Arkansas stores see toy shortage as parents begin Christmas shopping

The pandemic has been no stranger to shortages and parents might want to get a head start on purchasing gifts this year because of the most recent one: a shortage of toys.

Local economists said toy shelves are expected to look a little less full this year, and it’s all due to the ongoing saga of the worldwide supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic.

“Presently, the focus is on container ships. This is the time of year when all the Christmas goodies are coming into the ports in both California and New York, and right now there are dozens of those ships waiting outside those ports waiting to be unloaded,” said Dr. Michael Pakko, local economist.

The supply shortage comes at a more difficult time this holiday season when economist predict a 7% to 9% increase in holiday spending.

See the full article from THV11 here.