Analyst Insight: International e-commerce, also known as cross-border e-commerce, is growing at a rapid rate, but is faced with a number of challenges such as currency, delivery times, customs and returns. As a result, logistics providers such as FedEx, UPS and Pitney Bowes have acquired niche players to expand international e-commerce capabilities. Combined with these niche players, logistics providers are utilizing global gateways to reduce costs and delivery times. - Melissa Runge, vice president of analytical solutions, Spend Management

Imports at the nation's major retail container ports are expected to increase 4.6 percent during the first half of 2017 over the same period last year as the nation's economy improves and retail sales continue to grow, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.