Christmas Supplies
I think it’s fair to say that we are currently in unusual times, last year was strange and this year seems even stranger with NSW and Vic retail being closed for an extended period has changed the demand thsi year.
How will consumers respond when the doors finally open ? We’d love to have a crystal ball to answer this one.
We have good stock levels heading into Christmas but it is a strange world in terms of shipping , in the past a booking with a shipping line provided a reasonable degree of certainty on stock arrive. The new norm now if make a booking and the shipping line may have a container , the local transport may have a truck and the ship may decide to stop at the port and collect the freight.
Shipping lines have increased freight costs to unheard of levels , a container that had a freight cost of USD800 is now USD5000 + and each time a booking is made it’s like an auction.
Add to this random Covid cases at ports , they close immediately and the ships skip the port, now we’re seeing industrial action at the Australian end adding delays, along with the odd hurricane and earthquake (Melbourne’s port closed for a day following last weeks shake).
We have product that has already arrived and others that are shipping or due to ship we’ll be happy when it actually gets to our warehouse until then anything can happen.
As you would have seen borders between states close with little warning which so far hasn’t impacted freight but the freight networks are stretched and will be overloaded by the time December comes along.
We’d strongly recommend ordering early this year or at the very least give us a forward forecast so we can work with you early to ensure a successful Christmas.
Give Stephen a call if you want to discuss your specific needs.
