SUPPLY SIDE REALITIES FOR SMALLER BUSINESSES

So what is the real deal involving the storeowner selling 1985 Chicago Bears paraphernalia and the overseas manufacturers who sell it? Why are so many shelves emptying out?

The manufacturers can squeeze out the small business by seriously increasing minimum order requirements. Larger chains like Target and Walmart don’t have this problem. But once the overseas company produces and sells stuff to the small business owner, how are the goods shipped to the United States?

Normally stores have to negotiate and often fight for shipping container space.  The Washington Post reports that so-called “spot rates” as in “please may I have some space in your large container Mr. China” have risen from $4,000 per container in 2019 to a current average in 2022 of $24,000. These are the specific challenges faced by a store owner trying to order stock so more folks can share their idolatry for the 85 Bears,