American shoppers are apprehensive that supply-chain woes will hinder their vacation procuring this yr, in line with a brand new survey from software program maker Oracle. Some 28% fear about dearer merchandise, whereas nearly as many fret that they’re going to battle to seek out the items they’re in search of, the questionnaire discovered.
The ballot displays a “general level of anxiety” about product shortages Mike Webster, normal supervisor for Oracle Retail, instructed CBS MoneyWatch. “It’s the first holiday season where we’ve had such findings in a very, very long time,” he stated. “I think there’s a point of view that maybe Santa’s sleigh will be on delay this year.”
Greater than half of customers are already in search of presents or plan to buy early, the survey discovered. It is no marvel: Retailers from Walmart to Best Buy, Target and Amazon are already plugging bargains weeks sooner than the conventional begin of Black Friday gross sales in late November.
That additionally could clarify why nearly a 3rd of customers stated they will be outraged if deliveries are delayed, with 1 / 4 surveyed apprehensive items will not arrive in any respect.
"We're seeing people shop earlier, and again that's 100% driven by their concerns over the supply chain," Webster stated.
The COVID-19 pandemic has additionally modified procuring habits. Some 72% plan to have items delivered, up from 64% final yr earlier than coronavirus vaccines have been accessible and quarantines have been nonetheless widespread. That compares to 59% who deliberate to order on-line and get items delivered in 2019, confirmed the survey, which polled roughly 5,000 shoppers worldwide.
Greater than half of last-minute customers plan to make use of a procuring and supply service like DoorDash to get last-minute items, whereas present playing cards are additionally more and more fashionable, Webster stated. Roughly 60% of individuals over age 55 indicated a choice for present playing cards over different presents.
"Last year about a quarter of the respondents indicated that they would be buying gift cards. This year it's up over a third," Webster stated.
