Parents are being urged to buy Christmas presents as early as August to avoid disappointment, as the toy industry warns of significant shortages and price hikes this festive season. A combination of soaring shipping costs, container shortages, and disrupted supply chains has created a 'perfect storm' that threatens to leave many children disappointed on Christmas morning.
Gary Grant, founder of The Entertainer toy chain, advised parents to purchase gifts as soon as they know what their children want. 'If you see it, buy it. Buy it and hide it to avoid disappointment,' he said. The cost of shipping a 40-foot container from China has risen from around £1,000 to as much as £15,000, with some importers paying over £30,000 just to secure a container.
Alan Simpson, chairman of the Toy Retailers Association, described the situation as a 'double whammy' of price rises and shortages. 'Not only are there going to be price rises, there are going to be shortages because there just aren’t enough containers out there,' he said. The industry is also facing a shortage of lorry drivers in the UK, further complicating distribution.
Natasha Crookes of the British Toy and Hobby Association warned that it would be 'near impossible' for toy companies to restock popular items quickly this year. 'There will be stock, but it’s not one of those years where you can just leave it until the last minute and think it will still be there,' she said. Popular toys expected to be in high demand include Paw Patrol figures and fidget poppers.
