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Christmas should be the most wonderful time of year. But this year might not be, as rampant shortages of workers have led to high demand for products yet no one to produce them. So what could there be shortages of, and what could be higher in price this year?
To combat the shortages, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed former Tesco chief executive Sir Dave Lewis as a supply chain adviser.
Sir Dave’s job will be to solve both the immediate crisis facing a number of British industries and prevent future issues.
He stepped down from Tesco in September last year after turning around its fortunes – following its major accounting scandal.
Sir Dave will work with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Stephen Barclay, with data revealing one in six adults in Britain have been unable to buy essential food items in the last fortnight.
READ MORE: Rishi Sunak explains the incoming change to UK contactless payments
Some 17 percent of adults said they had not been able to purchase such goods because they were not available, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Almost a quarter (23 percent) said the same for non-essential food items.
Mr Johnson said: “There are currently global supply issues which we are working with industry to mitigate and Dave brings a wealth of experience which will help us continue to protect our businesses and supply chains.”
However, some items will be in short supply this Christmas, from the meat industry to the coveted PlayStation.
Here are the SEVEN key items which may face shortages this festive season.
Christmas trees
Retailers have warned the higher costs for shipping, fertiliser and pallets, as well as a lack of workers, have impacted the supply of trees this winter.
Prices are expected to be between five and ten percent higher this year as a result.
Chocolate
Nestle, one of the world’s biggest chocolate producers and maker of Quality Street, has confirmed it’s not been safe from the global supply chain problems hitting everyone else.
Wrapping paper
The online shopping boom caused by the coronavirus pandemic has heavily increased the amount of packaging needed across the UK.
This doesn’t mean there will be no wrapping paper left to wrap your presents, but it could be more expensive.
Toys
Toy sales skyrocketed during the pandemic as parents looked for ways to keep housebound kids occupied.
But now, manufacturers are facing problems due to lack of raw materials and expensive shipping as a result of Brexit.
Toymakers including Mattel, which makes Barbie, have warned of low stock levels already.
Consoles
Millions are likely to be asking for the Playstation 5 for Christmas this year – but it’s looking like few shall receive.
Sony has been severely struggling with a shortage of microchips needed to build the console, meaning demand is considerably higher than usual.
