Smyths Toys has warned parents to start their Christmas shopping early this year to avoid disappointment.
The massive toy retailer has cited global issues over the availability of shipping containers and say some toys could be in “short supply” this year.
They’ve urged parents to get a head start on their holiday shopping this year, LiverpoolEcho reports.
In a statement, the toy retailer said: “It is always a good idea to avoid disappointment and shop early.
“While some toys may be in short supply, we will be in good stocks from now till the end of Christmas on the majority of toys.”
Some families thinking about waiting until after Halloween to start their Christmas shopping may not have a choice but to start early.
In a statement released last month, the toy store said: “It is particularly important to shop early this year as global shipping and container shortages are causing supply issues in many parts of our lives.”
The retailer has also urged customers to call into the store to pick up their free catalogue in order to make those key gift decisions.
It comes as experts say supplies of toys and gifts will be “materially constrained” this year, with one predicting Black Friday and January sales will be muted because of shortages.
Gary Grant, boss of the toy chain The Entertainer, said this week it had up to £2million in stock sitting in 30 containers at the port of Felixstowe incurring daily storage charges.
Among the possible shortages are Elf on the Shelf toys, with a reported one million still in China.
Harry Potter wands have also doubled in price.
Elvijs Plugis, co-owner of London’s House of Spells, said: “A Harry Potter wand used to be £20, now it’s going to be £35 to £40. Shops are running out of stock.”
Food delivery slots are also filling up for Christmas deliveries over fears traditional grub and drink could be in short supply.
Online supermarket Ocado said today delivery slots were “selling quickly”.
Elsewhere, Waitrose reported strong demand for Christmas online delivery slots with turkey orders up 54 per cent and orders for other goods up sharply.
Images from an Asda in Birmingham have also shown how turkeys have already been bought up over fears they won’t be available in December.
It has upped its delivery charge in the run-up to Christmas “so that we can hire extra staff to help us work round the clock.”
The UK is currently facing a shortage of lorry drivers due to a combination of Covid, Brexit and other factors.
The government is planning to allow foreign HGV drivers to make more deliveries in the UK.
Currently, EU drivers can only make two trips a week – but Downing Street is looking at relaxing the rules to allow them to make unlimited trips within a fortnight.
Ministers hope the changes will come in by Christmas, but retailers are still warning there could be a shortage of items.
