WALPOLE, Mass. — Giggi Berube owns Giggi’s Bridal in Walpole and she says in the 13 years she’s been selling dresses, she’s never experienced inventory issues like this year.
“Everyone’s anxieties are up, and it’s the first thing, you get the calls from moms, it’s like, should we worry is it coming in?” said Berube.
With prom season just weeks away Berube worries most girls may not get the exact dress or shoes they’re looking for.
“You know sometimes they have to choose a different color,” said Berube.
“We had already stocked up big time for the prom season that never happened,” said John Ricci who owns Delux Tux in Walpole.
Ricci says luckily, they still have tons of inventory from the 2020 prom season that never happened, but he says he’s noticing the supply chain issues too with so many products made in different countries.
“We’ve pretty much had to go the extra mile to find resources,” said Ricci. “We’ve been in business for thirty years and we’ve been in touch with some manufacturers that we haven’t necessarily used recently just to find what we need.”
Retailers say certain items are in shorter supply right now like men’s dress shirts or shoes — whether it’s for prom or weddings.
“I have seven shoes that I just ordered a couple months ago to use as my samples, and when I went to place an order, they said we’re not producing that anymore, and I’m like that’s it?” said Berube. “It’s either the color dyes they can’t get or the crystals or however that shoe is made or where that shoe is made, they just can’t get it.”
“We’ve found both shirts and shoes to be scarce,” said Ricci.
So whether you’re going to a wedding or prom in the next couple months, the best advice:
“Just shop early,” said Berube. “You don’t want to be just picking a dress because you have to pick that color.”
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