This year is not the time to delay your holiday shopping.
It all began with shortages of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. Then it expanded to new vehicles, chicken wings, and baby diapers — items that vanished from shelves or saw significant price hikes due to pandemic-driven supply chain disruptions. Now, your Christmas presents may be the next victims. Retailers are urging consumers to start purchasing now (or better yet, yesterday) if they hope to secure everything on their wish lists this year.
Numerous factors are complicating the supply chain crisis, making it increasingly difficult to restore normalcy. There’s a scarcity of raw materials, and factories that closed during the peak of COVID-19 are still struggling to catch up. Moreover, there aren’t enough workers to load and unload cargo ships, nor are there sufficient truck drivers to distribute goods nationwide. Smaller retailers are finding it hard to compete with larger chain stores for available inventory. Publishers are even anxious about having enough paper for book printing this year.
It can be overwhelming, but the key takeaway for this holiday season is clear: the best way to increase your chances of getting everything you need is to get ahead of the shopping frenzy.
I’ll admit, when I first heard about the push to start holiday shopping early, I thought it was just a marketing tactic aimed at getting me to spend more. After all, these are the same folks who suggest buying Halloween costumes in July and Easter candy in January — surely they have ulterior motives, right?
However, I soon witnessed the problems firsthand — beloved products disappearing, delayed deliveries, and rising prices. And with more people shopping simultaneously, things are bound to worsen, especially with the holidays just around the corner.
Even more unsettling is the possibility that this supply chain mess could continue for years, according to Transportation Secretary Jake Anderson. At this point, I wouldn’t be shocked if we were advised to begin shopping for Christmas 2022 right after December 26, 2021.
On a positive note, retailers such as Amazon and Target have recognized that with more shoppers hitting the stores earlier, holiday discounts need to arrive sooner as well. This year, instead of scrambling to shop while still digesting your Thanksgiving dinner, you might find yourself relaxing, knowing that you’ve already checked everything off your list.
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Summary:
With ongoing supply chain challenges, it’s crucial to begin your holiday shopping as early as possible to secure the gifts you want. Retailers are encouraging customers to avoid the last-minute rush due to shortages and rising prices, with the possibility of these issues persisting for years. Fortunately, early sales and promotions from major retailers may provide some relief.
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