// The Entertainer CEO Gary Grant warns Xmas presents may not arrive on time if second lockdown is extended
// He says some stores should open next month so they can meet the spike in demand before Christmas.
The boss of the UK’s biggest toy chain has warned that some children’s presents will not arrive in time for Christmas due to a shortage of couriers if shops are kept shut through December.
The Entertainer chief executive Gary Grant told the PA news agency there “is not enough delivery capacity” if the current four-week lockdown in England is extended next month.
It came as the retail boss vented his anger at shopping centre giant Westfield, accusing it of “playing hardball” after it threatened legal action over outstanding rent at the start of England’s second lockdown.
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Grant said The Entertainer had seen one of its strongest ever Octobers last month as consumers moved their shopping forward due to the pandemic.
He said the retailer was prepared for the second lockdown, with click-and-collect services in place at stores and an investment into expanding its online capacity.
However, he stressed that it would still be vital that some stores open next month to ensure retailers such as his can meet the spike in demand they typically see before Christmas.
“Last year, we were delivering at 100 per cent capacity in the run up to Christmas so it’s hard to even contemplate what will happen if stores stay shut,” he said.
“In that case, we won’t be able to deliver all presents in time because there just aren’t enough white vans for all retailers to deliver these goods to homes.”
The BRC is among groups calling on people to start their Christmas shopping early amid concerns that closures this month could lead to a challenging December.
England’s lockdown, which started last week, is slated to end December 2.
with PA Wires
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