How the Supply Chain Shortage Will Affect Local Businesses in North Texas


This Christmas season, delays and bottlenecks in the supply chain seem to be improving, according to The Wall Street Journal. However, manufacturing and retail executives don’t expect supply chains to return to normal until next year, which could mean you want to get your Christmas shopping done sooner rather than later.

Records are on several wish lists this year, as record sales increased significantly in the first six months of 2021. However, some local stores advise getting your records as soon as possible as they cannot guarantee that they will have certain items in stock in time for the holidays.

“When you see an album that you want or someone else might like as a gift, buy it now,” says Katie Scott, owner of Red Zeppelin Records in McKinney. “We can’t promise we’ll see it again before the end of the year, so get it while you can.”

As vinyl continues to be a popular purchase for physical media, demand in the gaming world could decline for the first time in years – in some respects at least – as XBOX, Playstation and Nintendo Switch devices allow players to digitally download new games to buy on their devices instead of buying discs and cards in stores. The gaming systems are expected to still be a best seller even during the holiday season.

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But as with vinyl, GameStop recommends buying the moment the devices are available for purchase.

“If it’s Black Friday or some other day, get them when they’re available,” says Jose, a manager at a Dallas GameStop, “because they don’t show up often.”

In the past, other electronic devices like televisions, laptops, and cameras have been eagerly anticipated, but this year more stationary setups will be featured in stores like Best Buy and Micro Center.

Computer monitors, processors, laptops, desktops, iPads and smart home devices such as Amazon Echo products or Apple Homes will be the best sellers this year. This is most likely due to the fact that many corporate offices have allowed their employees to work from home permanently even as COVID restrictions are easing, and these types of products help work from home.

“The vendors will try to get the products to us as soon as possible,” said Brent, a representative for Micro Center. “We do our best to submit our inquiries on time, but I cannot guarantee that our warehouse will be huge in time for Christmas.”

However, several articles warn that Black Friday sales are not the best time to buy in-demand electronics and that it is best to take advantage of individual chain sales during slower retail hours. This year, Black Friday discounts are expected to be lower than in previous years to allow retailers to keep up with demand – and perhaps because of inflation. Even the Dollar Store is now increasing its standard price to $ 1.25.

The delays at large retailers are again causing us to advocate buying from smaller, local stores, which stimulates the local economy and supports independent sellers.

In the fashion industry, several retailers and local designers are struggling to deliver products on time. There may be delays in delivery of hoodies, shirts and other common gifts. So you might want to plan on knitting these gloves for dad yourself.

Local designers say the best way to ensure you get your clothes on time is to buy them in person.

“Given the shortage, we had great problems finding certain colors and sizes of shirts and hoodies,” said the owners of the Malcriadas collective BB Velez and Rosa Rodriguez in a joint communication to the Observer. “And even when we find what we need, deliveries are often delayed for weeks. For us, we’ve found that pre-orders work best as we’re able to order exactly what customers need and give them an approximate date when they can expect their items. However, the best way to buy is always to meet us at one of our pop-ups. ”

Toys Unique (5600 W. Lovers Lane) has various toys, games and other odds and ends ready for the kids. They won’t have big Black Friday sales due to a staff shortage, but they planned the shortage in the supply chain in advance to ensure a full store of Pokemon products and other family board games that were sold over the past few years, according to owner Pam May Year good.

“I think if you shop in small stores you’ll be fine,” says May. “I knew about this supply chain problem back in April. … We have products in stock in anticipation of the holidays. We plan to be very well stocked for January because we know that if these vendors don’t have the product in December, they certainly won’t have it in January. And we need a store full of products for our customers. ”

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