How the delta variant stole Christmas: Empty shelves, long waits — and yes, higher prices

This year, retailers are pulling together contingency plans, finding local and regional alternatives to national carriers and, in some cases, building up their own delivery capabilities. Target is tapping its own workers to drop off packages. Walmart is hiring 20,000 supply chain employees, including order fillers, freight handlers and lift drivers, and is creating a new last-mile service that will help other businesses get orders to customers’ homes.