Welcome to Dock to Stock,

Here’s your monthly roundup of the top stories we covered on CrossDock. This edition dives into Shein and Temu’s invasion of U.S. e-commerce, the rising warehouse vacancy rates across the country, and how U.S. presidents and their policies have left a lasting impact on supply chains. Plus, explore other insightful stories we covered on CrossDock.

PS: We’re also excited to announce the launch of CrossDock’s YouTube channel! Now, you can experience the stories from CrossDock in a visual format, with fresh videos dropping every week. Don’t forget to share your feedback—we’d love to hear from you!

Cold Chain ❄️

Today, the U.S. cold chain industry is valued at over $100 billion, a cornerstone of the nation’s food, pharmaceutical, and logistics sectors.

From delivering fresh produce and frozen meals to transporting life-saving vaccines, the cold chain has become indispensable. But this thriving industry didn’t emerge overnight—it’s the culmination of centuries of innovation and determination.

How did we get here? The journey started over 200 years ago with one man’s ambitious idea to ship ice across the tropics. Are you curious about how the Cold Chain evolved into a $100 billion powerhouse?

Check out CrossDock’s deep dive into this to know the full story!

How Longshoremen Built One of the Strongest Unions in America ⚓️

On October 1, 2024, 46,000 longshoremen went on strike, shutting down 36 ports across the East and Gulf Coasts. The usually bustling ports processed zero containers, bringing critical supply chains to a halt.

This historic strike highlighted the power of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and reignited debates about fair wages, job security, and the fight against automation.

But how did longshoremen build one of the strongest unions in America? We also take a look at important events that shaped the union. Finally, we answer if their pay is really as high as some claim.

Read our story to know the story of the Longshoremen in America

Dragons in Discount 📦

Shein and Temu are disrupting U.S. e-commerce, capturing millions of shoppers with ultra-low prices. But how did they achieve this?

Behind Shein and Temu’s ultra-low prices lies multiple controversies. From forced labor allegations and unsafe products to questions about data privacy, both companies face mounting scrutiny.

In fact, their rapid growth in the US has even made e-commerce giant Amazon adapt and fight back.

Curious how these Chinese giants have shaken up the market—and what it means for the future of e-commerce?

Read the full story on CrossDock.

Blank Space 📉

During the pandemic, warehouse space became the hottest commodity. Vacancy rates went as low as 3.4% in 2022 as e-commerce giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Target raced to build logistics hubs to meet skyrocketing demand.

But post-pandemic, things are changing. In 2024, vacancy rates climbed to 6.4%, with new spaces struggling to find tenants and businesses scaling back their logistics footprints. Rising interest rates and overbuilt spaces have further dampened construction activity.

In the coming years, will we see a resurgence in demand for warehousing?

Check out CrossDock’s coverage on the boom and fizzle of US warehouse vacancy rates.

Do Tariffs Benefit the United States❓

Tariffs have been a cornerstone of U.S. trade policy, shaping industries and driving America’s trade strategies. From Alexander Hamilton’s protective measures to the U.S.-China trade war, tariffs have both safeguarded industries and sparked controversy.

Under Trump, tariffs targeted China’s dominance, while Biden has expanded these measures, signaling bipartisan agreement on their importance. But are they truly protecting American jobs and industries—or simply driving up costs for consumers?

Check out our coverage on tariffs and its relationship with the United States.

Cheap Thrills 📦

Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress are transforming how Americans shop. These platforms offer unbeatable prices and massive product variety, making billions in U.S. sales.

We have explored what facilitated their rapid growth, examined their current market share and expansion, and discussed the harmful effects they have on American businesses and consumers.

To know how Chinese companies are invading US e-commerce, check out this link.

Presidents, Policies, and Supply Chains 🇺🇸

U.S. presidents have always left a lasting impression on supply chains — both nationally and globally.

From Eisenhower’s game-changing interstate highways that revolutionized logistics to NAFTA’s bold reimagining of cross-border trade, presidential policies have played a pivotal role in shaping supply chains and trade.

In this CrossDock issue, we take a closer look at how key presidential decisions have reshaped trade and supply chains over the years — both positively and negatively.

Slow Fashion 👕

Fast fashion might look trendy and affordable, but beneath the surface, it’s causing serious harm to people and the planet.

Behind every cheap outfit is a trail of exploitation — from underpaid workers in unsafe factories to environmental damage that’s piling up at an alarming rate. Fast fashion produces billions of garments a year, fueling landfills, polluting waterways, and accelerating carbon emissions.

Check out our latest edition, where we unpack the rise of fast fashion, its hidden impacts on workers and the environment, and what it’s costing our planet.

Thank you for reading. From all of us at CrossDock and Hopstack, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. We’ll see you at the next edition!