These photos show the impact of shipping delays on stores, with empty shelves and items like bikes and outdoor decor out of stock
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
- I visited four stores to see how shipping delays and worker shortages were impacting them.
- Furniture, outdoor decor, and bikes were nearly out of stock everywhere I went.
- COVID-19 and the Suez Canal blockage have disrupted the global supply chain and changed demand.
Empty and picked-over shelves have become commonplace at some retailers.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The combination of a worker shortage and supply chain issues has made it difficult for brick-and-mortar retailers to keep shelves stocked.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I visited four national retailers around Rochester, NY, to see how locations were impacted.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Target wasn't especially disorganized...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
...though I did notice more empty shelves than usual.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Home decor and outdoor furniture areas looked especially sparse.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Any kind of seating and cushions were almost completely wiped out.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The empty space isn't surprising -
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
- home decor and outdoor furniture sales have exploded over the last year as people have been mostly stuck at home because of the pandemic.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: Insider
Furniture has also been affected by the weeklong blockage of the Suez Canal and congestion at other ports, leading to wait times of several months in some cases.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: Insider
Other outdoor recreation items also had empty spaces on shelves.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Despite having an entire wall display, there were almost no bikes on the floor, and only a few helmets.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Next up, I visited Burlington Coat Factory.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
As a discount store, I was prepared for some messy shelves and disorganization.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The store definitely had plenty of empty shelf space.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The store is in a giant warehouse, though, so it felt like the space was just too big for what the store had to sell, rather than real shortages.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Shelves that seemed empty because they'd been picked over were mostly in home decor sections, much like Target.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Marshall's had some empty shelf space, but nothing too shocking.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Summer necessities like beach towels and chairs seemed most affected.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
There were some stray pieces of luggage without a display. Maybe the rest were all bought up as people anticipate traveling again.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Walmart had both empty shelves and messy, overstocked areas when I visited.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Several aisles looked like they served almost as dumping grounds for whatever didn't have a place elsewhere.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The clothing section was one of the most disorganized.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Like at Target, furniture options were slim and looked very picked over.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Desks, a must-have in a year of working from home, were mostly gone.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Even less expensive home decor items like pillows were in short supply.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Like Target, outdoor products at Walmart seemed to be most affected by shortages.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Bike racks were nearly empty.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The pandemic shut down the supply chain for bikes while also increasing demand, leading customers to pay two to three times more in some cases.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: Insider
Helmets aren't much easier to find, either.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
All kinds of outdoor toys seemed to be out of stock ahead of summer.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Tools like leaf blowers and saws were in short supply at Walmart.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Many people have invested time and money into improving their outdoor living areas, creating shortages in outdoor decor along with furniture.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: CNBC
Grills, which analysts predict will continue to be popular this summer, were also in short supply. That combined with a possible hog meat shortage could impact summer barbecue plans.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: Insider
Even gardening supplies have been affected in a "nationwide plant shortage."
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: Yahoo News
The National Retail Foundation says that spending will likely shift from goods to services as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, which could alleviate some of the strains on the supply chain.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: Insider
Goldman Sachs analysts predict supply chain disruptions will continue until at least early 2022.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: Insider
Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.
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