Novelty gift retailer Spencer Gifts has designated the Port of Charleston (S.C.) its number one import destination. About 50% of the company’s import volume is shipped through the port.
In response to congestion at West Coast ports, the company moved the majority of its volume to all-water services through the Panama Canal. According to Ali Kaviani, director of import purchasing for Spencer, the switch has been successful in providing timely and efficient cargo handling. In 2005, Spencer will ship approximately 2,000 shipping containers through the Port of Charleston.
Shipments through Charleston serve the company’s two distribution centers in Pineville, N.C., outside of Charlotte. Combined, they house over 600,000 square feet of merchandise for Spencer Gift stores and its sister franchise, Spirit Halloween.
www.port-of-charleston.com
