By Retailers, who earn a large portion of their revenue during this period, and carriers are redoubling their efforts to mitigate the situation. While some are chartering small freighters at much higher costs (CostCo, Target), others are extending the working hours of their delivery men, drivers and dockworkers (FedEx, UBS, Walmart, and the Port of Long Beach in California).
Will these measures be enough? Some companies are taking the lead: Amazon, Pottery Barn (Williams-Sonoma) or Gap are trying to "stretch the end-of-year shopping season" by launching their advertising campaigns in advance, and by betting on consumers' early shopping. The stakes are high: Americans alone are expected to spend $1.3 billion during the holiday season (Deloitte), or 7 to 9% more than last year. Santa has his work cut out...
