There are supply chain issues around the world caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, and particularly impacting the UK due to the ongoing Brexit fallout. China, the factory of the world shut down in the early stages of COVID-19 and then came the Suez canal block that stalled worldwide transport routes adding to the backlog. Here in the UK ports such as Felixstowe and Liverpool are at capacity with a shortage of drivers to move containers onto their destinations. That’s why Etsy CEO Josh Silverman is calling on shoppers to shop small businesses this Christmas.
In a letter, reproduced below, Josh acknowledges the global supply chain issues and highlights how many of the sellers don’t rely on complex international supply chains meaning there’s never been a better time to shop small businesses.
When you shop small businesses you’re directly supporting a real person and contributing directly to their income and this is something we’ve always supported at Tamebay. We know many of you and have followed your businesses for years. Whether you trade on Etsy or another marketplace, make an effort this Christmas to support your fellow marketplace sellers and shop small businesses, not just because it’s a nice thing to do, but also because when you make the effort to search you’ll find amazing products coupled with fantastic personal service that only an independent retailer can offer.
Josh Silverman encourages us to shop small businesses
“Right now, everyone is talking about a global crisis dubbed the “everything shortage.” Against the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, a series of bottlenecks combined with surging consumer demand is disrupting global supply chains. With the holiday season approaching – and at a time where we’re all in need of some cheer – there’s understandable concern about whether gifting is going to be more difficult in the coming weeks.
At Etsy, we’re following these issues closely, and we’re confident that we can serve as a reliable holiday shopping destination due to the power of our community. The Etsy marketplace is structured differently than many retailers–most of our sellers are businesses of one and don’t rely on just-in-time supply chains to create their unique and handmade inventory. The average Etsy seller works from home without complex overseas production lines and fulfillment requirements, and their supply chain looks a lot more like locally-sourced raw materials and two hands.
Sellers on Etsy proved their resilience and agility at the peak of the Covid pandemic, pivoting their businesses overnight to meet surging demand for everyday essentials while offering the human connection that we all craved during lockdown. I believe they’re similarly well positioned to meet this latest challenge, and we’re focused on doing our part to support them.
Our teams are prioritizing transparency and clear communication with our buyers across the shopping experience, with things like vastly improved estimated delivery dates (nearly every item from a US seller will include an estimated delivery date this holiday season), and the option to filter for local sellers. And we’re preparing and supporting our sellers by providing early and frequent guidance on fulfillment best practices, and adding protective measures to the reviews process to help them avoid negative impacts that are out of their direct control.
Our mission is to Keep Commerce Human, and when you choose to shop on Etsy you’re helping small businesses thrive, even in this turbulent time.”
– Josh Silverman, CEO, Etsy
