The home delivery expert ParcelHero says many stores have now pulled back their order dates for Christmas deliveries. Canny shoppers are abandoning expensive express services while strikes threaten to disrupt deliveries. This has led to some dramatic changes in retailers’ final order dates to ensure gifts don’t miss the big day.
ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: ‘Many of our favourite stores have woken up and smelt the eggnog and are rapidly dragging back their final order dates for Christmas. Already, stores such as Boohoo, Currys, HP, Paul Smith and PC World have pulled back their last order dates by several days.
‘There are two main reasons why retailers are already revising their final order dates. Firstly, planned strikes affecting traditional postal deliveries just before Christmas could throw final order dates into disarray. Secondly, last-minute express and next-day deliveries can cost at least a fiver extra compared to standard delivery options. Cash-strapped Brits, facing higher bills and galloping inflation, simply don’t have the money to burn on expensive delivery options.
‘Many retailers will also be trying to save money by slashing Christmas delivery times. They pay their delivery partners extra for faster service. That’s normally a worthwhile expense at Christmas, as these faster options can give them an advantage over their competitors. But this year’s Austerity Christmas will see shoppers spend an estimated £4bn less than in 2021. Stores will feel the impact of this reduced spending and cannot afford to waste money. As struggling retailers Joules and Wilco will confirm, times are hard.
‘Here’s our list of Responsible Retailers who have pulled back their Christmas final order dates:
- Boohoo: was 23 December, now 21 December
- Cath Kidston: was 22 December, now 21 December
- Currys: was 23 December, now 18 December
- HP: was 21 December, now 15 December
- Paul Smith: was 23 December, now 19 December
- PC World: was 23 December, now 21 December
- Selfridges: was 24 December for London postcodes, now 23 December
- The White Company: was 23 December, now 22 December
‘Given the current strain on delivery services, we won’t be surprised if even more retailers pull back their final order dates as Christmas nears. That’s why our continually updated Christmas deadlines tool is so useful for keeping shoppers in the know with their favourite retailers’ final order dates.
‘To check the easy-to-use retailers’ final order and final mailing dates tool, see: https://www.parcelhero.com/events/christmas-gifts-delivery
