Roughly 71 percent of respondents in a recent survey conducted by CNBC say they are concerned about customers cutting back on holiday spending this year, despite recent national monthly retail sales being stronger than anticipated.
Retailers are reportedly ordering less stock for the holiday season, and two-thirds of respondents (67 percent) in the CNBC Supply Chain Survey said they’re expecting shoppers to be on the lookout for discounts this year.
Because of this, roughly 77 percent of items being ordered by retailers to sell in store are middle price-point items while luxury/high-end items (memorabilia, electronics and apparel) only represent 17 percent of orders.
VP of Supply Chain and Customs Policy at the National Retail Federation (Washington, D.C.) says the results of the survey proves the continuing challenges and stress for retailers and other businesses while dealing with current supply chain issues.
“Retailers are constantly working to ensure they have the right inventory mix to meet consumer demands, especially as we enter the peak shipping season for the holidays,” he says. “The ongoing challenges with the West Coast port labor negotiations and associated disruptions have certainly impacted some supply chain decisions. Many shippers have shifted cargo away from the West Coast and may decide to permanently shift away, even after the tentative deal is finalized.”
The CNBC Supply Chain Survey was conducted May 24-June 11 among 147 respondents, including the National Retail Federation (NRF), The American Footwear and Apparel Association, the United National Consumer Suppliers and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.
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Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
