Get All Access for $5/mo

Small Businesses Are Preparing for an Uncertain Holiday Season Small business owners are preparing earlier than usual for the holidays to mitigate any obstacles regarding supply chain and shortages.

By Madeline Garfinkle

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Betsie Van der Meer | Getty Images

With inflation still at startling highs, small businesses are anticipating a decrease in sales this holiday season, which has promoted many to start their holiday orders now to avoid any lingering issues.

Mark Rhodes, CEO of the online marketplace, Faire, told AP News he's seen an increased number of merchants doing early orders to avoid supply chain delays and shortages. Still, while vendors do their best to prepare for the holiday season, the state of spending remains uncertain this year.

According to the data group Numerator, during Amazon's two-day Prime event on October 11-12, the average order was $13 less than it was last year, signaling more cautious spending.

Related: 6 Ways Brands Can Prepare For the Holiday Season Right Now

"The one thing we're certain of is it's not going to be predictable … We really don't know what to expect and our retailers feel the same way," Rhodes told the AP.

Vendors are also preparing for the transition from online to in-store shopping. While the pandemic caused a surge in e-commerce sales, several small business owners told the AP that they are prioritizing in-person shopping this year as online sales have slowed.

Mariana Leung-Weinstein, who sells booze-infused jam and marshmallows, told the AP that she's stocking up in retail stores early this year in the event of stagnant online traffic.

"I expect people will enjoy seeing and touching things in person this time around, which puts more of my focus in getting my products in physical stores in time for the holidays," she told the outlet.

While it's too early to determine sales data for this holiday season, one thing's for certain: small businesses are doing everything they can to stay afloat.

Related: Your Holiday Shipping Is About to Get a Lot More Expensive as USPS Jacks Up Prices

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

At Age 15, He Used Facebook Marketplace to Start a Side Hustle — Then It Became Something Much Bigger: 'Raised Over $1.6 Million'

Dylan Zajac, now a 21-year-old senior at Babson College, wanted to bridge the digital divide.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Innovation

These Entrepreneurs Created a League That Turns Gamers Into Pro Race Car Drivers: 'We're Giving Drivers a Sustainable Career Path'

Racing Prodigy's innovative E2Real sports league is lowering the high-cost barrier to entry for drivers to take their passion to the track.

Business News

OpenAI Just Released Its Text-to-Video Generator, Sora. Here's How the New AI Could Impact Small Businesses and Creators.

Sora has a variety of use cases for businesses, from social media campaigns to video creation.

Business News

'Faster, Smarter, and More Relevant': Reddit Tests AI That Combs the Site For You

The AI is like a blend of Google and ChatGPT, tailored specifically for Reddit.

Science & Technology

Machines Are Surpassing Humans in Intelligence. What We Do Next Will Define the Future of Humanity, Says This Legendary Tech Leader.

Craig Mundie, co-author of "Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope and The Human Spirit" dives into the unrivaled power of AI.