at both. READ MORE

How Retail Companies Are Reducing Friction in Online and Offline Transactions

INSIDER

We forecast that the total number of U.S. proximity mobile payment users will jump from 101.2 million in 2021 to 125 million in 2025, which will also be the first year that over 50% of all U.S. smartphone users will transact using this method. Data suggests adults plan to continue to use touchless payment methods after the pandemic is over. READ MORE

Royal Caribbean Is First U.S. Cruise Line Approved by CDC for Test Cruises This Summer

TRAVEL + LEISURE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved the first Royal Caribbean test cruise to set sail in a new step in a restart to cruising. The CDC set a June 20 return for Royal Caribbean sailings a few days after the cruise line submitted their initial test cruise plans to the agency. The CDC will require all cruises in the U.S. to complete test cruises unless 98% of crew and 95% of all passengers are fully vaccinated. READ MORE

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