A Utah retailer warns that Christmas costs will be higher this year because of continuing supply chain issues. Image credit: Canva
SALT LAKE CITY — If you’ve already started budgeting for Christmas 2021, take note. Supplies will cost more this year because of ongoing high shipping costs and supply chain bottlenecks.
That reality will be evident here in Utah, said the Executive Vice President of Modern Display, Spencer Vriens.
“Typically we pay anywhere from $6,000 to $7,000 per container from China to get it to our door here in Utah,” Vriens told KSL Newsradio. “And this year it’s going to be anywhere from $19,000 to $26,000 per container.
That reflects what the Wall Street Journal reported recently, that retailers expected to raise prices by 20 to 25% to keep up with the increased costs.
Along with the higher prices, a delay will also add to problems for those who want to buy new Christmas supplies.
Vriens said the delay will mean that consumers should expect shortages in supplies.
“We sell a lot to lighting contractors, and they are wanting to repair and get their jobs going. They (usually) install jobs starting now for businesses and people’s homes, but we don’t have the product yet.”
He has two pieces of advice for people who want to buy new Christmas supplies this year. If you see something in a store that you want, buy it now. And he says waiting to buy supplies next year won’t offer a bargain. He said higher costs will ripple throughout 2022 as well.