Presents could be scarce at Christmas - it's better to buy one or the other now
Created: 11/25/2022, 5:01 p.m
By: Ines Baur
So that the smile doesn't go away.
Retailers advise buying specific and trendy gifts now and not just before.
Delivery bottlenecks could otherwise cause a shortage of gifts.
(Iconic image) © Eva Blanco/Imago
Do you want your loved ones to get a special gift at Christmas?
Then it's better to buy or order now.
Because the retail trade fears that there may be delivery bottlenecks.
Munich - People should not reduce Christmas to gifts.
Without a package, something is missing on Christmas Eve.
In order not to involuntarily celebrate a minimalist Christmas, retailers advise buying one or two gifts now.
There were already warnings in August of supply bottlenecks at Christmas.
But the celebration of love was still a long way off.
Presents scarce at Christmas - one of the problems is delivery bottlenecks
As far as supply chains are concerned, the situation on the world market remains tense.
Many companies are reporting delivery problems and longer delivery delays.
This is mainly due to the corona lockdowns in China.
"There, the container ships have been backed up in front of the ports in the past few months," says Stefan Genth, Managing Director of the German Trade Association in the
Bild Zeitung
.
"There have also been production bottlenecks in the factories."
Even if factories and ports were to be closed temporarily, there would be disruption.
That cannot be fixed until the final Christmas shopping season.
And Genth believes that it will probably be months before the global supply chains are working at their usual pace again.
No gifts at Christmas - things can get tight here
It could be difficult for customers if someone wants to give away a popular product in a very specific version.
For example the evergreen iPhone.
The managing director of the Federal Association of Retail Technology (BVT), Steffen Kahnt, does not have a better prognosis either.
His warning: "Anyone who absolutely wants to give away the new iPhone for Christmas could have a problem." Some vacuum cleaner models, high-quality ovens with steam and microwave functions or landline telephones are also rare.
Well, the vacuum cleaner model will certainly make people shake their heads as a gift.
But consumer electronics are still popular.
And this is where we've been seeing problems for months.
Anyone who strikes on Black Friday can therefore make a bargain and secure a present for loved ones in good time.
No gifts at Christmas - fashion and clothing are sufficiently on the shelves
The typical SOS gift - tie, shirt, socks - is not at risk.
Because there would be delivery delays here and there for textiles, fashion, shoes and leather goods.
And rare failures.
"But the customer shouldn't notice it in practice," says association spokesman Axel Augustin.
However, he points out that at the end of the season there are always situations where particularly popular items are sold out.
Anyone who buys early would clearly have an advantage.
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There is slightly better news for children: the delivery situation for toys has eased significantly compared to the previous year, says association managing director Kahnt.
Of course, the toy you are hoping for can still be sold out.
Parents are well advised not to wait until the last minute.
According to the motto: first come, first served.