As Pandemic-Plagued Shoppers Prepare to Spend Again, Port Congestion Is the Problem Shoe Brands and Retailers Don’t Need

As the health crisis continues to keep many Americans indoors, spending has generally shifted away from services like traveling, spas, movies, restaurants and more to tangible discretionary goods including housewares, footwear and apparel. According to analysts, the uptick in imports has caused longer lead times and higher freight costs for brands and retailers, which are already contending with rapidly changing consumer preferences and other coronavirus-related supply chain disruptions, such as temporarily losing workers who might be on sick leave.