Retailers’ back-to-school season may be better than early data suggested. Panjiva data for four major purchasing lines increased 13% on a year earlier in August, bringing the four month “peak season shipping” total to 6% better than the year before. Apparel fell 5%, while laptops and backpacks increased by 19% and 20% respectively. That may reflect a later-than-usual shipping strategy. A secondary bump in 2016 may have related to Hanjin Shipping’s failure, while September data for this year may be disrupted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.