How the Supply Chain is Stealing Christmas
Are you ready for the holidays?
The holiday shopping season seems to start earlier and earlier with this year being no exception. In fact, if you haven’t already started planning, you are behind!
With a list full of problems regarding the supply chain, from labor shortages to lack of inventory, worried and eager consumers are looking to spend $$$ early and fast! This holiday season is shaping up to be like no other.
Why you should care about the supply chain issues
The time it takes to ship an item from Asia, which carries roughly 40% of all imported goods has nearly doubled since the pandemic began.
Delays are created by a number of issues. Factory shutdowns, labor shortages, and clogged and backed-up ports are all compounding to result in a chaotic holiday season ahead.
But that's not all! Once products have made it to warehouses, getting them to your homes will also be a challenge.
Delivery carriers such as FedEx and UPS are struggling to hire thousands of drivers and other employees to prepare for what they have been warning us for a year worse than last year.
We’ve been spoiled expecting packages to be delivered within 2-3 days, but that is simply no longer the case!
How to ensure your holiday success
If you are a last-minute shopper, this is your year to get a plan started early. Build out your holiday lists today (no really, today), and if you see something that is important to you, buy it.
If you wait, get ready to wait even more! The mix of rising costs, a problematic supply chain, low inventory, delayed shipping, and shoppers eager and on high alert mean this holiday season could very well turn into a bit of a nightmare for those that don't start now.
Bottom line - start NOW
With so many things up in the air, don’t let your holiday gift-giving be one of them. If you have important and specific gifts on your holiday shopping list, start hunting for them now.
If you see it, buy it! Stock is set to be very limited. DON’T WAIT for Black Friday! Be on the lookout for many retailers to roll out early discounts and sales in order to guarantee delivery.
Don’t let the Supply Chain Steal Christmas! Start preparing now, and have a wonderful (less stressful) and magical holiday season ahead!