National Retail Federation

Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports hit its lowest level in seven years in February as the number of containers dropped below the 1 million mark for the first time in half a decade, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. Numbers began climbing again in March and April, but the 1 million mark won't be seen again before May, and imports will continue to see significant declines compared with last year at least through the summer.

The primary beneficiaries of consumers' retreat from spending will be heavy-discount, big-box retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target. This was a key finding in the 2009 Consumer Shopping Intentions Study from the private equity and consulting firm Cavallino LLC.