Christmas warning: buy early or miss

IF you plan to buy a PlayStation 5, a miniature iPhone 13 or a huge LEGO creation for Christmas, you should act now.

That’s the message to parents from analysts and retailers who are warning of widespread shortages, shipping issues, storage dramas, and delivery delays in the lead-up to the busiest buying season.

Some products will be absent on shelves late this year as “shipageddon” hits global supply chains, they caution, while backlogs, border closures and industrial action slows online deliveries.

But there is still time to bag some of the most in-demand products of 2021, even though you may need many of the 84 remaining days

Toys might be in short supply for delivery.

Gartner global retail analyst Thomas O’Connor said widespread product shortages were not just affecting Australia but were created by a worldwide “shipageddon” caused by changes in demand, cancelled orders, and port shutdowns.

Mr O’Connor said there were unlikely to be Christmas food shortages this year but it would be “challenging” for most retailers to procure enough stock to meet every buyers’ needs.

“We may end up with some products not on the shelves,” he said.

“Now is the time to go out and buy what you need for Christmas, in terms of presents. If you do leave it later that perfect item you’re looking to get your children may be more challenging to find.”

Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said Christmas shopping would also be complicated by domestic lockdowns, which had caused “reduced staffing levels” in warehouses.