Due to the impact of Covid-19, the holidays will look a bit different this year and it’s best to start shopping sooner than later. Issues from shipping snags, congested ports, rising prices and inventory shortages can spoil the season for those who don’t shop soon enough, as these disruptions are expected to last through the holidays and well into next year. 

Here’s what to keep in mind and why getting started sooner will be beneficial.

Thanks to the heightened consumer demand, shipping delays could become even worse throughout the rest of the year. More and more retailers are adopting the buy online, pick up in store and curbside pickup services as delivery processes are taking longer than normal.  

Non-traditional gifts will also become popular. Since the pandemic has everyone spending an excessive amount of time at home, people are most likely to spend more on health and beauty, at-home fitness equipment, comfortable clothing and home décor. Another e-commerce feature gaining steam is buy now/pay later services like Afterpay and Klarna.

Consequently, retailers are eager to restock their shelves in preparation for the holidays and continue to overwhelm ports with shipments and trucking operations. With business booming once again, retailers are panic buying which is significantly affecting the entire supply chain. 

Deals will start and end earlier, as experts are predicting fewer big sales because of high demand and a lack of inventory. Holiday shopping is likely to begin before Thanksgiving and finish weeks earlier than usual, so if you’re expecting a good deal or a high-demand item this holiday season, you better shop early.

Take time to compile a list of who you’re shopping for,where you can get everything and how you plan to afford it. Staying organized in the beginning will save you time and money in the end.

Get your shopping done well ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday if you plan on buying something specific or trendy and want it to arrive on time. 

“Waiting too long or for traditional promotional sales could result in an inability to get the gift a child or family member has their heart set upon,” Pasierb told The Post.

When it comes to large retailers, McGrath, a shopping expert, said to keep an eye on Kohl’s, Amazon, Best Buy, Macy’s, Target and Walmart, which are known for having good online deals.

Also, consider that this year may be a good time to get creative. Homemade items or gifts from online craft marketplaces like Etsy may be a good bet to avoid the potential pricing and supply issues in stores. 

This season is going to be tough for many shoppers, especially for those who wait till the last minute. Because of issues in the retail and manufacturing space, your safest bet to get the items you want, and for the best price, is to get started as soon as possible. While everything is uncertain it’s hard to adapt, but Christmas can’t be delayed.

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