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Happiest Holiday Wishes from TGA
TGA
It’s the season of reflection and gratitude, and we at the Travel Goods Association have much to be thankful for. Travel is back, we enjoy the incredible people that comprise our membership, and there is a lot to look forward to in 2023. Thank you for your active participation in your industry and being a part of TGA. We appreciate you and wish you joy this holiday season and in the New Year!
Get Ready 2023 — We’re Coming for You!
TGA
New partnerships, new exhibitors, new chances to connect with old friends and colleagues on the showroom floor. We’re geared up for a new year and new possibilities and that’s what the new and distinctly branded Travel Gear + Luggage destination at the International Housewares Association’s Inspired Home Show 2023, March 4-7 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, is all about! Ready to register to attend? Click here. Plan your trip here. Don’t miss the December 31 early-bird hotel rate deadline! We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!
The Latest on West Coast Port Labor Contract Talks, Rail, and OSRA
TGA
On December 9, the Senate authors of the TGA-supported Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), urged the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to make its definition of “unreasonable” stronger under the FMC’s proposed rule preventing carriers from “unreasonable” refusals to deal with shippers. In other news, while a rail strike has been averted, the paid sick leave issue is not going away with investor resolutions and Congressional letters while investigations into ongoing congestion continue. Meanwhile, on December 6, BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific told government regulators that service is at or near pre-COVID levels. And many are wondering how President Biden imposing a contract on rail workers could impact the ongoing West coast port labor contract talks.
U.S. Travel Goods Industry Faces More California Prop 65 Notices; TGA Prop 65 Best Practices Guidance
TGA
Over the last month, dozens of new California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) “60-day” notices have been issued alleging that brands and retailers in California sold crossbody bags (Notice 1), organizer bags (Notice 1, Notice 2), phone/passport cases/bags (Notice 1, Notice 2, Notice 3, Notice 4, Notice 5), wallets (Notice 1), backpacks (Notice 1, Notice 2), luggage tags (Notice 1), and handbags (Notice 1) that contained di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Bisphenol A (BPA), Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and diisononyl phthalate (DINP) in violation of a California law known as Proposition 65 (Prop 65). The notices serve as intent to bring lawsuits against companies 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 at https://www.travel-goods.org. 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.
What the Rapid Decline in China Trade Demand Means for 2023 Supply Chain, Inflation
CNBC
Lori Ann LaRocco reveals new exclusive data showing some concerning trends when it comes to China’s supply chain problems. READ MORE
This Surprising Sport Has Cruisers Obsessed, and One Cruise Line Is Stepping Up Its Game
THE POINTS GUY
So, what does pickleball have to do with cruising? For years, Holland America Line has had courts on all its ships, and now it has been named the official cruise line of the Professional Pickleball Association. Per the new partnership, the line will outfit every single one of its vessels with a new pickleball court by April 2023, and members of each onboard fitness crew will offer free beginner-level lessons for passengers interested in learning the game. READ MORE
41 of the Most Useful Travel Products You Can Buy on Amazon
CNN
Whether you’re on the road for business or leisure, a tedious day of travel can be stressful. But there are travel products and accessories out there that can make any trip more manageable and comfortable. Better yet, you don’t have to spend a day shopping across multiple sites to find the best ones. Instead, discover some of the most useful travel products from one spot: Amazon. READ MORE
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5 Trends That Will Impact the Retail Industry in 2023
ECONOMIC TIMES RETAIL
In the post-pandemic era, fears of a recession and growing inflation have negatively impacted the retail sphere. However, the good news is that retailers today have become more agile with modern-day shoppers’ ever-changing demands and behaviors. READ MORE
Main St. Small Business Sees Inflation ‘Hands Down’ as Biggest Challenge
PYMNTS.COM
Recent PYMNTS’ research found that inflation was 2022’s biggest challenge for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Main Street SMBs make up much of the U.S. business landscape. As a result, their performance typically serves as a good litmus test for the current market environment. But the economic outlook remained regrettably glum for the majority of Main Street SMBs, with 64% expecting the U.S. economy to enter a recession. READ MORE
Cheap Meets Eco-Chic on the Ski Slopes
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Alpine gear is expensive, but online dealers of used jackets, boots, skis and more are enticing newcomers with bargain prices and promoting recycling in an era of climate change. READ MORE
One Workplace Trend That Will Instantly Point to Someone with Great Leadership Skills
INC.
In this workplace era, to keep employees happy, motivated, and engaged, consider doing something powerful and counterintuitive: share your leadership. This idea may be of concern to managers who fear their employees would take advantage of them. Rest assured, the payoffs are tremendous once the shift from micromanagement to shared leadership takes effect. To that end, here are four shared-leadership principles proved over time to develop work cultures of trust and high performance. READ MORE
How to Make Social Media Marketing Effective for Your Brand
ENTREPRENEUR
In the current challenging economic climate, it is more important than ever to devise effective marketing strategies. Taking a strategic approach to social media marketing will be effective and deliver unparalleled results. READ MORE
Apple Just Launched Its First New App in Years — and It Can Transform the Way You Plan Travel
TRAVEL + LEISURE
Apple has launched a new tool that can help you plan your travels — and it all starts as a blank canvas. Launched on December 13, with the latest iOS update on iPhone, iPad, and desktop, the Freeform app is an infinite whiteboard that allows users to pull in content across various sources, including websites, photos, videos, and files. In short, it’s a digital travel inspiration board, or a vacation mood board, if you will. READ MORE
TRENDING ARTICLES
Missed last week’s issue? See which articles your colleagues read most.
- U.S. Manufacturing Orders from China Down 40% in Unrelenting Demand Collapse (CNBC)
- 37 Gifts Our Favorite Women Travelers Want for the Holidays (CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER)
- The 23 Best Places to Go in 2023 (CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER)
- The Big Retail Winners and Losers from the 2022 Thanksgiving Weekend (MARKETSCALE)
- There’s Strength in Numbers. Advocacy and Inspiration, Too (TGA)