If economists are to be believed, the best time to shop for gifts to make sure they arrive on time for the holidays is now.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, global warming and staffing shortages, retail businesses are already struggling, with small businesses particularly hard hit. With the U.S. Postal Service planning a slowdown and price hike, it looks like the best shopping tactic is to shop in person and avoid shipping completely.

So why not do something great and support a small business in Los Angeles this year? We have made it easy for you by compiling a list of more than 40 independent stores where you can shop for gifts in person this holiday season. Keep in mind that some are short-staffed, and are offering shopping by appointment due to the pandemic. As with our lists of Black-, AAPI-, Latino- and women-owned businesses, this is not meant to be a definitive list but a way to highlight small businesses in Los Angeles.

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