Christmas may not be until the end of December but that didn’t stop retailers from kicking off the holiday season a month earlier. Stores like Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Target have already begun promoting their Black Friday campaigns. For many Americans, Black Friday is a chance to buy the hottest items on the market such as toys, apparel, gadgets, and beauty products. However, this year your shopping may look a little different due to the pandemic.

It’s no secret that 2020 was not exactly merry and bright. And as a result, Black Friday won’t be the same as it was in past years. One of the biggest issues that will have an impact on the shopping festivities is the global semiconductor shortage. Microchip makers were already having trouble with the high demand for the chips pre-COVID, but the issue has only gotten worse since then. Just about everything from electric toothbrushes to computers has a chip in it so this is a big problem. In addition to the chip shortage, there have also been fewer truck drivers. This means products have been arriving later than usual.

Luckily for consumers, the addition of Cyber Monday began on November 28, 2005, and the world of online shopping has grown immensely. Not only is online shopping a great option for those who aren’t vaccinated, but they can take care of all their Christmas shopping from the comfort of their own home.

The Black Friday sales have already begun so whether you decide to shop in person or online, be safe and have fun. Happy shopping!