MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — It’s going to be a different kind of holiday season this year at area retailers, as supply chain issues lead to product shortages.
Cargo ships sit offshore waiting to be unloaded while cargo crates sit at ports with few truck drivers available to deliver their contents.
That–and the ubiquitous worker shortage–are causing problems in every sector of the economy.
Jerry O’Brien is the director of the Kohl’s Center for Retailing at UW-Madison and says it’s going to mean some hot holiday items may not be on the shelves when you expect them to do.
“Retailers and supply chain companies are working very hard to get this fixed before the holidays,” O’Brien told WTAQ. “But right now I can’t promise that will happen.”
That means this holiday season could get interesting. O’Brien says you should start thinking about it now.
“My advice is to shop early,” O’Brien said Monday. “If you see something you think you’re going to want to purchase, I would get it.”
After all: it might not be there next time.
The supply chain problems are linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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