SHOPPERS have been warned there could be Christmas chaos because of the huge demand for online deliveries this year.
The coronavirus pandemic and the latest national lockdown mean more people than ever are turning to online shopping.
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But experts have warned that the huge surge in demand could leave shops struggling to keep up, despite hiring thousands of seasonal workers and increasing deliveries.
David Jinks of courier firm ParcelHero told the Daily Mail: “Even though many retailers and delivery companies are attempting to hire thousands more staff in preparation for this year’s Christmas peak, this might be difficult to do in practice.
“A capacity crisis is set to cause delivery chaos.
“The double-whammy of families, separated by Covid restrictions, mailing their gifts, plus a shortage of skilled drivers, could prove a mountain too high to climb.”
Supermarkets release dates for Christmas delivery slots through November, giving some who pay for annual delivery passes early access.
Demand is high every year and shoppers have often been unable to get slots in previous years.
Supermarket Christmas delivery slots
Here’s when you can start booking an online delivery slot at each supermarket:
Tesco: 7am on November 13 for delivery saver scheme customers and 7am on November 20 for everyone else
Asda: already open
Morrisons: not revealed yet
Sainsbury’s:
- For delivery on 20 December, slots can be booked from 29 November
- For delivery on 21 December, slots can be booked from 30 November
- For delivery on 22 December, slots can be booked from 1 December
- For delivery on 23 December, slots can be booked from 2 December
Iceland: business as usual with delivery slots released six days in advance so keep an eye out from December 14 to bag a slot for December 20
Waitrose: already available
Check out how Christmas delivery slots work and how to get them.
Christmas delivery slots at Asda for key dates of December 20-24 have already filled up in some areas this year.
Many shops have increased capacity already because of coronavirus but have advised people to shop as early as possible.
And retail experts have been telling shoppers they should get their skates on since September.
The IMRG, the industry body for online retailers, warned that shops could face a 30% increase in online sales during the festive season, or as high as 50% if shops closed.
Non-essential shops like toy stores have since closed due to lockdown with many only offering online delivery or click and collect.
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