These small businesses are still seeing shipping delays.

Retail sales data for the June-July period indicated that retail sales indicate that consumers are buying when gasoline prices drop. But the headline number is how many businesses are experiencing it on the ground?

“Marketplace” is back with three small businesses across the country for a first-hand look at how the retail economy is doing. One trend: supply chain problems still hinder demand.

Use the media player above to listen to each person’s story.

Eric Vaughn, Eric’s wife, filmed in Detroit

“We’ve been so busy that we’ve had to move just to make appointments,” said Eric Vaughn, owner of Eric I Venn Frames in Detroit. “Our supply chain was very difficult. I had a job for a quilt, and the quilt was too big. We were going to frame it, and we couldn’t find any large Plexiglas. We discussed it with the artist and the artist decided to cut the quilt without compromising the integrity of the fabric and we were able to get plexiglass.

Diane Jenks, bike fitter at HubBub Bikes in Kirtland, Ohio

“Some days you’re a dove, and some days you’re a statue,” says Diane Jenks, who owns her husband’s custom bike business, Hubub Bicycles in Kirtland, Ohio, and is also the host of the “Cycling” podcast. “If they’re told the parts are six months to a year away, business can be very scary right now,” he said.

Irene Kesselman, owner of Ali Cat Toys in Carrboro, North Carolina

For Irene Kesselman, owner of Ally Cat Toys in Carrboro, North Carolina, the end of summer means preparations for the holiday shopping season are well underway. But she is still finding it difficult to find some products. “We’ve ordered fancy wrapping paper, and we’re trying to get it to match the paper, and we’re spending a time and a half shipping the ribbon to us,” he said. “We’re a little behind on making bows. We start making bows in July, so at this point, I don’t feel ready, but I feel ready in a merchandise way.”