The holidays are coming and it is time to hit the shops! From supply shortages to shipping delays, here is a look at what you might expect to see this holiday shopping season.
Supply shortages: You may have already noticed the lack of available products, from household goods to the season’s most popular toys. Suppliers are struggling to stay ahead of shoppers’ demands while still catching up on the manufacturing lag they experienced during the pandemic.
Shipping delays: Even when manufacturers manage to keep the supply of their products ahead of the demand, there can be significant delays when the goods land in the U.S. For example, in mid-September, a record 70 cargo ships were waiting to dock in the LA and Long Beach ports, two ports which handle approximately 40% of the country’s imported goods. The backup has since decreased in intensity but is still present, and will likely continue to affect the delivery chain deep into 2022.
Understaffed shops: Salespeople are likely to be even more overworked than they usually are during this time of year, as employers face massive staff shortages and are forced to place extra responsibilities on their workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 10 million job openings in the U.S. right now. Retailers are struggling to provide their standard level of service with fewer staff, and the salespeople you encounter may be doing the jobs of several workers.
Fewer deals and higher prices: Don’t count on finding the best deals this season. In fact, the prices you will find on toys, clothing, electronics and other items will likely be higher than usual, thanks to factors like inflation and the rising cost of fuel. With shoppers eager to get their hands on the few goods that are available, retailers also have less of an incentive to offer promotions and steep discounts on any gift items.
What can you do to improve your holiday shopping experience?
Find exclusive savings with your Benefits Plus® checking account: Let Benefits Plus® work for you this holiday season! Your membership entitles you to retail savings, travel discounts, fraud protection, and more. Benefits Plus® users also have access to a new Cash Back Rewards Program featuring Rakuten. Members have the opportunity to receive 50% more cash back – up to $100 per year, with no minimum purchase requirements. Visit your local SeaComm branch to upgrade your checking account, today.
For complete information, terms, conditions and exclusions please visit www.benefits-plus.org or call 866-329-7587.
Rely on your SeaComm Visa® Platinum: When you are holiday shopping, make sure to use your SeaComm Visa® Platinum, which enables you to earn points and cash back with every dollar spent! You can redeem your points for cashback, or use them to purchase quality merchandise at ScoreCardRewards.com.
For added convenience, ScoreCard® Rewards now offers Premium Payback, which allows you to redeem your points right at the point of sale, virtually anywhere. Just make a qualifying purchase at a participating retailer and you will promptly receive a text message or email asking if you want to redeem your points to cover your purchase. If you choose to accept the offer, you will receive a statement credit to your account for the transaction amount. Click here to get started!
Get organized: Like most things in life, before you can truly get started you need a plan.
- Have a firm budget in place.
- Compile a list of who you are shopping for and which stores you plan to visit.
- Do your research on big purchases.
- Track your spending with NetTeller™ and Mobile Branch.