Story Highlights
- Six in 10 unable in past two months to get a product because of shortages
- Similar percentage have experienced significant delays in receiving product
- Altogether, 71% have experienced at least one of these problems
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans have clearly felt the global supply chain disruptions wrought by COVID-19, with most reporting difficulty in receiving goods this summer. Sixty percent of U.S. adults say they have been unable to get a product they wanted in the past two months because of shortages, and 57% have experienced significant delays in receiving a product they ordered. Seven in 10 Americans overall have had at least one of these issues, while 46% have had both.
| Yes | |
|---|---|
| % | |
| Inability to get a product due to shortages | 60 |
| Significant delays in receiving a product you ordered | 57 |
| Summary | |
| Experienced one of the two problems | 71 |
| Experienced both problems | 46 |
| Gallup Panel, July 19-26, 2021 | |
These findings are based on a July 19-26 Gallup survey, conducted by web using the nationally representative Gallup Panel. The same poll finds that 83% of adults have experienced "significant price increases" in the past two months, another byproduct of the COVID-19-related economic disruptions to manufacturing, shipping and labor supply.
Supply Chain Woes Hitting All Incomes and Regions
As would be expected, given the systemic nature of today's supply chain problems, similar percentages of Americans in all regions of the U.S. report having each of the three challenges tested in the survey.
Americans in upper-income households -- those earning $90,000 or more -- are more likely than lower-income adults to report experiencing significant delays in product shipments. This may indicate a greater likelihood on the part of wealthier adults to shop online. However, higher-income adults are no more likely than others to report being unable to get a product or noticing price increases.
| Unable to get product due to shortage |
Significant delays in receiving a product |
Significant price increases |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | % | |
| U.S. adults | 60 | 57 | 83 |
| Region | |||
| East | 58 | 54 | 83 |
| Midwest | 60 | 58 | 79 |
| South | 61 | 56 | 83 |
| West | 62 | 58 | 84 |
| Household income | |||
| $90,000 or more | 62 | 63 | 82 |
| $36,000 to $89,999 | 60 | 55 | 83 |
| Less than $36,000 | 58 | 48 | 81 |
| Gallup Panel, July 19-26, 2021 | |||
Implications
From the toilet paper shortage at the beginning of the pandemic to a car shortage today, Americans have experienced firsthand what it means when production constraints or a shortfall of critical manufacturing components means retailers can't keep up with demand.
Not only have supply chain disruptions contributed to rising prices and inconvenienced consumers, but with some healthcare and military supplies also affected, it poses a threat to national security.
U.S. policymakers across the political spectrum have taken note of the supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by COVID-19 and are trying to correct them through renewed focus on U.S. manufacturing and trade policies. This could include "friendshoring," which would involve developing new supply chains with Central and South America to replace or supplement those with China.
In the wake of the pandemic, Americans may have a whole new perspective about such global trade discussions, recognizing the risks to national security that come with global interdependency as well as to their own way of life.
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