2020 was marked by shortages of toilet paper, Clorox wipes and mac and cheese at the supermarket. But this year, new shortages are popping up as the pandemic tests the global supply chain in ways Americans haven’t had to worry ...
Computer chip crunch hits car buyers
A global shortage of semiconductor chips, driven by limited supply and skyrocketing demand, is hitting not only the electronics industry but automakers as well. As cars have evolved to include more electronic features, they’ve relied on more semiconductor chips to produce. Demand for new vehicles has bounced back quickly from pandemic lows in early 2020, and the ongoing shortage could trickle down to consumers. Experts have said it could become more difficult for car buyers to find specific models or colors.
Where can I get a PS5?
2020 was the biggest year for video game hardware sales in a decade, according to a recent NPD Group report. But a combination of insatiable demand and supply chain issues, similar to what automakers are seeing, have limited the availability of new video game consoles, including the Xbox Series X and Playstation 5. Both Sony and Microsoft released their next-generation game consoles in late 2020. To the dismay of fans, they sold out almost instantly. Two months later, consumers are still scrambling to get their hands on the consoles, which can sell out online in a matter of seconds after new stock is posted. The boom in consumer electronics sales as more people stayed home during the pandemic is partially to blame, but Sony and Microsoft recently said they're both struggling with shortages of computing hardware as well. Earlier this month, Sony said the shortage of new consoles could get worse before it gets better and may continue through 2021.
The urge to get outside
Waiting lists to purchase popular Trek bikes at local shops have hundreds of names on them, and some models can take three to eight months to arrive, even at the company’s branded stores. Demand for outdoor exercise blossomed during the pandemic and hasn’t waned.
If you like that couch, buy it
Furniture retailers are encouraging shoppers to first shop in-stock products because of unpredictable delivery dates. That’s the message at Nebraska Furniture Mart, which says that because of the COVID-19 crisis, “manufacturing delays with many of our vendor partners are causing inventory shortages and shipping delays.”
Ammunition is ‘hell to find’
A confluence of political turmoil, pandemic hoarding and manufacturing problems has made firearm ammunition tough to find. There are shortages of rifle, shotgun and pistol ammo at some of the bigger stores such as Bass Pro Shops and Academy Sports. Some stores have dialed back on firearms and ammunition sales under political pressure at the same time that FBI statistics indicate a record number of gun sales in 2020.
