Panic buying will definitely solve this!
Families have been warned that numerous aspects of the festive season could see a dramatic change as supplies to shops and pubs dwindle.
Hospitality and retail officials have said families could be hit with a “double whammy” and there are “no guarantees” due to warehouse shortages and general supply chain issues.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, told MPs on Tuesday (November 9) that there is currently a 200,000 shortfall of UK staff.
If that wasn’t enough to turn you into the Grinch then this next bit could push you over the edge. Due to the continuous issue of HGV drivers, Christmas presents from overseas could be stuck at ports across the country.
“I don’t think we can give the hospitality we would like to around Christmas because we would like to be operating at full strength and full capacity and not turning away business,” Nicholls told the Commons’ Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee.
“In our supply chain, we are getting around 80% fulfilment. So, 20% of all products in all deliveries are not being delivered and we can’t really say what it is.”
She continued: “Our supply chain cannot give us any guarantees at the moment about Christmas deliveries and that everything will be delivered at the right place, at the right time and at the right price.”
Tom Southall, policy director at the Cold Chain Federation, warned MPs: “It is particularly in warehousing that we are concerned about at the moment.
“We are having reports from members that warehousing is becoming quite an acute issue in the run up to Christmas.
“It’s a bit more tricky to understand shortage rates there, but between 10% and 20% are some of the figures we have been quoted.”
Southall also said he was not aware of any cold storage firms that have been contacted by the government since they pledged to fund cold storage for meat in October.
He continued: “This time of year, cold storage is in demand and particularly last year was very full, as you can imagine, with Christmas produce.
“We are concerned about where than 15,000 tons of pork meat is going to go.
“We’ve offered support, we have the support of our members but as it stands, we have no details of that scheme and how it will roll out.”
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