DOMENIC SCHIAVONE, RIGHT, Warwick Mall general manager, says more shoppers have hit the stores earlier in the holiday shopping season this year because of question marks surrounding the supply chain and the new variant of COVID-19. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
Fears that retailers might not be able to restock shelves and that a new COVID-19 variant will curtail public gatherings and activities have apparently pushed consumers to “front-load” the holiday shopping season, according to many involved in the retail industry. Many retailers reported a significant boost in business on Black Friday and on Small Business…