Due to supply problems, three in four traders have not been able to replenish their stocks in the run-up to the end of the year, as in other years. They fear heavy losses, warns entrepreneurs’ organization NSZ.
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With Sinterklaas and the end of the year approaching – and Black Friday at the end of this month – traders may miss inventory problems like a toothache, and yet they rear their heads. Many traders fear that they will lose up to a quarter of sales, and some even half, in that key selling period. This is the conclusion of the NSZ entrepreneurs’ organization after a survey of 256 traders.
‘Deliveries are often delayed and we see this in almost all sectors. Whether it concerns leisure activities, toys or even furniture: retailers are more or less in the same boat’, says the Neutral Syndicate for the Self-Employed (NSZ).
Saint
The NSZ does not delve deeper into the causes of the late or late deliveries, but a combination of factors undoubtedly plays a role. First of all, there is the increased price of raw materials and the scarcity of labour. Also, the supply of toys from China this year – think Barbies, Baby Born, Paw Patrol, Hot Wheels, Hasbro’s games – has been seriously delayed compared to other years. Because factories are closing, ports are in lockdown and fewer containers are available for overseas deliveries, container shipping is completely disrupted. There are long traffic jams all over the world at major ports. For toys that are produced in Europe, the waiting times would be better.
As for smartphones and other electronic devices, the inventory problems are also due to the global shortage of computer chips, manufacturing and transportation issues.
On the other hand, the supermarket sector has been confronted with a strike (announcement) for some time now, and this has been reflected at, among others, Carrefour or Lidl. Whether it will also have an impact on the availability of your Christmas turkey in the future remains to be seen.
Up to 50 percent
In the non-food segment, stock shortages threaten to drag on, because for more than seven in ten traders – again, this is about retailers – the delivery time is at least two months or is indefinite. “It is therefore clear that it is difficult for retailers to make a schedule.”
“We are already seeing losses of up to 25 percent for eight out of ten retailers, but if the situation continues into the eve of the holiday season, a third of them could lose as much as 50 percent of their sales,” it expects. NSZ.
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