GoodsFox Daily Insights – October 27, 2025: Asia–US Freight Rates Rebound with West Coast Routes Up 18%
- Asia–US Freight Rates Rebound with West Coast Routes Up 18%
- L’Oréal Buys Kering Beauty for €4B to Strengthen Luxury Portfolio
- Amazon Outdoor and Sports Products Surpass $2.5M in Monthly Sales
- Frankfurt Airport Cargo Volume Rises 0.6% in September
- CME: 98.3% Probability of Fed Rate Cut in October
1. Asia–US Freight Rates Rebound with West Coast Routes Up 18%
Freight rates between Asia and the United States have reversed their downward trend, showing a strong rebound.
The latest data shows West Coast rates up 18%, reaching $1,687 per 40-foot container, while East Coast routes increased 2% to $3,071.
Trade friction and tariff uncertainty between the U.S. and China continue to affect shipping demand.
At the same time, Asia–Europe freight rates rose 13%, partly due to port congestion caused by European dock strikes.
Despite weak global demand, rate hikes have caught market attention.
Analysts say seasonal shipping needs and route adjustments to avoid surcharges are pushing prices higher in the short term.
However, policy uncertainty remains the biggest risk for the global shipping market.
2. L’Oréal Buys Kering Beauty for €4B to Strengthen Luxury Portfolio
L’Oréal has reached a €4 billion deal with French luxury group Kering, acquiring its beauty division, including Creed and 50-year exclusive licenses for Gucci Beauty and other premium brands.
The deal is expected to close in 2026, deepening cooperation through royalty and joint-venture models.
Kering, under pressure to reduce debt, is exiting non-core businesses to refocus on luxury fashion.
Meanwhile, L’Oréal aims to expand its luxury beauty portfolio, betting that Gucci Beauty could replicate YSL Beauty’s €3B success.
Kering’s new CEO, Jean-Marc Meyrat, seeks liquidity through asset sales, while L’Oréal’s CEO Nicolas Hieronimus highlights fragrance as a high-growth segment, supported by recent acquisitions and licensing moves.
3. Amazon Outdoor and Sports Products Surpass $2.5M in Monthly Sales
Ten outdoor and sports products have dominated Amazon’s best-seller charts recently.
Top performers include a rechargeable hand warmer with 5-second heating, a UV-protection face mask generating $259.8K in monthly sales, and an air mattress with built-in electric pump reaching $779.9K per month.
Other best-sellers include knee braces, flashlights, and kids’ scooters, covering winter, camping, and fitness categories.
Leading brands such as Ocoopa and Intex are capturing growing demand from outdoor enthusiasts.
4. Frankfurt Airport Cargo Volume Rises 0.6% in September
Germany’s largest air freight hub, Frankfurt Airport, handled 170,505 metric tons of cargo in September, up 0.6% year over year.
Fraport said the growth reflects a real recovery, offsetting last year’s disruptions at Lufthansa Cargo.
Asia routes drove most of the increase: China–Frankfurt traffic surged 22% on strong eCommerce demand, and the broader Far East region grew 6.8%.
Japan also rose 1.2% as major airlines resumed operations, while North American, Latin American, and Middle Eastern routes declined slightly.
5. CME: 98.3% Probability of Fed Rate Cut in October
According to CME’s “FedWatch,” the probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut in October stands at 98.3%, with just 1.7% odds of no change.
Markets also expect a 50-basis-point cumulative cut by December, with a 93.4% probability.
This rising expectation of monetary easing may impact global capital flows, logistics financing, and cross-border eCommerce investment.
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