Britain’s favourite retailers have revealed their final Christmas online order dates. Shoppers who leave ordering to the last minute could face a nasty surprise, warns the home delivery specialist ParcelHero.
Stores that only process orders on weekdays have moved their deadlines back this year to accommodate a Sunday Christmas.
ParcelHero has just relaunched its ever-popular retailers’ Christmas deadline tool. It lists fifty of the UK’s favourite stores’ final online ordering dates for Christmas. ParcelHero cautions that not only are some dates earlier this year, but some of our favourite brands have now disappeared entirely from the list after a bruising few months for retailers.
ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: “Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, which presents a problem for all those retailers whose standard delivery options are based around working days. That means many stores, such as Very, Superdry and Liberty have moved their standard options back by at least a day, compared to 2021.
“John Lewis is also already advising that standard orders placed from 21 December onwards won’t get to their destination before 4 January (although its next-day service for smaller items should be in time for orders placed on 23December or before).
“It’s not just standard orders that are impacted, however. A number of retailers’ final deadline options for their fastest services are also being more cautious. For example, Harrods has moved its final order date back from 23 December last year to 21 December this year, and Littlewoods/Very has moved its fastest service back by one day to 22 December.
“That makes a lot of sense, as there could be some Christmas delivery chaos this year. Traditional mail services may be hit by strikes if an ongoing dispute is not resolved over the next few weeks. Additionally, some delivery organisations and distribution centres are struggling with a lack of seasonal staff because the pool of available workers has sunk considerably post-Brexit.
“For these reasons, we strongly advise shoppers not to place their trust in retailers’ final order deadlines. Last year, some companies, including the fashion store Joules, ultimately ditched their fastest next-day delivery options. This can happen when Christmas delivery plans come into contact with reality. This year, we’ve removed Joules from our list, together with previous stalwart Made.com. Joules has announced it is going into administration and Made has already entered administration.
“ASOS, which is a favourite among young online shoppers, also suspended its express next-day services shortly before Christmas last year. The student money website Save the Student has recommended 22 December as its ASOS final ordering day and we’re currently going with this date. ASOS has already specified its next-day evening service will exclude Christmas Day.
“Despite the issues facing some retailers, a number are sticking to their same-day Christmas Eve ordering dates. It’s worth noting that several of these options are only within certain postcode areas – usually around London.
- Amazon: 24 December
- Argos: 24 December
- Net-a-Porter: 24 December (specific postcodes only)
- Selfridges: 24 December (London only)
- Zara: 24 December (London only)
“Click & Collect services may also be available right up to and including Christmas Eve. Remember, however, that the turmoil that has hit retailers over the past few years may mean that the ‘buy now - pick up in store’ option you have traditionally used may no longer be possible. Even though brands such as Debenhams and Topshop still appear on our list, these businesses have largely moved online amid extensive store closures. Alternative collection locations may be available at lockers and parcel pick-up points.
“Given the current strain on delivery services, we won’t be surprised if retailers change to earlier 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 all their favourite retailers’ final order dates.”
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