Key Points
- As Chinese factories and their U.S. buyers try to navigate tariff uncertainty, there are concerns about whether Christmas merchandise will be able to hit the shelves stateside in time.
- For example, electronic products need to be shipped out of China by early September to hit U.S. shelves right after the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of November, taking into account customs clearance and the distribution chain, said Renaud Anjoran, CEO of Agilian Technology, an electronics manufacturer in China.
- Despite concerns about profit margins, some businesses are hedging their bets by partially refilling orders from China rather than enduring the sight of empty store shelves, said Cameron Johnson, Shanghai-based senior partner at consulting firm Tidalwave Solutions.
