The Products Are There, They Need a Ride

With the on-set of the Delta variant many industries have felt the pressure. Inability to get needed supplies that are integral to their businesses has slowed delivery times and created a backlog in many areas. As we approach the holiday season, the current forecast is bleak. Many of the toys, games, sneakers, and even clothing brand products coveted by children and teens are stuck in China. Dolls, dresses, jeans, and video games all sit in warehouses awaiting shipment to the U.S. Larger retailers have even begun chartering their own vessels or aircraft to speed up the process. Analysts point out that this surge is pushing the supply chain to new levels and is likely to cause a larger cascade in logistics services over the next few months.

How the delta variant stole Christmas: Empty shelves, long waits — and yes, higher prices

The Thought That Counts?

Ever gotten a bad gift and wondered if it was meant to hurt your feelings?  Deborah Y. Cohn, associate professor of marketing at New York Institute of Technology explores the many reasons people select certain gifts for others, often to the detriment of relationships.  Are we really that mean?  Apparently so, or we find that gifts are an easy and quiet way to tell someone what you really think.  Food for thought when shopping for next Christmas!

This is why people give bad Christmas gifts