Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- retailer /REE-teyl-er/
- ongoing /ON-goh-ing/
- replica /REP-li-kuh/
- margin /MAHR-jin/
- urge /urj/
[noun] – a person, shop, or business that sells goods to the public
Many online retailers resell products at higher prices.
[adjective] – continuing to exist or develop, or happening at the present moment
There is an ongoing investigation for the incident that happened last week.
[noun] – an exact copy of an object
The food replicas displayed at the entrance of Japanese restaurants are fascinating.
[noun] – the profit made on a product or service
The organization reported a net profit margin of 20% last year.
[verb] – to strongly advise or try to persuade someone to do a particular thing:
They are urging everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Delays at the United Kingdom (UK) ports are having a major impact on retailers, who are warning customers of a looming supply crisis this Christmas. There is an ongoing shortage across the UK that is affecting official Harry Potter merchandise. “A Harry Potter wand used to be £20, now it’s going to be £35-£40. All of the shops are running out of stock,” says Elvijs Plugis, co-owner of collectible shop House of Spells, based in Charing Cross, London. Most of the replicas from the Potter films are currently difficult to source.
Normally, House of Spells generates a 20-30% margin on each wand it sells, but now the shop also has to pay another 25-30% in container shipping costs, as well as up to 30% more on customs charges. London Toy Company, the importer of Harry Potter toys, as well as designing its own British-themed toys for popular brands, says it has now sold out of all of its stock of Harry Potter products. The company now has 35,000 toys held up at ports, amounting to £250,000. Moreover, the delay is adding 2.5-3 weeks to the time frame of order arrival. The toy company’s clients, retail giants like Amazon and Audi, are waiting to receive orders of toys. Alan Simpson, managing director of Toytown, an Ireland-based chain of independent retailers is urging customers to start their Christmas shopping early this year as the selection of products will likely be different in December.
Normally, House of Spells generates a 20-30% margin on each wand it sells, but now the shop also has to pay another 25-30% in container shipping costs, as well as up to 30% more on customs charges. London Toy Company, the importer of Harry Potter toys, as well as designing its own British-themed toys for popular brands, says it has now sold out of all of its stock of Harry Potter products. The company now has 35,000 toys held up at ports, amounting to £250,000. Moreover, the delay is adding 2.5-3 weeks to the time frame of order arrival. The toy company’s clients, retail giants like Amazon and Audi, are waiting to receive orders of toys. Alan Simpson, managing director of Toytown, an Ireland-based chain of independent retailers is urging customers to start their Christmas shopping early this year as the selection of products will likely be different in December.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- When was the last time you visited a toy store?
- Have you ever bought a toy as a gift for someone?
- If you were a UK citizen, how can you be a smart shopper during the supply crisis? Give examples.
- Do you think that port delays are inevitable because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
- In your opinion, what will the toy industry look like in the next ten years?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- impact
- shortage
- normally
- design
- selection