Understanding What Shipping Delays Mean for Holiday Shopping

Twelve percent of U.S. consumers plan to complete their holiday shopping for 2021 by Halloween. Consumers are looking to avoid mishaps after experiencing shipping delays last holiday season during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That means placing their online orders early.

So what do these shipping delays mean for businesses and consumers? How should you proceed with holiday shopping and shipping for the 2021 season?

We’ve got the breakdown to help you understand these shipping delays and what you can do to have a successful season.

What’s Causing Shipping Delays?

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about labor shortages in many shipping sectors, such as marine shipping labor. These labor shortages went hand in hand with many people turning to online shopping during quarantine to stay safe.

This shortage impacts the product before it even goes out for shipping. Common materials used in products, such as microchips for electronics, are taking longer to get to manufacturers.

A shortage of labor and supplies and increased demand resulted in delays, not to mention increased shipping prices!This bottlenecks the supply chain, making for a hellscape of delays during the busiest shopping season of the year.

Shipping Expectations and Deadlines

If you’re purchasing products from your favorite retailer, you’ll want to research their holiday deadlines.With these dates in mind, understand that you could still experience significant delays, even with the promise of expedited shipping.This goes for shipping items with a major company as well!

Consumers: How to Plan your Holiday Shopping

The bottle necked supply chain affects every hot product of the year- from toys and electronics to home goods. So if you’re planning to get your hands on one of these products, make sure to plan ahead and place your orders well in advance of shipping deadlines to avoid any heartache.

Another way to avoid online shipping delays? Avoid shopping online altogether. Choose to shop locally or hand make gifts for your loved ones, so no delivery is necessary.

Businesses: Shipping During the Holidays

Navigating shipping delays for your business is complex, even more so if you plan to offer international shipments as well. Choose a trusted freight forwarding company to either import supplies or export your product to customers worldwide.

Be candid with your consumers about the realities of shipping delays and make firm deadlines. If you don’t make clear shipping guidelines, you may end up with a bunch of unhappy customers not getting their package in time only because you didn’t warn them to plan around these shipping delays!

The Best Customs Broker and Shipping Firm

Now you know the best ways to have a successful holiday shopping season, irrespective of shipping delays, whether you’re a consumer or a business. But keep in mind that all the planning ahead in the world won’t matter if you’re not working with a trusty and reliable shipping firm.

Give your business the best in shipping- Atlanta Customs Broker.Get a quote for air freight, ocean freight, warehouse, or brokerage today!

Atlanta Customs Brokers is one of the oldest and most trusted customs brokerage and shipping firms in Atlanta. Established in 1985, our company has been a fixture in and around the Atlanta airport and Savannah port for more than 31 years. We enjoy working with our international partners and enjoy what we do. If you are a first-time importer or exporter or a large corporation, we can handle your needs.