June 2024

In a recent piece for Yahoo Finance, Deborah Weitzman shed light on an emerging trend among European retailers: they're stocking up on Christmas inventory earlier than ever. Why? Two key reasons.

First, the ever-turbulent supply chain has made everyone from shopkeepers to shoppers acutely aware of its fragility, a lesson hammered home by the pandemic's widespread disruptions. Second, there's the looming threat of skyrocketing container costs, which could soar back to the $10,000 mark this year. These potential operation-impacting events have put business leaders on the defensive. Sue Terpilowski, from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, says, “To avoid headlines 'Christmas is canceled, there's nothing in the shops,' people are now actually bringing forward their shipments, so they'll be here in good time allowing any eventualities that might happen while they are at sea."

Rather than gamble on whether prices will spike or if another disruption could occur, savvy businesses are opting to front-load their Black Friday and holiday orders. Sure, this means higher costs for holding more inventory, but it's a small price to pay compared to the steep fees for delayed containers and the potential hit to sales from empty shelves.

Over the next couple of years, I would expect to see small to medium-sized enterprises doubling down on proactive logistics, ensuring they are stocked and that they have reliable partners in their supply chain. Business owners are gearing up to face whatever supply chain snafus come their way, ensuring they are ready to keep up with the demand that times like the holiday season brings.

At JF Moran, we understand the challenges businesses face when navigating unpredictable supply chains, especially as peak holiday seasons approach. The trend of European retailers front-loading their Christmas inventory to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions and rising container costs is a smart strategy—and one we fully support with our comprehensive logistics solutions. As companies shift to more proactive logistics management, JF Moran is here to help streamline the process. With our expertise in freight forwarding and our strong network of global partnerships, we ensure timely, reliable shipments, helping you avoid costly delays and keep your shelves stocked. Whether it's securing space on vessels ahead of potential price spikes or managing your inventory more efficiently, JF Moran provides the peace of mind you need to navigate this challenging landscape with confidence.