Last minute Christmas gifts: How to avoid Royal Mail strikes
'Tis the season for... lots of strikes. Namely, the Royal Mail national strike which takes place on 23 and 24 December.
However, as with all the Royal Mail strike action, you can expect delays before and after the official strike days because there'll be a build-up of packages that staff can't get processed in time.
Don't forget, this also affects any retailers that use Royal Mail, so assume that whatever delivery time you are quoted when purchasing online could differ quite significantly in reality. In fact, some retailers such as M&S no longer have any Christmas delivery options available on clothing, beauty or home gifts.
Of course, there is a myriad of other delivery services like DPD, Evri (formally Hermes), and Amazon Prime which could be impacted by a surge in demand, but hopefully will be able to fulfil their usual speedy delivery promises.
There is some good news though if you're a last-minute Christmas shopper - there are lots of options for collecting in-store, which in many cases might be your safest option.
And we've done the research to find out the retailers you'll be safe to shop online with, and still have a strong possibility of being able to get your goodies in time for the Big Day. While this information is currently up to date, we recommend double checking retailers Christmas delivery guidance prior to placing any order.
13 places to shop online and get your gifts on time
Amazon | Shop here
Hurrah for Amazon Prime - next day delivery is currently not impacted as they have their own delivery service. You can also get groceries delivered within one to two hours.
John Lewis | Shop here
Next-day delivery is not impacted. But if you want to err on the side of caution, you can collect in-store from a John Lewis, Waitrose, or selected Co-op and Shell garages. NB: for next day delivery and click and collect you must order by 4pm on 22 December - though we advise trying to do it ASAP to be super confident you'll get your gifts on time. The service is free if your order is £30 or over.
The White Company | Shop here
The retailer uses DPD or Amazon for their deliveries, which means it's hopeful that you'll get things on time for Christmas. However, check out their different delivery cut-off dates to order in plenty of time (for example, their cut-off for next-day delivery to ensure you get it by Saturday 24 December is midday, 21 December).
Very | Shop here
The best option here is their click-and-collect service. Your order will be delivered to one of the thousands of Collect+ stores or Post Offices (on selected lines only) and usually delivered the next working day if ordered before 10pm (Sun – Fri).
Boots | Shop here
Want your order super fast? Simply download the Deliveroo or Uber Eats apps and create an account if you don't have one, then search for Boots. You can also click and collect in-store if you order online, over the phone, or on the Boots app and collect it on your chosen day at selected stores (this is subject to change during busy periods).
Superdrug | Shop here
The retailer offers a super-speedy 30-minute click-and-collect service in over 775 stores. Though be aware that you must order by 4pm on Thursday 22 December to ensure you get it on time. Superdrug uses Evri for deliveries so you can also opt for next-day-delivery if you order by 3pm, Wednesday 21 December, although there are some localised delivery issues at the moment.
Debenhams | Shop here
As the retailer offers next-day delivery via the Evri service, if you order by 22 December, you should get your goodies before Christmas. (And if you sign up for Debenhams Unlimited service, you can get free next-day delivery for a year for just a one-off fee of £9.50).
Lakeland | Shop here
With both express delivery via Evri (at a cost of £3.00 for orders over £50, and £6.95 for those under £49.99) and a free click-and-collect option on eligible orders available from most UK stores, there's a good chance you can get your items before Christmas. Evri can also deliver to a local ParcelShop if you're not going to be home much in the lead-up to Christmas.
Net-A-Porter | Shop here
The luxe online retailer offers Premier delivery via DHL in either the day (between 10am - 6pm) or the evening (between 6pm - 9pm) for a charge of £12. To get your purchases the same day, you need to order by 10am for the day delivery or 2pm for the evening delivery.
Matches Fashion | Shop here
Another luxury retailer, Matches, offers a Premium delivery service via DHL for London addresses (order by 8pm on Friday, 23 December). Lucky customers in the capital can also get their goods within 90 minutes (you need to order by 10am on Saturday 24 December). Outside London? You have a next-day option if you order by 5pm on Wednesday 21 December.
Matalan | Shop here
There's a next-day click and collection option for £1.99. And for £4.95, you could get a next-day delivery, but the cut-off point for both of these options is 6pm, Tuesday 20 December so get in quick.
ASOS | Shop here
Your options for getting your gifts on time from this online retailer are next-day delivery, as well as a morning DPD click and collect option. DPD has over 2000 collection locations to choose from with pick-up locations including Halfords, Sainsbury's, Rowlands, Post Office, and Numark. But please note the order cut-off date is Wednesday 21 December.
Next | Shop here
One of the safest options is to utilise Next's free stock check option. You simply choose your item online, click Store Stock Checker, enter your postcode and select your nearest store. Place your order and it should be ready to collect in around an hour (you'll get sent a text message). Slightly more risky is the next day click and collect - if you order by 11pm, your items should be available from your chosen store from midday the following day. At peak times you may get charged 25p for this option.
