Desperate Christmas shoppers have been left in tears after being told must-have gifts for the festive season had already run out amid a global supply chain crisis.
Panicked parents have reportedly been phoning toy shops in tears as they bid to get ahead of the curve and beat any last-minute rush.
Others have been pictured frantically rushing around shops in Surrey, London and Hertfordshire to stock up on presents to ensure their children's stockings aren't empty this year.
But High Street retailers have warned surging customer demand and persistent logistical challenges mean some Christmas gifts are entirely out of stock more than two months before December 25, the i reports.
Gary Grant, chief executive of The Entertainer toy store chain, predicted top sellers - including Barbie, Paw Patrol and L.O.L Surprise! products were likely to be off the shelves 'sooner rather than later'.
But smaller firms have already had to turn frantic parents away, after shipping costs soared a whopping 900 per cent compared to this time a year ago - meaning a £15 toy truck now costs £7 to ship from the Far East, up from 70p a year ago.
Le Toy Van in Surrey, which supplies gifts to Harrods and Selfridges, said they had already experienced people on the phone 'in tears' over shortages more than two months before Christmas.
Panicked parents have reportedly been phoning toy shops in tears as they bid to get ahead of the curve and beat any last-minute rush. Pictured: People shopping at Smyths Superstore in St Albans, Herts
A man struggles to carry all of the toys he has bought at Smyths Toy Superstore in St Albans, Herts
