As of right now in 2021, the supply chain crisis is the result of covid-19 disruptions paired with a boom in demand. There have been shortages of workers, equipment, and space that have only made the issue worse. Many stores are running out of important inventors and are having a shortage of staff workers which therefore has caused stores to close earlier than usual or even close for a long period of time. As a result of that, it brings us to the question: What will happen during Black Friday?
In case you don’t know what Black Friday is, the phrase “Black Friday” is used to signify a positive boost in retail sales that didn’t grow nationwide until the late 1980s when merchants started to spread the red-to-black profit narrative.
Black Friday was described as the day stores began to turn a profit for the year and as the biggest shopping day in the United States. Black Friday is also infamous for people rushing to their local malls, and stores to get a sale on clothes and so much more, but with the shortage of inventory this year, Black Friday may be a little different than the previous Black Fridays we have known before.
According to the Yahoo article, “Early sales, staffing shortages, fewer stores open Thanksgiving: Black Friday will look different,” Brooks Sutherland explains that, “Amid a global shipping crisis, a nationwide staffing shortage and a developing dearth of diesel fuel slowing down shipments on trucks, the crunch-time period of in-person holiday shopping from now until the end of the year faces many obstacles. Obstacles that could spiral into concerning levels when down-the-stretch shopping begins with Black Friday.”
This shows how many people are growing concerned about the possible shortages with stores, and how those shortages will affect the turn out of Black Friday sales and shopping.
Also, for online Black Friday sales, while ordering gifts off of easy and quick websites like Amazon and Etsy that are usually a go to for getting presents on time for the holiday season, the global shipping difficulties can put uncertainty into arrival times, and have made it more difficult for buyers to track where their products are coming from.
Although many people are nervous about the possible outcome of Black Friday sales and how getting certain gifts for the holiday season may not be possible, local and online stores have made it possible and have given solutions for buying gifts and presents for others.
For example, many stores have stressed to start getting holiday gifts earlier, rather than last minute to ensure that people can get their items on time. Also, many stores are starting holiday sales earlier so people can get a chance to get gifts half the price before black friday, rather than having people crowd in stores on Black Friday.
Many people also suggest to shop more locally this year rather than order things that might take more time to come in. According to Cincinnati.com, Brooks Sutherfurd has added “Stivers said the situation has made it difficult to track where products are coming from in order to weigh the issues happening at those shipping locations. But small businesses who cater to a more local base of consumers often have the flexibility and personal care, he added.” Therefore, if people start to get their presents earlier as well as shop more locally, Black Friday might actually save some stores and keep them in business rather than hurt them.