It's no secret that furniture delivery delays have been rampant throughout the United States these past few months. With the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down ports and factories, not to mention disrupting trucking routes, furniture has been piling up at docks and in warehouses across the country. This article will let you know what's going on behind the scenes of the furniture industry.
The Issues With Domestic Transport
Let's start with the basics. Furniture is typically transported through a number of channels, from ports to warehouses and then to your home. But all of these steps are reliant on truck drivers, who have been in short supply lately due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That means that furniture has been stuck in transit for weeks or even months, resulting in delivery delays of up to six months.
"We have furniture currently sitting in Mississippi; can't get anyone to bring it from them, to us. It's been made for 30 days, and it can't even get here. There's nobody to drive the trucks, and there's no trucks available," said Zack Passmore, the Furniture Mall of Texas's general manager.
International Trade Struggles
Of course, the United States isn't the only country affected by delays. Some of the largest furniture manufacturers are in China and Vietnam, and they too have had shutdowns due to COVID-19. China's zero-tolerance policy toward the virus, has manufacturers on edge, about further delays.
According to The Atlantic, before the pandemic, an average company would spend $2,000-$5,000 shipping a container of merchandise to the United States. Now, the number is more like $30,000, without significant delays.
Other Unforeseen Reasons
While COVID-19 is the primary reason for furniture delivery delays, it's not the only one. The Suez Canal blockade in March of 2021 and the Texas freeze in February of 2021 have also played a role.
In March of 2021, a cargo ship got stuck in the Suez Canal. The canal is a vital transportation route for goods traveling between Europe and Asia, and the 6 day blockage had lasting effects on the supply chain. The lodged ship forced other ships that held furniture to be behind schedule. When the ship was finally unblocked, it was met with congested ports.
The Texas freeze in February of 2021 was another major disruption to the furniture supply chain. Temperatures dropped so low that roads were frozen, and the Texas infrastructure was not equipped to deal with the effects. As many places lost power, several factories had to be temporarily shutdown. Furniture made in the United States depends on the chemical factories in Texas to make foam, and with their shutdown, products were put further behind.
So, what do you do now?
While furniture delivery delays have always happened every now and then, COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem. The virus has shut down ports and factories around the world, disrupting the furniture supply chain. With truck drivers in short supply, furniture is piling up at docks and in warehouses across the country. While international trade is also struggling, COVID-19 is the primary reason for furniture delivery delays in the United States. The good news is that ports are starting to reopen, and hopefully, furniture deliveries will return to normal in the next few months.
The Furniture Mall is still dedicated to helping you find that special piece of furniture for your home, and finding it fast. We have some items in stock, and are able to help you locate furniture within a reasonable time frame (not for all furniture). We have locations in Topeka, Olathe, and Lee's Summit.
These past years have been a test of patience and perseverance for furniture shoppers, and we are hopeful that furniture delivery delays will soon be a thing of the past for everyone involved.