As the highly anticipated Black Friday sales event quickly approaches during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ParcelHero group is urging retailers to rethink their approach in order to avoid the delivery chaos that marred the shopping extravaganza back in 2014. With the UK bracing for a potential national lockdown, the parcel delivery industry is on high alert for the impact of the £8.29 billion Black Friday monster on their operations.
Online sales for 2020 have already surged by a significant 53% compared to last year due to the prolonged effects of the pandemic. The looming Black Friday frenzy has raised concerns that this surge in demand could once again overwhelm delivery partners, leading to a repeat of the delivery nightmares experienced in 2014. David Jinks, head of Consumer Research at ParcelHero, emphasized the difficulties faced by retailers and delivery companies during the previous Black Friday event, with websites crashing and supply chains disrupted due to the overwhelming demand.
To prevent a similar scenario this year, ParcelHero is advocating for an extension of Black Friday 2020 into the first two weeks of December. By spreading out the sales period, retailers and their delivery partners would have a better chance of managing the surge in orders and ensuring prompt deliveries during the peak holiday season. Jinks cited the example of France, where major retailers have agreed to delay Black Friday until December after the lockdown, questioning why a similar approach cannot be adopted in the UK.
In 2019, the Black Friday-Cyber Monday sales in the UK reached a staggering £5.55 billion, with a substantial portion of Christmas peak deliveries consisting of online shopping orders. This year, retailers are bracing for an estimated 592 million parcels to be handled in the run-up to Christmas, with the peak demand expected between 27-30 November coinciding with the critical lockdown period in England. The specter of Black Friday 2014 looms large as a stark reminder of the potential chaos that could ensue if proactive measures are not taken.
As the countdown to Black Friday commences, retailers and delivery partners must collaborate to ensure a seamless shopping experience for consumers while safeguarding the health and safety of all involved in the delivery process. The hard-learned lessons from the past must be heeded as the industry prepares for what could be a pivotal moment in this unprecedented holiday shopping season.
To read more about how Black Friday emerged as a global shopping phenomenon, click here.
For tips on how to shop safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit here.
