As October draws to a close and the holiday season approaches, it is time we shift our focus to matters many of us have been avoiding since last year – Christmas shopping.
For most of us, including myself, Christmas shopping only becomes a concern when I can’t find a single gift for my mom in the typically reliable and ransacked aisles of TJ Maxx. In these dire circumstances, I turn to the God-sent convenience of Amazon Prime to do all of the work for me. Sadly – I hate to do this to all of my fellow procrastinators out there – we may have no choice but to do things a little differently this year.
Around the globe, major businesses, corporations and consumers are feeling the impacts of the current supply chain shortage. With high demand yet little means to meet it, the world worries that coal may be the only gift under the tree this Christmas. But, why is this happening? How can we avoid a presentless holiday season?
Let me explain.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit back in 2020, the world was stuck inside and the global supply chain found itself in a more vulnerable position than ever. As the virus spread rapidly from continent to continent, so too did rates of unemployment. This unemployment led to a deceleration in the distribution and production of raw goods, materials, fashion and technology.
Two years later, the world is mostly out of quarantine and life is quickly starting to look more like it did before the pandemic. People are shopping at retail and grocery stores and stocking up for the holiday season’s festivities. However, as life continues to move, the supply chain is merely inching along as it tries to recover from the lack of demand over the last few years.
According to the Statista Research Department, as of last year, “around 56% of global retailers reported moderate disruption in their supply chains as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” and “12% of retailers reported heavy disruption.”
The pandemic’s disruptions in the global supply chain continue to alter the availability of items, potentially affecting holiday consumers. Delays in shipping, the congestion of cargo ships in coastal ports, and the excessive volume of products placed on the trucking industry are all factors that may determine whether your friend or loved one receives the best gift on the market.
So, you might be asking yourself, “What now? What can I do to get everything I need for the holidays?”
The answer is ORDER NOW!
Because the supply chain is so tricky and the demand is so high, the best option for you is to order sooner rather than later. The chances of waiting to order your sister’s favorite sweater or your cousin’s favorite video game are far too risky.
Not to worry, though. There is still hope.
Organizations are doing what they can to keep the stock high so you are not left giftless on Christmas day.
According to Fox Van Allen from CBS News, companies such as Amazon, Nordstrom, and Kohl’s are offering “pre-Black Friday sales.” This encourages consumers to order ahead and still receive good deals on items such as electronics, retail, kitchenware and other necessities while avoiding the chaos of future shipping delays.
As time goes on, the chances of the supply chain getting back to pre-pandemic production and distribution get further and further away.
In an article for Forbes written by Derek Saul, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg explained that the global supply chain will take some considerable time to recover.
“Some of this is a bigger picture, longer-term issue that’s going to take years and years to address,” Buttigieg said.
If “years and years” of a few barren shelves and late shipping is necessary to get the supply chain back on track, that’s fine with me as long as we work toward a pre-COVID-19 goal. As for the rest of you who may be dreading this holiday season, I encourage you to stay ahead of the curve and order what you need sooner rather than later. If you do this, your Christmas will be far less stressful and filled with the hottest gifts of the new year.
Good luck to all of you, and although it may be early, happy holidays and happy shopping!