Posted by Festive season shopping is likely to be more difficult this year due to supply problems being faced by a growing number of retailers
Christmas supplies at risk as driver shortages continue into next year
Shops are at risk of being left with empty shelves in the run-up to Christmas as recruiters warned that the labour crisis gripping the economy is set to continue until next year.
Lorry drivers are in particularly short supply, causing stock shortages across the construction and hospitality industries, while food manufacturers, pubs and restaurants are also struggling to find staff, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).
Neil Carberry, its chief executive, warned that the labour shortage may also cause delays to online orders and force retailers to increase delivery costs.
He said: “There is a real focus now on how to make sure everyone gets what they need for Christmas. We regard this week, the third week of August, as the week we begin to ramp up for the peak across these sectors.”
It came as Britain’s biggest retailers warned that stock levels have fallen to a record low amid a drop in imports and the jobs crisis…