More retailers bringing forward Christmas delivery dates amid supply chain issues

Driver shortages, port delays and supply chain disruptions could mean that more retailers will bring forward their final online order dates, as shoppers turn to online stores for their festive purchases.

Delivery specialist ParcelHero warned that existing deadlines were too optimistic given the current strain on delivery services due to the pandemic and Brexit, with a host of major fashion retailers already reducing their order window ahead of Christmas.

The company published a list of "Responsible Retailers" that have brought forward their Christmas final order dates to allow time for further delays and disruption. Some retailers, including ASOS UK, Cath Kidston, Joules, and The White Company have temporarily suspended next day home delivery options.

The list includes ASOS (was 24 December now 23 December), Boohoo, Harrods, Karen Millen, New Look, Topshop and Warehouse that were all 23 December but now moved to 22 December, Urban Outfitters (was 22 December now 21 December) and Cath Kidston (was 23 December, now likely to be 15 December).

David Jinks, ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, said: "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. 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.

"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 relaunched our Christmas deadlines tool again this year."