Retailers’ sentiment towards the back-to-school shopping season may have worsened in 2018 vs. 2017 with total imports of kids apparel, laptops and backpacks down 2% on a year earlier in the three months to July 31. However that’s been due to a 22% slide in imports of laptop computers, which are in a longer-term secular downturn. Imports of apparel and footwear meanwhile surged 4% higher including a 21% jump in kids apparel imports to the highest level in July since August 2015. When combined with improved consumer sentiment that indicates a turnaround for the apparel industry more broadl...