Getting an artificial Christmas tree may be a headache this holiday season as supply chain disruptions interrupt shipping and cause prices to increase by 20 to 25 percent.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, some retailers in the U.S. are raising their prices this much to keep up with shipping costs. For example, Balsam Hill of Redwood City, Calif., has raised prices by 20 percent on average.
Here's why.
Overall, the average price world-wide to ship a 40-foot shipping container has also more than quadrupled since last year – to just over $10,000 – according to a global pricing index by London-based Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd. Some artificial tree importers are paying $20,000 and up per container or having trouble finding boxes to fill inventories in time for the holiday season.