There’s some evidence to show the disruptions in the supply chain are beginning to ease, but experts aren’t expecting a full return to normal until sometime next year. According to this Wall Street Journal article, factory closures, energy shortages and port capacity limits in Asia have improved in recent weeks, and major retailers in the U.S. have most of what they need for the holiday shopping season. In addition, ocean freight rates have fallen from record levels. The Journal reports, however, that despite some improvement in supply chain problems, continued strong demand for consumer goods, ongoing port congestion in the U.S., the shortage of truck drivers and elevated global freight rates continue to hinder any recovery, which could also be threatened by continued flare-ups of COVID-19 cases, and extreme weather events.