While there are still months before the holiday season is upon us, Canadians are being encouraged to get a head start on shopping and avoid being disappointed.
Riddled with pandemic-related issues, retailers approach one of their busiest periods of the year, facing a shortage in supplies.
“It’s probably best if [customers] do try to start their shopping as early as possible in order to have the ability to quickly pivot if they do find that certain products they’re looking for may not be available in time,” said Jim Cormier, the Atlantic Director for the Retail Council of Canada.
While some businesses will make it through the season in good shape, others will be forced to turn away potential customers.
Cormier said the issues affecting the global supply chain have worsened and sparked chatter amongst local retailers.
Similar to other sectors, retailers are experiencing a “people gap,” according to Cormier. In addition, countries that have been relied upon for products or a vital part of a product have experienced devastating waves of COVID-19.
For Cormier, retailers are also in the midst of adapting to unusual demand patterns.
“People are buying certain items and in some cases are hoarding,” he said.
“People are working at home and living at home much more than they have been in the past,”
In response to the abundance of issues, a few retailers have taken a preemptive approach for the holidays.
“Some [businesses] have taken the risks themselves to bring in a lot of extra inventory earlier, some as early as this summer, just to try and get ahead of where they knew there would be supply chain slowdowns to ensure that they have enough reserve inventory,” he said.
However, as Cormier noted, this strategy could prove costly.
“They have taken the risk about potentially being stuck with product by having to buy it early before they know that these will be the hot products at the holiday shopping season time,” said Cormier.
After another grim year, the Atlantic Director for the Retail Council of Canada pleads for patience and compassion heading into the holiday season.
“We’re encouraging [shoppers] to get out and support the retailers in their local area, whether their small independent retailers right up to the largest retailers in the world.“
