Pulled forward orders for Christmas products by 6 weeks
Early stock build evident across the retail sector
Retailers also turning to more air freight
The Entertainer air freighted 45,000 teddies from China

LONDON, Nov 25 Reuters BQ and Castorama owner Kingfisher said it was well stocked with Christmas products, thanks to a strategy of building up inventory early to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruption.

European retailers have faced a year of disruption from the Red Sea shipping crisis, with ongoing Houthi rebel attacks near the Suez Canal forcing cargo ships to take a much longer route around Africa.

Home improvement retailer Kingfisher, which reported thirdquarter results on Monday, said it shipped orders for Christmas decorations, artificial trees and fairy lights up to six weeks earlier this year to ensure availability for customers.

The move has been mirrored across the sector.

Earlier this month, FTSE 100listed discounter BM, which sells everything from garden furniture and electrical items to toys, said it had consciously built its autumnwinter stockholding early to remove the risk of supply chain snarls.

Similarly, Swedish giant IKEA, pulled forward orders of its VINTERFINT Christmas collection of tableware, ornaments, gifts and decorations, with around half the range sourced from Asia where disruptions have been most keenly felt.

Warsawlisted European discount retailer Pepco Group has also said it is shipping product earlier.

The group, which…