As postage strikes and heavy snow cripple the country, shoppers are starting to wonder if it is too late to finish their Christmas shopping.
With Royal Mail workers set to carry out further strike action in the days before Christmas, shoppers are being advised to order their gifts or send cards early to avoid disappointment. While times are no doubt tighter this year, there is still a glimmer of hope for last-minute gift-givers.
Anyone hoping to post parcels or cards using 1st Class (both normal and signed), Tracked 48 and 24-hour delivery services still have time to drop their packages off no later than this Friday (16 December).
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According to the Royal Mail website, Tracked 24 is still guaranteed up until Monday, December 19, with Special Delivery Guaranteed having a last-chance cut-off date of next Wednesday (December 21). However, in light of the recent postal strikes across the nation, Royal Mail is advising that some items may still fail to reach their intended destination by December 25.
Many of the country's most-used gift retailers however are also feeling the strain of the industrial action, warning that orders placed between now and Christmas may not be received in time.
Funky Pigeon, for example, recommends that customers order as early as possible and upgrade their delivery options to avoid disappointment.
On their website, they advise customers purchasing gifts and cards to choose the Tracked 24 or Special Delivery services at the checkout, with a warning that even these may still be subject to delays.
Orders containing giant cards, alcohol, flowers and plants will still be available for next-day delivery, as they will be sent via courier delivery services which should largely remain unaffected by the strikes.
The Funky Pigeon website also states that the last date for guaranteed delivery before Christmas is 2pm on Friday, 16 December (or 6pm for cards). Customers buying balloons and giant cards should check out before 4pm on Thursday, 22 December and the last chance to send flowers and alcohol is Friday, December 23.
Fellow retailer Moonpig.com has also expressed concerns about the ongoing delays to postal deliveries across the UK.
Even with their catchy jingle and a huge choice of customisable gifts and cards, the online gift retailer is already suffering as shoppers look to save money by shopping on the High Street.
In their half-year results, the gift supplier said they were already suffering as a result of "disruption to the UK regulated postal service because of industrial action at Royal Mail during September and October”. This Christmas, Moonpig will once again be at the mercy of the postal service.
They say the last date for card only orders delivered by first class is Friday, December 16 depending on strikes and the last date to order gifts in time for Christmas delivery is Tuesday, December 20.
Their last date to order flowers for delivery pre Christmas is Friday, December 23rd but customers can still add a card to any gift order is placed together by Tuesday, December 20.
Flowers, plants and balloons may be more likely to reach their recipients in good time as Moonpig uses courier services to deliver these.
Online greetings card marketplace Thortful is asking customers to keep in mind that Tracked 24 orders may be delayed by 1-2 working days and First Class orders may be delayed by 2-3 working days.
Customers ordering gifts are being advised to select DPD as the delivery option at checkout.
For many online sellers, earlier cut-off dates could mean that they miss out on the traditional last-minute orders placed in the days before Christmas. Without being able to guarantee delivery, shoppers will no doubt choose to pound the payments to buy cards and gifts in-store instead.
How can I make sure my order is delivered?
Shoppers that opt to buy from companies that use courier companies are most likely to experience fewer problems with delays.
Big-name brands like Next, Asos and Amazon, for example, are still offering free next-day delivery with most parcels reaching their recipients in the timescale quoted.
Alternatively, many high street retailers are suggesting shoppers visit them in-store to purchase their Christmas cards and gifts or order them online for in-store delivery or click-and-collect services.
Bookseller Waterstones have already brought forward their last order dates for online shopping to December, 19, and is warning that the industrial action could mean a "delay to quoted delivery times", while festive favourite Marks and Spencer is pushing its click-and-collect service to give their customers a better chance of receiving orders ahead of the big day.
With thousands of postal workers set to walk out on Wednesday 14, Thursday 15, Friday 23 and Saturday, 24 December many online retailers could struggle to see orders arriving in time, including independent retailers selling through online marketplaces such as Etsy and eBay.
Delays and lost parcels will undoubtedly pile more pressure on struggling retailers as shoppers cut back on spending this year in the midst of the cost of living crisis.
For shoppers who remain reliant on the postal service, retailers like Moonpig will continue to offer their extensive range of cards, gifts, flowers and cards, as well as festive hampers and seasonal food and drink.
Cards and gifts can be ordered from the moonpig.com website from Thursday, December 15 for an estimated delivery date of Thursday, December 22, or shoppers can pay £3.99 for the upgraded Royal Mail Tracked 24 next-day delivery service.
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