The US logistics manager’s index (LMI) for September this year was 57.4, down by 1.9 points from August’s 59.3. This is the lowest reading for the overall index since March this year and the seventh consecutive reading to come in below the all-time overall average of 61.5.

The rate of expansion was more pronounced later in September, reading in at 60.5 during the second half of September – which was up significantly from the reading of 55.9 early in the month. The drop can be largely attributed to slowdowns in the expansion of supply chain costs.

The US logistics manager’s index (LMI) for September was 57.4, down by 1.9 points from August’s 59.3.
This is the lowest reading for the overall index since March this year.
The slowdown in logistics expansion is due to a declining rate of growth across the majority of the sub-metrics, with transportation utilisation down by 4.7 points to 50, which indicates no movement.

The LMI score is a combination of eight unique components that make up the logistics industry: inventory levels and costs, warehousing capacity, utilisation and prices, and transportation capacity, utilisation and prices.

Taken together, the three cost/price metrics were down 11.9 points in September, reading in at 195.66. This is the slowest rate of cost expansion since March and the second lowest in 2025.

The slowdown in logistics expansion is due to a declining rate of growth across the majority of the sub-metrics, with transportation utilisation down by 4.7 points to 50, which indicates no movement.

This is the first time a reading this low has been seen for transportation utilisation in September, which is generally a busy season in the freight market.

The slight negative freight inversion that began in August continued in September, with transportation prices dipping by 1.9 points to 54.2, which is just below 55.1 of transportation capacity (minus 2.2 points).

While transportation prices are still expanding, this is the lowest rate of growth tracked for this metric since April 2024, which was the last month of the most recent freight recession.

Inventory costs were high at 79.2.

Researchers at Arizona State University, Colorado State University, Florida Atlantic University, Rutgers University and the University of Nevada, Reno, and in conjunction with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) issued the LMI report.

This slowdown is reflective of uncertainty in the overall economy, an official release said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Fruit of the Loom Inc. announced on Tuesday the appointment of Scott Daley to the role of Senior Vice President – Brands, effective November 3.

Daley succeeds Tony Iannuzzi, who is retiring from his role as senior vice president of apparel, after 36 years at the U.S. apparel maker.

In his new role, Daley will oversee brand strategy, execution, and profitability for the Kentucky-based company’s Fruit of the Loom, Vanity Fair Lingerie, Russell Athletic, and Jerzees brands in the U.S. and Canada, as well as Spalding globally.

With some three decades of experience at Reebok, where he held a series of leadership roles culminating in his position as general manager for U.S., Daley’s previous roles at the American sportswear giant included vice president of global footwear, general manager of the running business, and head of basketball products and apparel. 

“Over his three decades with the company, Tony has played a pivotal role across various departments and with our customers, vendors, and employees alike. His customer empathy, strong leadership, and business acumen have been pivotal to the company’s success. Scott’s experience will build on Tony’s legacy, and we are excited about the future he will build for our brands,” said Jeff Cohen, CEO.

Earlier this year, Fruit of Loom announced its launch in Uruguay for next year, where it will work with Uruguayan group Lolita to grow in five more Latin American markets.