Tips & Talk 34 – Your Role in the Global Supply Chain Crisis

27.10.2021

Gift Biz Unwrapped

0:00

9:06

Unless something drastically changes, we’re headed for toilet paper hoarding again and worse yet – the holiday gifting season is in jeopardy due to the global supply chain crisis. I saw a post going around recently that reads, “The work of local artists is not sitting on cargo ships.” That’s exactly right! This is in sharp contrast with other product sellers who have their product produced through factories … particularly if it’s done overseas. Compounding the issue are labor shortages, the increase in shipping prices AND the slowdown of USPS, FedEx and UPS deliveries. It’s a perfect storm setting up roadblocks right in the path of Santa’s sleigh. Here’s where you come in. As a handmade product maker, you have a unique opportunity to help save the holidays. If you’re sitting on a decent supply of production inventory. By that I mean the elements you use to make your products, like yarn for your shawls, clay for your pottery or beads, wire and closures for your jewelry. Your product production is not affected by the supply chain crisis. All signs point to the fact that we’ll need your help to provide gifts that we can actually get to give for the holidays. Here’s what you should be doing right now to be of service to your customers while collecting your share (and in this environment even more than that) of holiday sales.

Determine your product scope.
Focus on producing your proven best sellers.
Get out to in person shows.
Promote the advantages of holiday handmade.
Contact your local media.
Bring the message to social media and through email.
Be fluid as the situation evolves.

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