Just about every observer of the economy agrees that a recession is coming. The only question is when. Given the inevitability of a downturn, what are companies doing to prepare? 

Freight volumes and pricing are continuing to weaken in air, rail and truck markets, according to the Cass Freight Index Report for September.  The additional signs of contraction suggest that an economic downturn might be in the offing.

Political turmoil in the United Kingdom over the terms of the country’s withdrawal from the European Union — Brexit — has injected great uncertainty into the plans of companies doing business there. U.S. retailers distributing throughout the EU from the U.K. are especially affected.