Brits warned to buy Christmas toys now to avoid empty shelves

// Importers have warned Brits to buy Christmas toys now to avoid shortages

// Shipping order delays have raised fears over gaps on shelves later this year

Shopping orders are being delayed by some importers who hope that freight costs will subside, as costs have threatened to sustain inflation.

The delays have raised fears over gaps on shelves later this year.

Toy importers are now warning parents to get their Christmas shopping done early as soaring shipping costs risk price rises and empty shelves.

Freight costs have increased in the last year and are threatening to sustain inflation far beyond the effects of reopening.

On Wednesday, Barbie-maker Mattel warned it would have to raise prices in the coming months due to higher costs.

Earlier this week, rival Hasbro warned it expected sea freight costs to be an average of four times higher this year than in 2020.

Covid-19 restrictions are slowing loading and unloading, which has led to blockages at several ports in the US and Asia.

Moreover, problems have been worsened by a shortage of HGV drivers across the UK, which senior managers have warned could lead to shortages around peak times.

CBI has called for lorry drivers to be added to Britain’s skills shortages list.

Earlier this month, the government unveiled plans to help tackle the mounting lorry driver crisis, including easing driver qualification requirements and improved working conditions.

Ministers announced a consultation to allow drivers to take one test to drive both articulated and rigid lorries as part of a package of measures.

The logistics industry, which retailers – especially grocers – rely on to transport goods to stores or warehouses, is facing an estimated shortfall of around 100,000 HGV drivers due to the Covid-19 pandemic and following Brexit.

In an open letter to the sector, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey and Environment Secretary George Eustice pledged to support recruitment and retention in the industry.

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter

The post Brits warned to buy Christmas toys now to avoid empty shelves appeared first on Retail Gazette.

from Retail Gazette https://ift.tt/2WvXYyt
via IFTTT

Comments

Eagle Labs launches impirica CBD brand

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Eagle Labs has launched impirica, a new brand of CBD intended to eliminate consumer fear, and increase confidence, in trying the exciting new cannabidiol category. Michael Law Although most Americans have now heard about CBD, many are very confused and concerned about product quality. This is inhibiting trial in the category and holding back conversion into sales. In fact, a 2017 study by Johns Hopkins University found that two out of three CBD products on the shelf did not contain the amount of CBD reflected on the label. Furthermore, in 2018 and 2019, the FDA sent notices to a substantial number of CBD manufacturers advising them of serious concerns about product quality or egregious medical claims. The impirica brand looks different than most CBD brands — the brand name itself connotes testing and trust, says Eagle Labs chief commercial officer Michael Law. “It doesn’t use the traditional category colors of browns and greens, and you won’t find a hemp...

Coronavirus Recovery: Canadian Small Businesses Must Focus on Easing Employee, Customer Fears

By M. Tina Dacin and Laura Rees A small business has been given the green light to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic . What does it need to consider for employees and customers? Small business owners are reorganizing physical space to account for continued distancing requirements and rethinking supply chains to deliver products and services in new ways to meet changing demand patterns. But they must not forget the hearts and minds of employees and customers. That doesn’t mean replacing a focus on the bottom line, but it helps address the need for a new set of expectations and ways of communicating in terms of product or service offerings, delivery methods and real-time feedback. Based on our expertise in organizational behaviour and past research we’ve conducted, we provide a set of recommendations to help small businesses thrive in our new COVID-19 economy by looking after the hearts and minds of the people most important to businesses — employees and customers. Fear, Anxi...

World's 1st Pizza Subscription Service Launches in Toronto

general assembly subscription user opening delivery box of pizza. photo: general assembly pizza By Mario Toneguzzi Toronto-based General Assembly Pizza has launched what it describes as the world’s first pizza subscription service as it also plans to aggressively expand its product offering in the near future by opening a new concept in the market. "Since opening our doors in 2017, we have pushed for the best guest-experience possible — that's why our dough is 100 percent naturally leavened, that's why we have a purpose-built 400-square-foot pick-up and delivery area, and that's why we’ve launched a direct-to-consumer subscription-based ecommerce platform,” said Founder & CEO Ali Khan Lalani. “In 2020, providing the best guest experience means General Assembly Pizza has to be more than a restaurant. I'm proud to say that after almost six months of planning, many roadblocks, and countless pivots — all while maintaining our day-to-day restaurant operatio...

Latest Retail Insight, News, Information & Articles from all top sources for the Internet.

Search This Blog