Christmas of chaos: Why B.C. business owners say you may want to start shopping now
If you haven’t started making a list and checking it twice for the holiday season, you might want to get on that sooner than expected.
Retail experts are warning consumers of possible toy shortages and shipping delays caused by pandemic-related supply chain issues.
“It’s affected us tremendously,” said Lee Richmond, owner of Kaboodles Toy Store in Vancouver.
“It’s a real thing, people talk about supply chains, but it’s really huge. If you think you're going to walk in in mid- or late-November, wanting exactly this train, or that puzzle, or that game, chances are we never got it, or it might be gone. So think outside of the box yourself."
Retail stores have been dealt continuous blows throughout the worldwide pandemic. Many were forced to close completely during previous waves, and their next challenges are trying to keep up with demand and keep the prices down.
Increased shipping costs are being passed on to the businesses, which in turn have to pass it on to the consumer.
“The whole shipping system has been completely maxed for a long time so backlogs can’t really go through the system, let alone new orders very quickly,” says David Ian Gray of DIG360, a retail consulting firm. “Suddenly, we’re all hearing about supply chain issues and I think what that’s doing to the system is it’s radically changing how holiday shopping is shaping up.”
According to Gray, in years past many holiday shoppers have waited for deals. To entice people into their stores, many retailers would offer deep discounts throughout the so-called holiday shopping season, especially Black Friday.
But the pandemic has changed how businesses operate. It has severely limited what they’re able to offer and how much they can charge for it.
“If there is something that you want, if you can find it, get it,” said Gray.
And it’s not just affecting traditional brick and mortar stores. The shipping crunch is also having an impact on online shopping as well. Over the years, many more people have enjoyed the ease of online shopping, but getting those items to your door is taking much longer.
“The chaotic nature of how product is arriving on shore here in Canada means it might be here tomorrow or next week, or maybe not until 2022,” said Gray.
Kaboodles Toy Store already has many items on back-order and is also being hit with price increases through its supply chain, just to get certain items in stock. It ultimately means consumers might end up paying more, too.
“I guess I should be buying now in large quantities to make sure we have it for Christmas, but I don't have the storage," said Richmond. "Do you buy things out of your personal savings so that you have enough stock, in case it goes sideways? There's just no way of knowing."
Richmond’s advice for the holiday shopping season?
"Shop early, I guess is the thing."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
What a U.S. farmworker’s case of bird flu tells us about tracking the infection
A U.S. farmworker who caught bird flu after working with dairy cattle in Texas appears to be the first known case of mammal-to-human transmission of the virus, a new study shows.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.