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2025-11-04 02:02:49
U.S. quarterly cardboard box sales hit a 10-year low, potentially foreshadowing weak holiday retail sales. The continued slowdown in cardboard box sales has exacerbated concerns about a sluggish holiday season. Data released Friday by the Corrugated Packaging Association (CPA) showed that third-quarter corrugated box shipments fell to their lowest level since 2015, continuing the downward trend of the previous quarter. In recent weeks, several packaging companies have warned that economic uncertainty is suppressing retailers' and consumers' spending. Corrugated boxes are used for goods transportation packaging and store displays, and their shipments are often a leading indicator of demand for food and consumer goods. This time of year is crucial for the cardboard box industry, with shipments typically peaking in October to help retailers prepare for the holiday season. A Bloomberg industry research survey of cardboard box manufacturers showed that October orders were flat or below normal levels. Meanwhile, the U.S. consumer confidence index fell to a five-month low, and manufacturing activity declined for the eighth consecutive month. Thomas Hassfurther, president of Packaging Corp of America, said last month, "Clearly, the current economy hasn't provided much of a boost, and recurring tariff policies and other issues are impacting operations."
