Retailers bring forward Christmas delivery dates as supply chain problems continue

Retailers have brought forward final online order dates for Christmas delivery as supply chain problems continue to bite, according to ParcelHero. The company had warned that many retailer’s delivery dates were too optimistic given driver shortages, port delays and other supply chain issues.

“Delivery issues are already biting,” said ParcelHero’s head of consumer research, David Jinks. “Right now, some retailers, such as ASOS UK (Lichfield), Cath Kidston, Joules, and The White Company have temporarily suspended their fastest, more expensive, next day home delivery options, which is a sensible move. Given the anticipated problems in supply chains and deliveries created by Covid-19 and Brexit, we were alarmed to find how close to the wire many retailers’ final online order dates were when we re-launched our Christmas deadlines tool again this year.”

The company has compiled a list of retailers who have brought forward Christmas final order dates:

• ASOS: was 24 December now 23 December – though next day deliveries suspended currently
• Boohoo: was 23 December now 22 December
• Cath Kidston: was 23 December, now likely to be 15 December (7 working days)
• Harrods: was 23 December now 22 December
• Karren Millen: was 23 December now 22 December
• New Look: was 23 December now 22 December
• Topshop: was 23 December now 22 December – Topshop is now ASOS and next day deliveries may be suspended currently
• Urban Outfitters: was 22 December now 21 December (9 December for furniture)
• Warehouse: was 23 December now 22 December

“This year, one in three shoppers plan to buy entirely online. In normal times, retailers and their delivery partners could cope with the expected increase in orders. This year, the expected supply chain disruption means there would have been a lot of disappointed little faces around the Christmas tree had dates not been moved,” said Jinks.

“Given the current strain on delivery services, we won’t be surprised if even more retailers bring forward their final order dates as Christmas nears.”

ParcelHero’s continually updated Christmas deadlines tool is available at https://www.parcelhero.com/events/christmas-gifts-delivery