The holidays are here. Control your fate and shop like a BOSS this season. Follow these easy tips to combat shipping delays in 2021 and save BIG!
#1 Avoid Shipping Delays and Shop Early
The woes of shipping and shopping in the 2020s. Supply chains have been wrecked since the Covid-19 pandemic went full force in 2020, and we are still very much in a shipping crisis. In fact, according to Adobe Analytics, out-of-stock messages on ecommerce websites will rise a whopping 172% this year compared to 2020. Consumer demand is also up both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. So while sales dropped in 2020 for many businesses, ecommerce as a whole got a steady increase in business. According to Digital Commerce 360, online revenue went up $105 billion in 2020 in the US alone. However, the malls are back open, and people have returned to in-store shopping, too. So this year, it seems, everyone is ready to get ahold of those holiday deals, but are businesses ready?
What the heck happened – what’s going on in the world today?
What didn’t happen?
- Coronavirus pandemic shutdowns of necessary shipping routes and shipping ports around the globe
- Extreme weather conditions
- City lockdowns
- Temporary and permanent business closures
- Increased demand vs. lower supply
- Worker shortages
Many supply chain analysts point their fingers at just-in-time manufacturing for the supply chain delays, a strategy to save on space and costs by keeping fewer products in the factories.
However, supporters of the just in time manufacturing model say the plan never included worldwide shipping therefore the system should not be blamed for the supply chain crisis. Just-in-time is for goods shipped shorter distances and not long distances, requiring manufacturers to be in closer proximity to their suppliers to avoid stock issues.
According to Bloomberg, 77% of the world’s ports currently have freight delays, raising freight costs substantially.
The White House supply chain taskforce branch considered asking the National Guard to assist with driving trucks to speed up shipping. However, this severe shipping problem is caused by many larger global issues that a solution like some extra truck drivers could not even begin to rectify.
President Biden has, however, opted to keep companies like FedEx Shipping and Walmart operating 24 hours a day, and according to Today.com, Target, Costco, Walmart, and Home Depot have chartered private container ships.
Still, it could take more than double the time this year for companies to get their goods produced, so it’s essential to do your holiday shopping as early as you can.
#2 Know That Our Global Labor Shortage is Very Real
There is a worker shortage across the globe. Why is there a labor shortage? Many, including expert economists, say a 2021 employee shortage is a combination of things, like:
· Age and retirement
· Poor working conditions (health and safety, inadequate pay, work-life balance, inflexible hours or remote work capabilities, and more)
· A reassessment of what’s most important
· Stricter border control and immigration limits
· Increased unemployment and household savings
· Lower birth rates
So what can you do about this worldwide staff shortage when holiday shopping this year?
Simply be knowledgeable and use common sense. As an educated shopper, know that things are slower. Instead of condemning companies or shipping carriers like FedEx, UPS, or USPS, you have to be proactive; if you haven’t started holiday shopping yet, it’s time, because things will take longer!
Here’s how to save now…
#3 How to Save On Your Holiday Shopping RIGHT NOW
Don’t settle for less.
Look for companies that offer free shipping.
Get the hardest-to-find items first.
Look for pre-holiday deals and large discounts. Sign up for company newsletters that email their latest offers.
Shop Black Friday (Friday, November 26, 2021) and Cyber Monday (Monday, November 29, 2021). However, many companies are now offering their largest deals before these shopping holidays to encourage their customers to order early, so keep an eye out! But, beware, some businesses will offer a sale but raise their prices to offset the loss.
Look for coupon codes. Many times, there are more opportunities to save online than in stores. Sites like retailmenot.com will show available coupon codes for major retailers. You can also install apps that you can add to your web browser that will apply available coupon codes and cashback deals automatically, like Rakuten and Honey.
According to a survey by RetailMeNot, holiday shoppers plan to spend 15% more in 2021 than the 2020 holidays. Holiday shoppers say they will also spend more money with a company if they check off holiday shopping boxes, like free shipping and good deals.
If you’re running out of time, consider gift cards. Amazon is now offering a promotion where first-time Amazon Gift Card shoppers will receive a $10 credit with the purchase of $50+ in gift cards.
Another way to avoid shipping delays is to purchase experience gifts for people; concert tickets, an art exhibit, a sporting event, a vacation, a spa voucher, etc.
It’s important to note that many stores will price match during the holidays, so if you find a better deal, bring it to the company’s attention, and they should accommodate you.
Use credit cards that offer high cashback deals, rewards, and low-interest rates or zero interest.
And, remember, if you’re shopping early, you need to start saving early, too, so start putting away those extra dollars. When a deal comes, you don’t want to wait, or it may be gone! Consumer finance expert Andrea Woroch suggests a holiday budgeting app like Santa’s Bag. Get Santa’s Bag for Android here and Apple here.
Lastly, in knowing that this year will be a bit of a mess, you need to resign yourself to the fact that you may not be able to get everything you want for everyone; be flexible and adapt! Your friends, family, and coworkers will understand, and if not, tell them that anything is better than coal.
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Monday 11/15/21 – Tuesday 11/16/21
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Sneak Peek Cyber Monday + Tuesday Flash Sales
Monday 11/22/21 – Tuesday 11/23/21
Offer: 30% off site-wide + FGS on orders of $100+
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Cyber Monday One Day Sale
Monday 11/29/21
Offer: 35% off site-wide + FGS on orders of $75+
Promo code: 1CM35FGS
Cyber Week Sale
Monday 11/29/21 – Saturday 12/4/21
Offer: 30% off site-wide + FGS on orders of $100+
Promo code: 1CW30FGS
For more great ways to save, go to 123Print.com.
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