Jacksonville: A Strategic Gateway for Retail Supply Chains

By Marcia Pledger

JAXPORT’s commercial team recently attended the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s (RILA) LINK Retail Supply Chain Conference in Orlando, meeting with supply chain leaders from more than 600 retailers worldwide to discuss the priorities shaping today’s retail logistics environment.

From national brands such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lowe’s, Dollar General, and Home Depot to Florida-based retailers like Bealls, conversations focused on building more resilient, cost-effective supply chains in a rapidly changing global marketplace.

Sheila Cox, JAXPORT’s Director of National Container Accounts, said the event provided valuable face-to-face time with decision-makers navigating sourcing strategies, trade policy shifts, and increasing pressure to deliver speed to market.

“Retailers are looking closely at how to strengthen their U.S. supply chains while maintaining flexibility,” Cox said. “Our focus is on understanding those priorities and demonstrating how Jacksonville can support their long-term strategy.”

Throughout the conference, retailers shared how they are using artificial intelligence to forecast demand more accurately, diversifying sourcing locations to mitigate risk, and evaluating port selection more strategically — particularly proximity to growing consumer markets.

For many companies, choosing the right port is no longer just about ocean access. It is about total supply chain performance.

Jacksonville offers several advantages that align directly with those priorities:

• Global ocean carrier connections to 140 ports in 70 countries
• No berth congestion, enabling reliable vessel operations
• Fast truck turn times for efficient cargo pickup and delivery
• Dual rail service from CSX and Norfolk Southern
• More than 100 trucking firms serving the region
• Balanced import and export volumes that help maintain competitive shipping costs

“We talk with retailers about potential distribution center sites in close proximity to the port and the infrastructure already in place to support growth,” Cox said. “For companies evaluating new regional facilities, proximity to port can significantly reduce transportation time and cost.”

Several major retailers already operate distribution facilities in Jacksonville, including Wayfair, Gildan, Tapestry, Primark, and Sam’s Club. Most recently, Miami-based Frida expanded its local footprint, opening a new 270,000-square-foot facility adjacent to its existing warehouse to support growing demand.

As Florida’s population continues to expand, retailers serving the Southeast and beyond are increasingly recognizing Jacksonville’s role as a strategic gateway for retail goods.

For more information about moving retail cargo through JAXPORT, contact Sheila Cox at (904) 357-3075 or Sheila.Cox@JAXPORT.com.