// Harrods has delayed its summer sale due to supply chain issues holding up the delivery of new season stock
// Managing director Michael Ward said its supply chain is running two to three weeks behind it should be
Harrods has delayed its famous summer sale because the global supply chain crisis has held up the arrival of new season stock.
Harrods managing director Michael Ward told Bloomberg TV: “Our supply chain is running two to three weeks behind where it should be.”
“A good example of that is we’ve just delayed the summer sale for two weeks because I need another 10% of new-season stock to allow me to function into the new year.”
Retailers across the board have been facing delivery delays as a results of supply chain issues stemming from both Covid restrictions in China alongside disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
READ MORE: In pictures: Harrods H Beauty opens in the Metrocentre
A shortage of staff to move product has also hit the UK particularly hard. Ward said: “t’s almost impossible to find the right staff.
“We’ve lost significant amounts of people as a result of Brexit. And it’s not the skilled or qualified, it’s the people we need to do jobs that unfortunately the British will not do.”
Harrods has faced a difficult couple of years as Covid lockdowns and a lack of international tourists have hampered trade in its core London flagship stores.
However, the luxury department store is now seeking to invest in its in-store and online operations, with plans for H Beauty stores across the UK. Earlier this month it opened its fifth H Beauty at Gateshead’s Metrocentre.
The business also hopes to have a boosted presence in China and the Middle East.
Last month, it hired a new CFO, Tim Parker, who has held a range of senior finance leadership positions across Hong Kong and Malaysia to help it rebound post-pandemic.
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