How COVID-19 Disrupted the Global VR Headset Supply Chain
COVID-19 Disrupted the Global VR Headset Supply Chain The Perfect Storm of 2020–2022 Between 2020 and 2022, the VR industry experienced one of the most chaotic periods in its history. Demand for virtual reality headsets surged almost overnight as people around the world shifted to remote work, online entertainment, and digital social spaces. At the same time, manufacturing capacity dropped sharply due to lockdowns and restrictions. This created what many experts describe as a “perfect storm.” On one side, millions of new users wanted VR devices. On the other hand, factories could not produce enough units. The result was empty shelves, long delays, and rising prices across the market. The “Tantalus” Paradox in VR The situation during this period can be described as a “ Tantalus paradox .” Consumers were surrounded by advertisements and excitement about VR, yet they could not actually buy the devices. Headsets were constantly out of stock, and restocks sold out within minutes. ...