Stores face three month wait for Nike, Adidas, ASICS
After two years of interrupted seasons footy players across Melbourne have been hit with an untimely shirt-front.
South East
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Footy is about to kick off and players of all ages are scrambling for boots as retailers warn they could be waiting months.
Supply chain issues in South East Asia have led to cancelled orders and delivery delays of up to three months for popular brands such as Nike, Adidas and ASICS.
The delays are due to the impact of Covid in factories throughout the region in 2021 with production compromised leaving suppliers unable to fulfil orders.
Rebel Chadstone assistant manager Holly Watkins said it could be as late as April before the store’s regular shipment of boots arrived.
Currently the shop had limited sizes available in big name brands.
“We’ve got virtually nothing in popular sizes, especially mens US 9s, 10s and 11s,” Ms Watkins said.
“What we do have is selling very fast and once its gone there won’t be anything else for months.”
Delays to the main shipment would have a domino effect, she said.
“Our follow up orders are done automatically and don’t happen until the previous order has sold.
“So the next order isn’t likely to be placed until well into the season.”
The Athlete’s Foot at Highpoint was also waiting for stock.
A staff member said while limited sizes were available most in popular brands had sold out.
The retailer did not know when the next delivery would arrive.
SportsPower said shortages and cancelled orders had forced the company to halt online sales of boots.
“Supply chain issues are affecting many businesses in Australia right now, and ours is no different,” general manager Campbell Davies said.
“It’s unusual to remove a line like this from our online sales channel but we didn’t have a choice.
“The lack of inventory this football season means we need every pair we’ve got to be available in our stores for our local sports teams.”
Bentleigh Junior Football Club president Dean Crawford said there was always a mad rush getting kids footy-ready and a boot shortage was the last thing families needed after two years of Covid-interrupted seasons.
“We have heard rumours over the last few weeks that retailers might be short of footy boots this season, in light of all the supply and international freight challenges facing the consumer goods industry,” Mr Crawford said.
“We have suggested to members to get in and buy their boots early.
“Our club has actually been running a successful second-hand boot swap for the past few years to help families with the expense of new boots, but if there are boot shortages this year, then it’s even more important.”
