Consumers fear supply-chain snags will put damper on the holidays
CBSN
American consumers are worried that supply-chain woes will hinder their holiday shopping this year, according to a new survey from software maker Oracle. Some 28% worry about more expensive products, while almost as many fret that they'll struggle to find the gifts they're looking for, the questionnaire found.
The poll reflects a "general level of anxiety" about product shortages Mike Webster, general manager for Oracle Retail, told CBS MoneyWatch. "It's the first holiday season where we've had such findings in a very, very long time," he said. "I think there's a point of view that maybe Santa's sleigh will be on delay this year."
More than half of shoppers are already looking for presents or plan to shop early, the survey found. It's no wonder: Retailers from Walmart to Best Buy, Target and Amazon are already plugging bargains weeks earlier than the traditional start of Black Friday sales in late November.