Chicago

A SHORTAGE of transportation equipment and possible labour disruptions at the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex, the nation's busiest, is delaying shipping containers for up to three weeks, threatening timely delivery to retailers for the holiday season.

The delays are affecting retailers including JC Penney Co, Macy's Inc, Kohl's Corp Nordstrom Inc, American Eagle, Ralph Lauren and Carter's, according to three people with direct knowledge of the situation.