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Magic Before Your Very Eyes in the HUB

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 1Notice 2Notice 3) backpacks (Notice 1Notice 2Notice 3), diaper bags (Notice 1), handbags (Notice 1Notice 2Notice 3Notice 4Notice 5Notice 6Notice 7Notice 8Notice 9Notice 10), wallets (Notice 1Notice 2Notice 3), cosmetic/toiletry bags (Notice 1Notice 2Notice 3Notice 4Notice 5Notice 6Notice 7Notice 8Notice 9Notice 10Notice 11), travel/garment cases/messenger/crossbody/carry bags (Notice 1Notice 2Notice 3Notice 4Notice 5Notice 6Notice 7), phone/tablet cases/holders/sleeves/dry bags (Notice 1Notice 2Notice 3Notice 4Notice 5Notice 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.

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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

The Travel Goods HUB

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

Travel Goods Magazine

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


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