Global supply chain problems during the COVID-19 pandemic have forced retailers in most sectors to adapt to delayed and diminished product orders.
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Edmonton retailers are confident they will be able to meet the upcoming holiday shopping demand despite supply chain disruptions.
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Global supply chain problems during the COVID-19 pandemic have forced retailers in most sectors to adjust to delayed and diminished product orders.
But some local stores have managed to fight their way through the uncertainty and now feel they will have enough stock on the shelves for the busy holiday season.
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United Sport & Cycle, a veteran independent sporting goods store in Old Strathcona, has adjusted to the reality of the past 19 months with some orders, such as popular pandemic bikes, being delayed up to 12 weeks. In some cases, the delays were so long that orders were canceled.
“We are fortunate to have brought in much of our inventory earlier than we traditionally did,” said Operations Manager Kelly Hodgson. “Normally that would come in September and October, but we got ours in June and July.”
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This is how he overcame “severe delays” of more than six weeks during s Some products such as NHL, NFL, and MLB licensed clothing.
“It is not a great recipe because it involves a lot of cash flow. But the risk of not having the inventory when we need it is worse, ”he said.
While Deloitte’s recent 2021 Holiday Retail Outlook report predicts that 62 percent of Canadians will shop at Amazon and 53 percent will shop locally, Hodgson is not concerned about losing customers to online purchases.
“If we hadn’t done the work to make sure we’re in a good stock position… I’d be in a bad place. I think any small business that simply followed traditional purchasing practices would feel that pinch, ”he said.
At the root of the supply line problems is the distribution system trying to stabilize after factories in Asia shut down in the first wave of COVID, said Karen Kancens, vice president of the Transportation Federation of Canada.
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Although manufacturing has resumed and shipping system capacity has returned, it has yet to catch up with increased demand.
“We have such an integrated transportation system,” he said. “Marine terminals, trucks, roads and railways have to operate at maximum efficiency. It cannot be adjusted overnight. I think relief will come when demand decreases. Maybe for the second half of 2022 “.
At Track and Trail in Edmonton, the intensity of the 2020 shopping patterns taught owner Aron Schilf to plan months in advance.
“Last year we sold all the Nordic ski equipment in 48 hours. That would normally run out in a season. This year (we) placed our ski orders for February 15th. We were already placing the order for August, ”he said.
Schilf advises customers to shop early, as Christmas shopping has already started at his store.
For Diane Shaw, owner of the Education Station toy store, the availability of a more limited product line has prompted her to shift to where supplies are available.
“Maybe we don’t get as much from one provider, so we go for another. Our Top puzzle provider Ravensburger (had) terrible order fulfillment. So we found three new puzzle vendors that were in stock. “
Shaw is aware of the competition from major stores like Walmart and online shopping, and expects customers to shop locally for the holiday season.
“We want people to think outside of the ‘big box,’” he laughed.
Reference-edmontonjournal.com