Navigating the Supply Chain Crisis During Holiday Shopping

With the distribution and supply chain crisis hitting many cities and towns across America, shopping for the upcoming holiday season will be difficult. Here are some ways to navigate and strategically shop during this time.

Shop Early

Now is the time to do your holiday shopping. If you have specific gifts in mind and want to get them for as cheaply as possible, it’s imperative to shop early this year. Start looking at retailers and stores now for gifts and make sure to use coupons, promos, and deals when you can. The earlier you shop, the less you’ll spend. 

Shop Locally

Shop at local businesses and retailers to make buying gifts easier. Placing online orders to pick up at the store often makes for faster shipping and less likelihood that an item shipment might be canceled due to the current distribution issues. You can also check online inventories when you order this way and make sure what you want is actually in stock locally. 

Don’t forget about shopping at local small businesses. Farmers markets and even flea markets and antique stores can be some of the best places to find unique, locally-sourced gifts from small businesses in your area. Be open to trying new stores or mom-and-pop shops, too. Some of the best gifts are items that are handmade and one of a kind. 

Don’t Overbuy Stock

Remember to be kind and conscientious toward other shoppers. Don’t overbuy stock of an item you know goes out of stock quickly; we’re all trying to find the best gifts for good deals this holiday season. Only buy what you need and leave some left for others. If we all practice buying this way, there will always be enough for everyone! 

Consider Experiences

Don’t underestimate the value of gifting experiences. Look for movie theatre gift cards, gift certificates, event tickets, theme park vouchers, and other experience-based gifts. You almost certainly won’t have distribution issues with gifts like this and you’ll give someone the gift of making happy memories. 

Search for local experiences like this in your area and gift strategically to those you know would appreciate these types of gifts.