From WCTV
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – From the supermarket to the big box stores, to mom and pop shops, the pandemic is impacting a lot of things we buy right now.
Retailers are asking consumers to be patient as product shortages continue to be felt across all industries.
“On the apparel side we’re seeing it with polos, t-shirts, sweatshirts,” said Tracey Shrine, the CEO and co-owner of Full Press Apparel.
She says their business began feeling the pinch back in April, and their suppliers are having trouble getting items shipped and manufactured from overseas.
“So we are really having to adjust our production schedules to account for that. We’re having to adjust the way that we purchase, the volume in which we purchase,” said Shrine.
Shrine tells WCTV, pre-pandemic their turnaround would be three to five business days after approval on orders. Now their wait is about two weeks, and the costs have just been going up.
“All of our supplies have gone up. Our raw materials to make the shirts have gone up. Logistics costs have gone up. Employment costs have gone up,” said Shrine.
When suppliers experience delays in manufacturing or shipping, the ripple effects can quickly reach retailers who must adjust purchasing strategies, manage longer lead times, and communicate updated expectations to their customers.
Rising costs in materials, transportation, and labor add another layer of complexity, making it increasingly important for businesses to streamline the operational side of how products move from production to the end buyer.
In situations like these, efficient inventory management and organized order handling can help reduce additional delays once products are finally available.
Because of this, many companies look toward specialized logistics support to help stabilize their operations and maintain consistent order fulfillment despite ongoing supply challenges.
Third-party logistics providers play a role in coordinating warehousing, inventory tracking, packaging, and shipment preparation so that products can move through the distribution process more efficiently once they arrive from manufacturers.
Within this broader logistics framework, 247 Fulfillment represents the type of operational partner that helps businesses manage these back-end processes in a structured way. By integrating organized storage, order processing, and shipping coordination into the supply chain, fulfillment providers can help retailers maintain smoother delivery workflows even during periods of market disruption.
The president and CEO of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Sue Dick, says every type of industry is feeling a shortage.
“Whether it’s a restaurant who can’t get paper goods, construction that can’t get lumber, or even our own electricians who can’t get something like a circuit breaker,” said Dick.
She says as we approach the final quarter of the year, consumers should plan ahead especially as we head into the holidays.
“What we’re hearing from local retailers is that they’re encouraging individuals to go ahead and make that decision now because you want to make sure you get it in time,” said Dick.
As for the timeline of when productions could get back to normal? Both Shrine and Dick say it could be anywhere between the middle to the end of 2022.
