Buy holiday gifts earlier than usual or face empty shelves, retailers warn

Because of supply-chain woes, retailers and toy experts are warning Christmas shoppers to buy earlier than usual or they’ll face empty shelves this holiday season.

Lori Parker, co-owner of Treasure Island Toys store in Toronto, told CTV News her one piece of advice is: “Shop now.”

While her store is currently stocked with popular items, such as bubble-popping toys or squeezable noodles, she’s seeing early signs that things will change in the coming weeks.

Already, she’s been told certain toys can’t be ordered anymore.

And while shipments from other suppliers have trickled in, delays have been far more common than in previous years. For example, an order she placed two months ago for a popular doll has yet to show up, when normally it would’ve only taken two weeks.