Postal delays likely despite seasonal staff

Jersey Post has brought in an extra 40 staff to help with the busy period, including workers from the hospitality sector.

The company said that an increase in online shopping throughout the coronavirus pandemic was contributing to the ‘record numbers’ of items being processed this year.

A spokesperson for Jersey Post said: ‘Bringing in extra people is something we do every year to help with the busier period and they are helping us to get through, although we are seeing record numbers in terms of deliveries.

‘Expect delays, mostly with deliveries from the UK as Royal Mail are also experiencing unprecedented volume, which combined with the weather and Covid are taking longer to process. Covid has caused more people to buy online, although we are encouraging people to buy local.’

Town centre manager Vicky Trehorel agreed that Covid had caused more people to turn to online shopping, and urged Islanders to shop with local retailers wherever possible.

‘Obviously it is an assumption, but people not feeling as confident to go out with Covid-19 has made it very tempting to order everything online and have it delivered straight to your door – which is something retailers have had to contend with this year,’ she said.

A survey undertaken throughout September and October had ‘confirmed’ online shopping would be ‘a challenge for all businesses’, she said.

When asked if they would carry out the majority of Christmas shopping online or in a store this year, 69.5% of respondents said online.

‘At that time, all generations were more likely to carry out the majority of their Christmas shopping online,’ added Ms Trehorel. ‘Those aged 56 and above were on average more likely than the other generations to shop in-store, and Generation X (40-55) were least likely to shop in store.’

Twenty-five per cent of customers also said there was a reason relating to Covid-19 that was preventing them from coming into the town to shop. Ms Trehorel added: ‘Everyone has their own reasons for shopping online, but if we don’t support our local retailers when they need us, they won’t be there to support us when we need them.’