Retailers and suppliers say the supply chain challenges that began with the pandemic are persisting, and they have little confidence that improvements are coming.
Beverages were particularly a challenge in second quarter, with 72% of retailers reporting supply disruptions of packaged beverages and 67% reporting supply challenges with beer. Also, two in five industry suppliers (38%) said they faced “significant” levels of disruption for materials necessary to create their products.
Compounding inventory challenges in second quarter, three in four retailers (76%) say it was difficult to fill available positions. Only 2% of retailers surveyed said they did not face hiring challenges.
Supply chain disruptions also extended to equipment: 79% of retailers say they experienced delays with store equipment/hardware deliveries this year and 41% say they postponed store equipment orders or new store construction/remodel projects because of supply chain delays.
Confidence among convenience retailers and suppliers that improvements are coming is low: Only 25% of retailers and 27% of suppliers are confident that supply disruptions will improve in the second half of the year.
