The Bay Area is experiencing an increase in demand to purchase new home appliances but they are experiencing major shortage in supply. It’s not just one issue causing the backlog of orders, but multiple problems. The turnaround time on a typical order Pre-COVID, was one to two weeks but now the wait is over six months.
Most appliance stores in northern California are reporting a short supply. President of University Electric Mike Heintz spoke to KRON4 in Santa Clara, “What we’re seeing is a 700 percent greater demand for appliances than any other time in history and a 60 percent lower ability to produce them — maybe due to social distancing or supply chain interruption.”
Issues are ranging from companies discounting certain items and shortage of supplies. Many of the new appliances have smart features and require a microchip. There is a microchip shortage as well because of COVID — that may be impacting the appliance industry too.
Lastly is the lack of workers. It takes about 8 to 10,000 truck drivers to unload one container ship. There is a truck driver shortage too full container ship of labor off the market.
