Quarterly carton sales in the United States reach the lowest level in a decade, which may signal weak holiday retail conditions.

The sales of cardboard boxes in the United States continue to slow down, further intensifying concerns about weak retail sales during this year's holiday season. According to data released by the industry organization the Association of Corrugated Cardboard in the United States on Friday, the third-quarter shipment volume of corrugated cardboard boxes fell to the lowest level in the same period since 2015, continuing the previous quarter's slump trend. In recent weeks, many packaging companies have warned that economic uncertainty is suppressing the willingness of both retailers and consumers to spend. Corrugated cardboard boxes are mainly used for transporting goods and store display arrangements, and their shipment volume is often seen as a leading indicator of demand for food and consumer goods. This time of year is crucial for the cardboard industry, as shipments typically peak in October to prepare for the holiday season for retailers. Bloomberg industry research survey of cardboard manufacturers shows that October orders are flat or below normal levels. Meanwhile, the US consumer confidence index dropped to a five-month low, and manufacturing activity has declined for the eighth consecutive month. Thomas Hassfurther, President of Packaging Corp of America, said last month: "Clearly, the current economy is not providing much uplift for us. The ongoing back-and-forth tariff policies, as well as a series of other issues, are indeed impacting our operations."