The US port strike may affect these companies’ imports the most

• The port workers’ strike could disrupt the business of major retailers, according to data from ImportGenius.
• Walmart, Ikea and Samsung are some of the biggest importers from the affected ports, the data show.
• JPMorgan predicted the strike could cost the US up to $5 billion a day.

Major retailers are changing shipping plans and bracing for the financial impact of the ongoing dock strike.

Every day that dockers and maritime workers aren’t moving cargo along, companies importing goods into East Coast and Gulf Coast ports will experience supply chain disruptions.

Alan Murphy, CEO of liner research firm Sea-Intelligence, told CNBC on Tuesday that if the strike lasts more than a month, it will push the US into a recession. It’s unclear how long it will take, but even a week of delays would present challenges for global corporations.

Retail companies that are heavily exposed — those that import the most to the affected ports — are a mix of department stores, furniture sellers and some phone makers, according to data from ImportGenius, which Arbor Research and Trading, a with fixed income. research and brokerage firm, compiled into a chart. Walmart and Ikea are the most exposed, the data shows.

William George, director of research at ImportGenius, told Business Insider that the firm pulled bills of lading (essentially receipts) from US Customs to determine the companies.

The chart does not include data from shipping companies that handle multi-company cargo or anonymous shipments.

Business Insider contacted all of the companies mentioned. A General Motors spokesman said the company has “emergency plans in place” while it monitors the situation.

The Home Depot reached out to Jess Dankert, vice president of supply chain at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, for insight into how the strikes could affect the retail giants.

“In most cases, retailers activated their supply chain contingency plans prior to the strike, rerouting shipments to the West Coast or moving delivery dates to avoid significant delays,” Dankert said.

Bob’s Discount Furniture declined to provide a statement; the rest of the companies did not comment on BI.

JPMorgan analysts estimated the strike could cost the US up to $5 billion a day. In the end, consumers are the ones who will pay the price.

Some of the products that experts say could be affected are perishable food, tires, salt and alcoholic beverages.

Until the International Longshoremen’s Association reaches a contract for higher wages and more benefits with employers, ports from Maine to Texas will continue to experience costly outages.

“It is essential that the parties reach an agreement and reopen the gates that handle about half of US imports and exports,” Dankert told BI.