It is projected that holiday shoppers in America will spend almost $1.5 trillion this year, which indicates a 7% to 9% increase over what was spent during the season in 2020. And while breaking out the credit card to get the best deals for the things on everyone’s wish list usually begins on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, this year retailers are urging shoppers to get a head start if they want to cross things off of their shopping lists!
The reason for this unusual persuasion to shop early this year is due to the major shipping delays and other transportation challenges that may leave several retailers unable to meet the high demand for goods during the 2021 holiday season. There have been ongoing supply chain issues throughout the pandemic with various products, and this year these issues will evidently affect the delivery of holiday items including decorations, gifts, food, and other things used in U.S. homes for seasonal festivities.
Due to this shipping delay in the U.S., many major retailers are launching their holiday sales and special promotions as early as September this year. Target, Pottery Barn, Ulta Beauty, Gap, and more are already advertising and promoting their holiday gift deals to consumers so that they can start shipping items now so that they are sure to arrive in time for the holidays. Others are following suit with mid-October sales planned amid a global supply-chain issues that are sure to threaten availability of many items as the holiday season approaches.
For example, popular retailers like Gap have given consumers a sneak peek at this year’s holiday gift buying guides now, in hopes that savvy shoppers will start to purchase gifts before the last-minute holiday panic begins and they are left without. According to their global head of marketing, Mary Alderete, “With the pandemic’s continued and evolving impact on retail, we’re giving customers the ability to start their holiday shopping early to help ease the holiday rush.”
Other popular retailers and brands have followed suit with early holiday promotions, with Pottery Barn beginning their holiday marketing campaign on Instagram as early as September 17 this year. They are now featuring their Christmas wreaths and urgent holiday messages indicating that holiday shopping should be done early this year due to possible shipping delays.
If you are looking to score any of the popular electronics or toys this year, it is a clever idea to get a head start on your holiday shopping now, or the backlogged global supply-chain issues could threaten to put a damper on your holiday gift giving this year. And do not forget the holiday turkey or ham, as there may be a shortage on your favorite dinner staples this year as well.
I used to do all my Christmas shopping the day after Christmas. I got the best deals that way. Much lower prices then that on Black Friday. We didn’t have a Cyber Monday then. But even with that it was still cheaper and I was done. Just wrap and store them. Plus I was able to give nicer gifts. And during the year, every year I made a new, different Christman Ornament for everyone. Even with the supply chain bloked this year and having to move forward with the gifts, plus higher USPS mailing fees, I would still recommend considering that for next year. There will still be great sales after Christmas Day
When I do my shopping I get all my family that are now adults gift cards. Save me time from going to the stores. The Government want us to shop early so it look like everthing is OK. They want us to spend our money on stupid things.
Like they did in the earlier years, make your own gifts!!!!