GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – It’s early November, and Zeller’s Ski and Sports in Green Bay appears to be fully stocked with skis and snowboards.
But it might not stay that way for long.
Retailers who sell winter sports equipment feel the impact of the global supply chain crisis. (WLUK video)
Despite full racks of skis and snowboards at Zeller’s Ski and Sports in Green Bay, anyone wanting to pick up something new will have to act fast this fall.
And if they don’t, they could be out of luck for the rest of the season.
Co-owner David Zeller tells FOX 11 world-wide supply chain issues have his vendors concerned.
“I kind of felt this was gonna happen this year, so I stepped up and and bought a little more inventory than i normally would. But we’re going through it at a rapid pace, and the issue is looking at my vendors, being able to restock items is pretty much done.”
He figures that the most common sizes of skis, snowboards, and boots will be dwindling by the end of November.
And demand isn’t just high because of customers this year– Zeller says there’s a hangover from last year to deal with.
“Last year, some people were denied equipment because because we sold out, for instance, in cross country skis early in the season. And when they came after Thanksgiving wanting skis, they couldn’t get them. So they were like the first people knocking on the door even as early as end of summer.”
But new equipment isn’t your only option.
Play It Again Sports in Ashwaubenon has plenty of skis for sale there.
But owner Mike Hendricks says the supply on the second-hand market is getting pinched from two directions.
“There’s so many more people out there wanting to do these things… So the demand is high, people are looking for the used equipment. They’re also looking for the new. And so they’re coming in and looking for that used, but they’re not always bringing used in to trade in because the whole family might be using it yet.”
He adds that used snowshoes have been his most difficult item to keep in stock.
Plenty of new options exist, but those looking to save a little money on second-hand sets might be out of luck.
So while it won’t be impossible to find winter sports equipment for this winter, this all likely means the longer you wait the harder it will get.
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