GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — It’s going to be another unusual shopping season.
While last year’s holiday season had the pandemic looming overhead, supply chain issues are expected to create challenges for this year as well.
Brittany Berkovitz owns Hatcetera–which sells, of course, hats–in Green Bay’s Broadway District, she started her business during the pandemic and says she’s dealt with those issues.
“My [spring] inventory wasn’t really coming in until mid-to-end of summer, and if I’m being quite honest, there are some name brands that are just coming in right now, and I can’t put them on the shelf,” Berkovitz told WTAQ. “There are actually a couple of name brands that I didn’t even order for fall and winter because they’re just that far behind in not only production, but shipping.”
Berkovitz says some supply chain issues have improved and that she will have plenty of stock in the coming months.
Supply chain issues are not created equal. Some vendors aren’t having many problems at all. One of those is Wonderful Things–also on Broadway–which sells crafts and other goods from local artisans. That local sourcing means owner Leah Weycker doesn’t have to worry as much.
“Some of our vendors are having issues with that, but with most of them these are things they’ve been working on and making and baking for…forever,” Weycker said Thursday. “So they have those supplies.”
The COVID-19 pandemic had a serious impact on A Bag Lady, a women’s fashion boutique also in Green Bay’s Broadway district. Manager Jill Zelzer says there was a point when they weren’t sure they were going to make it, but a strong customer base kept them going. Zelzer says she sees opportunity ahead during the holiday months.
“I am anticipating our holiday sales to be big,” Zelzer said Friday. “I get that people go on Amazon…but there is something to be said about going into a store, having some customer service, actually feeling the piece of clothing, and being able to try things on.”
Another major loss from the COVID-19 pandemic were the plethora of events held during the holiday season in the Broadway District. Things like the Winter Wine Walk, Christmas Tree Lighting, and Small Business Saturday, were all limited or called off entirely.
Comments