It’s the most important Chinese holiday of the year and one your supplier is likely looking forward to with great anticipation – Chinese New Year.
The Chinese New Year, known as Spring Festival in China, marks the beginning of the Chinese calendar year, the end of winter, and the first solar term of the Chinese year. This momentous cultural occasion is celebrated with festival that begins on the first day of the first month in the New Year and ends on the 15th day of the year. During this time, migrant workers return home and gather for huge family reunions during which they catch up, feast, and wish each other peace and happiness.
Given China’s significant internal travelers, special arrangements are made with the area’s various methods of transportation, including buses, railways, and airlines, beginning two weeks before the holidays. This time period is called “chunyun,” which literally means “transportation during Spring Festival.” It is the world’s largest annual migration, and it could impact your company’s bottom line if you’re unprepared.
Given the massive relocation of its people, traveling to China during its New Year can be a fruitless endeavor. Suppliers may be difficult to reach or completely inaccessible beginning two weeks prior to the holiday as their workforces head home. During the Chinese New Year, many offices will be closed. Factories may operate on different time schedules -- closing early in the day and reopening much later than usual. Some may even close the week before the New Year and remain closed for the duration of February.
If your company is reliant on Chinese suppliers, you need a plan to ensure your business continues to operate during the holiday.
Mawson Global, a leader in global sourcing, can work with your organization and its Chinese providers to ensure everyone is on the same schedule during the holiday season. The Mawson Global team understands the importance of this holiday to Asian suppliers, and it can help your organization avoid delays and disruptions to its business before, during, and after the Chinese New Year.
The Western holiday season may be over, but for our Eastern friends, the celebrations are just around the corner. This year, the festivities kick off right at the end of January. Make sure your suppliers can celebrate one of their favorite times of year and your business continues to run smoothly during the month February – contact Mawson Global for assistance with your global sourcing, marketing, and commerce solutions.