‘Perfect storm’ in summer essentials

STOCK levels of summer essentials including tents, picnic baskets and garden toys are taking a hit due to supply chain issues and pent up demand, according to experts.

Around 60 per cent of Uk-based suppliers have seen import delays in the past month with more than four out of five worried they will run out of stock and struggle with sourcing extra.

The boss of customs clearance platform Klearnow said he believes a perfect storm is coming, as families are told to avoid foreign holidays with the removal of Portugal from the UK Government’s green list and no further countries added.

Sam Tyagi said UK importers are waiting on goods that were due to arrive in the UK weeks ago, but that are still on container ships in completely the wrong parts of the world. Brexit paperwork delays and the recent lockdowns are also playing a significant role, according to suppliers.

Mr Tyagi said: “A combination of Covid-19 restrictions, the backlog from the Suez Canal blockage, increasing global demand for shipping containers, disruption to shipping caused by India’s public health crisis and a shortage of packaging materials means UK businesses are already struggling to meet summer demand.”