Warrington is among the top five towns facing potential delivery delays this Black Friday, according to a report by Esendex, a retail communications specialist. The report, titled ‘Delivery Delays,’ analyzed data from Indeed to pinpoint regions at risk of experiencing delays in deliveries during the festive season.
Warrington ranked fourth on the list, with 74.85 delivery job vacancies per 100,000 residents. The North West of England, which includes Warrington, is also grappling with a shortage of delivery workers, with a total of 1,831 vacancies translating to 24.68 vacancies per 100,000 residents. This shortage of delivery personnel could result in delays in getting goods to customers on time.
The surge in online shopping and e-commerce amid the pandemic has led to a spike in delivery volumes, putting added pressure on businesses to meet delivery deadlines. As per the data, 77 percent of consumers limit their shopping to a month before Black Friday to capitalize on discounted items.
Bristol emerged as the city most susceptible to delivery delays, with 98.0 vacancies per 100,000 residents. This shortage in a significant cultural hub could have far-reaching implications for local businesses and shoppers. Surprisingly, London, despite being a major retail hub, has the lowest risk of delivery delays, with a vacancy rate of 13.1 per 100,000 residents. The city’s robust logistics infrastructure ensures a steady supply of delivery workers.
Chris Gorman, the head of commercial transformation at Esendex, shared his insights on the report findings. He highlighted the importance of businesses being proactive in identifying potential bottlenecks in the supply chain, especially during peak shopping periods like Black Friday and Christmas. Gorman recommended leveraging real-time communication tools such as automated SMS solutions and WhatsApp for Business to keep customers informed about delivery progress and any unexpected delays.
Maintaining transparency and facilitating two-way communication with customers during high-demand retail seasons are crucial for ensuring customer satisfaction. Gorman emphasized that businesses that prioritize responsiveness and effective communication can stand out from the competition during such competitive trading periods.
For more details on the research findings, interested individuals can visit the Esendex website to access the full report.
