QUALITY STREET XMAS WARNING

OK... now it’s serious

THE maker of Christmas favourite Quality Street is warning of supply chain issues in yet another potential blow to this year’s festive fun.

Nestle chief executive Ulf Mark Schneider said: “Like other businesses, we are seeing some labour shortages and some transportation issues.”

Trying to allay fears of a Christmas shortage, he added: “It’s our UK team’s top priority to work constructively with retailers to supply them.”

Launched 85 years ago, the tubs of brightly wrapped treats have become a Christmas tradition in homes

CHOC STAR Nestle boss Ulf and workplaces. Nestle’s factory in Halifax, West Yorks, makes 12 million Quality Street sweets a day. A spokesman said: “Like all businesses we are managing a number of challenges at the moment but we are working hard to mitigate those issues.”

As if things were not bad enough, supplies of wine are also under threat. New Zealand’s best-selling sauvignon blanc has lost 30% of its harvest and California has been hit by wildfires.

There were poor grape harvests in France, Italy and England too. Wine and Spirits Trade Association chief Miles Beale said: “We are likely going to see people trying to stock up and not being able to get hold of it.”

Shoppers already appear to be snapping up festive food, with retailers reported a surge in sales of frozen goods including turkey.

Brits are also being warned of a Christmas tree shortage caused by the truck driver crisis. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer accused Boris Johnson of having no plan to boost wages and promising “jam tomorrow” over the supply chain crisis. Blasting the PM’S Tory conference speech, the Labour chief said: “Boris Johnson resorted to form, refusing to take responsibility, offering only jokes and slogans.”