But most Americans don’t buy real trees from a lot anymore – they get fake ones.
Though experts are still advising shoppers to buy sooner rather than later.
What’s causing holiday shortages this year?
Disruptions to the global supply chainsparked by the pandemic last year have extended into 2021.
Will there be a ‘fake tree’ shortage in 2021?
“The supply chain pipe has been 95% full for years,” Harman said.
“Right now, especially because everyone’s at home, there is demand for specialty home goods.
All of a sudden, the pipe is running at 120 to 130% capacity.”
They delayed it because they were busy getting Halloween over.
Before Halloween, they were getting back-to-school over.
Everything is behind."
Harman’s advice: If you know what you want and it’s available, buy it now.
Will there be a ‘real tree’ shortage in 2021?
But there’s still a benefit to shopping early.
And since we’re already into December, that means you should shop now.
And there’s always unsold inventory at the end of the season."
Will prices be higher?
Experts anticipated prices for both real and artificial trees would be higher this year, andthey were right.
Increases ininflationand growers' costs, including transportation and labor, are driving prices up, according to O’Connor.
And higher shipping costs will inflate the amount you end up paying for artificial trees, according to Harman.
