This Is How The Port Strike Is Going To Affect Christmas In Texas
Texas loves to get an early jump on Christmas shopping. A study done a while ago showed that Texans tended to start shopping as early as July when it comes to the holidays. That means some of us are going to be in a pretty good spot.
So what does this have to do with anything you ask? Well, let's just say the port strikes that are going on are affecting things you may not even be thinking about.
As everyone is out panic-buying toilet paper and water again, there are things they should ACTUALLY be focusing on and thinking about. Yes, I understand the importance of water and toilet paper, but those are domestic products that aren't really affected by this at all.
You know what is? Christmas.
HOW WOULD THIS AFFECT CHRISTMAS
Ok, so look at it from this standpoint. We don't produce everything domestically, right? In fact, a lot of products we use on a daily basis are produced overseas. Take a look at that fancy appliance in your kitchen. Where was it made?
Now, break it down a little bit further here. Take a look at the clothes you're wearing right now. What does the tag say? Probably not "Made In The USA". You starting to catch my drift?
WHAT COULD BE MISSING FROM CHRISTMAS
Well, if you are an artificial tree person and in need of a new one (like me), you may end up either putting up your old ratty one, having to purchase a fresh, live tree, or going without a tree at all.
Chris Butler, CEO of National Tree Company in New Jersey had mentioned that if the strike only lasted a few days, there would be enough time to do everything they need to do, such as unload the trees, transport them to their warehouses, and get them prepared for consumers in time for the holiday.
Anything longer than a few days and we could find ourselves without new artificial Christmas trees.
SO WHAT ABOUT TOYS
Yup, here's the biggie right? The amount of toys, electronics, and all the things we buy as gifts for Christmas could be in super short supply. That's going to drive demand for these things through the roof.
Not to mention that along with demand being driven higher, so will prices. You may find all the things you want for the holidays, but you could be paying a massive premium for those items. In other words, remember when the Grinch stole all the gifts from Whoville? Yeah, Christmas could look like that if this doesn't end shortly.
IS AN END ANYWHERE IN SIGHT
It's really early into this thing, so it's tough to say how close we are to it coming to an end. We know what the demands of the workers are, and we know what the initial offer was to those workers.
I won't bore you with the details, but as good as the offer was, it's still a ways off from what the workers were requesting. It all comes down to how quickly they can bridge the gap and work together to end the strike
Bottom line is this. Take advantage of Amazon's Prime Days and Target's Circle Week which are both upcoming. It might be the last chance we have in order to get those holiday gifts at a reasonable price. No guarantee Black Friday will be saving us a ton of money this year.
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