Corrugated cardboard used to make boxes is one of the key metrics followed by economists trying to judge the health of the economy. It is often considered more reliable than job numbers.

Following is a Bloomberg AI summary of the article which requires subscription:

Sales of corrugated cardboard used to make boxes are slumping, signaling that retail demand across industries may be due for a correction.

US box shipments fell to the lowest second-quarter reading since 2015, with companies like International Paper Co. and Smurfit Westrock Plc reporting drops in box shipments.

The drop in packaging demand appears to be tied to President Donald Trump's mixed messaging on tariffs, with companies not stocking up on packaging while they wait to find out how the levies will affect costs and demand.

bloomberg.com - Cardboard box sales fall in worrying sign for US retail