// A host of major fashion retailers have brought forward their final online order dates for Christmas 2021
// ParcelHero warned that existing deadlines were too optimistic, given driver shortages, port delays and supply chain problems.
A host of fashion 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 ongoing driver shortages, port delays , weather and other supply chain issues.
Closer-to-the-deadline delivery has been a key trend in recent years, but amid the ongoing supply chain crisis currently affecting the UK retail sector, big name brands are playing it safe this year to avoid customer complaints.
READ MORE:
- Asos dealing with supply chain issues as Christmas nears
- Gap cuts outlook for 2021 as sales suffer amid supply chain disruptions
“Delivery issues are already biting,” said ParcelHero 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.”
It’s published a list of ‘Responsible Retailers’ that have brought forward their Christmas final order dates.
These include: Asos (now a day earlier at 23 December); Boohoo, Harrods, Karen Millen, New Look, Topshop and Warehouse that were all 23 December but now moved to 22 December; Cath Kidston: (was 23 December, now likely to be a very early 15 December); and Urban Outfitters (was 22 December now 21 December).
Jinks added: “It’s good to see that some retailers are doing the responsible thing and pulling their final order dates earlier in December to allow time for delays and disruption.”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
