Owners say they re ordering inventory earlier to avoid the supply-chain snags that frustrated them the past two holiday seasons and to draw in early birds.
NEW YORK Small businesses are stocking their shelves early this holiday season and waiting to see how many gifts inflation-weary shoppers feel like giving. Holiday shopping was relatively strong during the past two years as shoppers flocked online to spend, aided by pandemic stimulus dollars. This year, small businesses are bracing for a more muted season, as some Americans spend more cautiously.