With the holidays fast approaching, manufacturers, distribution centers, and e-commerce providers are working to meet growing customer demand, while also navigating severe supply-chain disruptions and mounting labor shortages. At this point, we all had hoped to have the devastating effects of the pandemic behind us. Yet the transportation delays, rising prices, component shortages, and labor challenges facing suppliers and retailers are even worse than last year. And that’s saying a lot.

This year, with retail stores reopened and online shopping in full swing, holiday sales are projected to hit a record high. According to Deloitte’s annual forecast, e-commerce holiday sales are projected to grow 11–15 percent, and retail sales are predicted to increase 7–9 percent this year. To meet this demand, manufacturers of everything from electronics to bicycles and dolls have been ramping up production to accelerate output and prepare for the inevitable onslaught of returns after the holidays.

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