<p>Joey Thurman: The holiday season is fast approaching. It's been reported that there's a supply chain shortage, not only in the states but across the world. I'm at the Fox Valley Mall. We're going to talk to business owners and big business to see if there's a supply chain shortage, how they're handling it and preparing for the holidays. And we're also going to talk to some customers to see if they're getting an early rush in on the holiday rush.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: All right, Brendan. So it's Christmas season coming up. Do you see any increase in shopping for people now?<br /><br />Brendan Johnson: You know, I think with the changes that have been happening over the course of the past just year alone, we've been seeing a lot of increases in traffic. We've seen a lot of people come through. It's exciting to see a new crowd come in pretty much every day.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Now, have you seen an influx of holiday shoppers try to come in early?<br /><br />Speaker 3: We have actually gotten a few shoppers coming in, buying a few advent calendars in fear that they're going to run out.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Mm-hmm (affirmative).<br /><br />Speaker 3: But I have not seen a shortage on advent calendars personally. And we haven't had an influx of shoppers, just a few extra.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Okay. Is there a concern that maybe there won't be enough books or toys or anything coming in?<br /><br />Speaker 3: We are getting shorter and shorter on our supply, specifically in Manga, but I haven't seen a huge shortage personally.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Have you had a hard time getting more stock in? Is there any supply chain issue with you guys?<br /><br />Speaker 4: Yes and no. Depends on what kind of stock it is.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Mm-hmm (affirmative).<br /><br />Speaker 4: There's still issues with the barges out to the West being block and stuff like that. So some of our stock is still on those ships.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Okay.<br /><br />Speaker 4: So once that kind of stuff, once they get the ships on land, then we'll usually get more stock influx.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: As a company as a whole, have you guys been aware that this might be a potential issue in the past year or so?<br /><br />Speaker 4: I mean, we're definitely aware that it could be an issue.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Yeah.<br /><br />Speaker 4: Since I'm the lowest part of the totem pole, I don't have much direct control over that kind of stuff. But obviously, there's been shortages all over the world...<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Right.<br /><br />Speaker 4: ... so we've definitely experienced some of that as well here as a retail business.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Now, you're in the mall. Are you going to do early holiday shopping this year?<br /><br />Speaker 5: Yes, I will be shopping early.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Yeah. Have you heard that there might be a slowdown of gifts and products coming in? Yeah. What are you going to try to get early that maybe you wouldn't have in years past?<br /><br />Speaker 5: I think almost everything I'm going to shop for early because when I buy online now my orders are all delayed. Either the supply is backlogged or the delivery date is pushed way back.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Okay. So you might come to the mall to actually get a physical product without ordering it?<br /><br />Speaker 5: Right. If I can.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: Have you heard any supply chain shortages or any stores that seem...<br /><br />Speaker 6: Oh, absolutely. I know Macy's is cutting down on it. I heard JCPenney, usually we would get all our sweaters and everything, they're cutting down too.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: So you're going to try to get there early?<br /><br />Speaker 6: Yeah, definitely. The only holiday place we saw so far is Bath &amp; Body Works, so we did some autumn shopping right now.<br /><br />Joey Thurman: All right. Thank you two. Appreciate it.<br /><br />Speaker 6: Absolutely. Thank you.</p>