Retailers including Next and The Entertainer to pause next day deliveries ahead of Christmas

RETAILERS including Next and The Entertainer are planning to pause next day deliveries in the run up to Christmas.

The increased demand over Black Friday, Cyber Money and Christmas could put too much pressure on online delivery services.

AlamyThe Entertainer usually offers express delivery but could be forced to pause that service[/caption]

Shops have previously been forced to freeze next day delivery services at busy times.

The situation could be worse this year as retailers are already struggling with reduced staffing levels and a HGV driver shortage.

Toy shop chain The Entertainer said that it will only offer an express delivery service if it can guarantee customers will get their packages when promised.

A spokesperson said: “The Entertainer offers an express delivery service which is next working day, wherever possible we want to ensure that customers are able to choose a delivery service that works for them.

“However, during our busiest times of the year, to manage our customers’ expectations and to avoid letting our customers down, we would only offer this service if we could fulfil next working day delivery.”

Meanwhile, Next is considering a plan to bring forward the daily cut-off times for next day orders, according to Retail Gazette.

Last month the retailer warned that “some areas of the business are beginning to come under pressure, most notably staffing for peak seasonal demand in warehousing and logistics”.

In its latest financial results it said: “We anticipate that, without some relaxation of immigration rules, we are likely to experience some degradation in our service in the run up to Christmas”

The Sun has contacted Next for further comment.

Meanwhile, last week the boss of Sainsbury’s warned customers that some of their favourite festive foods could be in short supply this Christmas.

The supermarket’s chief executive Simon Roberts told customers “some popular products will be hard to find”.

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