Early planning, resourcefulness keeps Sauk Valley stores stocked for holidays

It was a November to remember.

Jenny Koch has operated J Boutique in Dixon through five holiday shopping seasons. No question, she said, the customers for the women’s clothing store came out earlier than in years past.

It’s hard to say whether the early surge was attributed to shopper concern about supplies. But Koch, a former accountant, said she placed her orders early so she’d have items in stock.

And it’s continued at a good pace. She says walk-in business is up 35% from last December.

“It does seem like it’s been busy,” said Koch. At one point that morning she had five customers in her downtown shop requiring her attention.

She said there have been slight delays on some clothing. Apparel that would normally take seven to 10 days to arrive now takes up to two weeks.

She’s heard that denim — a favorite winter purchase — is trickling in. Based on early advice from her warehouse, she ordered that far in advance so she was well-stocked for the season.

Her preparation meant that she’s also got the much-needed shopping bags, though she’s heard other stores have been running short on paper products.

“We struggled to get those super early,” she said. “Not as quick a turnaround on those.”

Rhythm of shoppers

Supply chain issues largely seem to have been sorted out, as far as Deanna Prescott can tell, she said. It’s the rhythm of shoppers and shopping that’s changed.

“Business this year has been completely different,” said Prescott, who along with her husband Pete run Jim Prescott’s BBQ Shop in Sterling. “Months you thought would be slow, we continue to be busy. But times we would normally be super busy. … Nothing’s been the same this year.”

Prescott said the business experienced a kink in the supply chain when she put in an advance order for outdoor furniture — and it didn’t arrive until the tail end of the summer buying season, which is June.

Since then, goods have arrived on time. That includes grills. While some manufacturers do assemble in the United States, most are “globally sourced,” Prescott said.

“We are fully stocked and ready for people to buy.”

Grill sales are usually strong in the holiday season of November and December, Prescott said. “People buy grills if they are looking to cook their holiday meals in a different way.”

Creative on containers

Dee Dee Morgan, owner at Flowers, Etc. in Dixon gets busy as Christmas approaches, providing fresh arrangements. For the delivery crew, it’s a weekend of “door dashing” — providing regular customers their gifts, centerpieces, mugs with coffee and teas, lighted signs or silk arrangements.

“Blue is in this year,” she said.

On the supply chain side, Morgan said that sometimes, there can be a disruption in certain varieties of flowers.

Far more common, though, is the constant battle in securing a regular supply of containers for the flowers and gifts. Supplies of containers have been irregular since the start of the pandemic.

Along the supply line, containers get held up. “Where, we don’t know,” she said.

It’s forced her team to be creative in finding or making substitute containers, whether they are of glass, foam, resin or something else.

“We’ve got gals that have been in the business 20 or 30 years,” said Morgan, who leans on that experience, asking how they’ve made due in the past.

Morgan said an association of floral shops has been supportive. “Everyone tries to help each other,” she said. That means borrowing from one another or sharing info when a particular distributor has something that works.

Morgan said it is her understanding that the container disruptions may not let up until 2023.

Managing expectations

Advance planning and a big summer order has enabled Knie Appliance and Furniture in Sterling to have plenty of Ashley Furniture in stock for the holiday.

“If you’re able to stock it, you can sell it,” owner Josh Knie said.

The holiday season is when people come in looking to buy a spare bed for holiday guests or a new dining room table for holiday meals. Those are the items Knie ordered to have in hand, and Ashley has fulfilled those orders within two to 20 weeks.

At the same time, shoppers looking for custom orders, perhaps mixing and matching dining room sets, are in for a real long wait, Knie says. That’s where the supply chain delay can have an effect. An order for a customizable brand could take six or seventh months.

If that’s the case, “you should plan for next Christmas now,” Knie said.

The key is being transparent about delays with customers, Knie said, explaining the maximum wait time for special orders. When things do arrive early, it’s a pleasant surprise.

“We’ve done pretty good in managing expectations,” he said. “We put tags on what is in stock. We explain the wait. Most people have been good about it. If you’re spending a couple of thousand dollars, people get frustrated and its understandable. Under promise. Over deliver.”

Other supply issues have affected the business. Parts for products they service can be hard to come by. He also ordered a new delivery truck in March to expand the fleet for the holiday rush. The truck still hasn’t arrived, he said.