“We used to get freaked out if we had 15 products out of stock, now we’re at 50 or 60 out of stock.” The most affected items are the holiday classics, such as candy canes.

Only a few companies still make candy canes in North America; the bulk of the rest are made in China. Now Karma Candy, on Emerald Street North, says its production is up 30 per cent since last year.

It's a huge business. - Craig Bliss, candy cane manufacturer. "Our sales of candy canes have exploded - up, in essence, 30 per cent year over year with the same customers," said Bliss.