Fireworks shortage looms ahead of Fourth of July

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Global fireworks shortage threatening Fourth of July celebrations

The night sky may be a bit less bright on July 4 this year, with a worldwide fireworks shortage set to put a damper on Fourth of July celebrations.

The celebration of American Independence from British rule is the biggest fireworks event of the year, according to Dynamite Fireworks, but supply chain shortages and logistical issues are threatening to put a kibosh on the annual festivities.

Stephen Pelkey, CEO of Atlas PyroVision Entertainment Group, told Yahoo Finance Live that people should plan on buying their pyrotechnics well in advance.

“The only way to get around (the shortages) is if you’re going to need fireworks for the Fourth of July, buy it early, if you’re going to need fireworks in August or September, buy it now,” Pelkey said. “Because there may not be those items or even any of the particular items that you’re really interested in.”

According to Pelkey, the fireworks industry set numbers records during a pandemic-ravaged 2020, with consumer sales doubling from $900 million to $1.8 billion.

“Naturally, you’re going to have a disruption of having a lot of those companies try to resupply at those levels,” Pelkey told Yahoo Finance Live.

Other contributing factors, according to Pelkey, include forced shutdowns of factories in China, delays in shipping and an increase in shipping costs that ranged from 250% to 300% beyond normal.

“With the continuing ongoing global shutdown and having probably only about 70% of the ships in operation, the ports just aren’t able to handle (this level of operation) because globally, you just don’t have a lot of this infrastructure that is completely back in service,” Pelkey told Yahoo Finance Live.

The shortage also means that fireworks are going to be more expensive to purchase. According to Alan Zoldan, executive vice president of Phantom Fireworks, consumers shouldn’t expect their dollar to go as far.

“If you pay the same amount, you’re going to get less,” Zoldan told CNN Business. “There’s no question in my mind.”

Recommended for you

Why Are IT Companies Changing Their Purchasing Strategies?

What is the global supply chain’s status in 2023 and how can businesses look at today’s supply chain and form an IT purchasing strategy?

How AGVs and AMRs Make Warehouses More Efficient

AGVs and AMRs could run night and day, cataloging shelves and updating inventory databases without the tedious, time-consuming cost of paying workers a salary.

How to Reduce Instances of Injury in Your Warehouse

However, there are ways to improve employee safety in the warehouse. Here are seven strategies to reduce injuries and ensure warehouse workers stay safe on the job.

Edge of Tomorrow

For over 25 years, Inseego Corp. (Nasdaq: INSG) has been broadening the limits of wireless technology, providing superior wireless connectivity for global service providers, enterprises, and government entities.

From Crazy Deals to Three Square Meals

Customers love Ocean State Job Lot, and Ocean State Job Lot loves its customers. While it’s the Crazy Deals and opportunistic buys that bring customers in, it’s the experience that keeps them coming back.

Your Ship Will Come In

AI is powering the shipping process, and with the increased focus on decarbonization in shipping, it’s helping sustainability efforts as well. Automated cargo ships are on the horizon, and they’re heading this way.

Trade Show Exhibit Trends: What’s Hot and What’s Not

Effective trade show exhibits need to grab visitors' attention, communicate the brand message, and encourage engagement.

How to Prevent Blockages in Your Fleet

Transporting products from one place to another is more challenging than ever, and fleet operations present a number of difficulties for companies. Fleet managers can't just focus on one part of the transit supply chain if they want to run at peak effectiveness.