Supermarket chains halt Xmas orders in Scotland after weather takes its toll
SUPERMARKETS and online shops – including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda – have halted orders or suspended deliveries, after last week’s heavy snow weather brought the transport network to a standstill.
Many are struggling to cope with a backlog of deliveries after strong downfalls. Couriers including Parcel Force and Home Delivery Network have also been affected, as well as Boots and M&S.
Christmas is the busiest time of the year for online shopping, with an estimated £6.4bn spent over the festive period. Retailers are relying on a sales pick-up after a tough year.
The Tesco Direct website has stopped taking orders from customers in Scotland, saying it could not guarantee Christmas deliveries, while Sainsbury’s suspended deliveries for Scotland.
Tesco said its priority was to deliver goods which had already been ordered.
Grocery deliveries are not affected. Sainsbury’s has suspended deliveries Asda Direct not delivering large items and has stopped orders for in-store collection before Christmas
Parcel Force has suspended deliveries, Boots has suspended next-day deliveries, Asda Direct warned it was unable to deliver large items, such as furniture, before Christmas, and said it had stopped taking orders for in-store collection in the run up to 25 December.