Toys could be RATIONED at Christmas as surge in online orders hits retailers – and Xmas dinner is under threat
CHRISTMAS toy orders may be rationed this winter due to a surge in online orders - and shoppers face delivery delays too.
The traditional Christmas dinner is under threat as well, with fears of a turkey shortage due to a lack of available workers to process the birds.
Experts are warning a flood of online orders, combined with shop closures and staff shortages have created the perfect shopping storm for the Christmas season.
The second lockdown in England has pushed more Brits to shop online, adding pressure on delivery networks already feeling the strain.
It comes as shoppers were urged in September to order Christmas presents early this year to avoid delivery backlogs.
Earlier in November, grocery shoppers were also warned about Christmas delivery chaos as slots fill up fast.
Can I return a Christmas order that arrives late?
IT can be really frustrating if you order a Christmas present and it doesn't arrive on time.
If you want to return your gift, for example, because you had to buy something else, we explain your rights.
For presents ordered by the store's last delivery date - the one it advertises online - you will be entitled to your money back if you no longer want the item.
You'll need to have proof of when you placed your order, such as an email confirmation.
The retailer will also expect you to return the item. According to , the store you purchased the product from will usually be responsible for covering return costs, but this does depend on its terms and conditions, so read carefully.
If you want to keep the gift, you may be able to claim back some cash from the delivery costs. Contact the retailer to see what it can offer you.
If you paid extra for specific-day delivery, and it arrived after this date, the retailer should off you money back on the delivery cost.
Or at the very least, you'll get the difference in price between its standard delivery and premium delivery.
Plus, with all non-essential retailers in England forced to remain shut during Black Friday this year, even more shoppers will have to shop online.
Dino Rocos, who runs the Future Retail Logistics consultancy, told The Sun couriers could be forced to cap the number of orders they can handle.
First reported by , he predicts shoppers wanting items by Christmas could have to order up to 10 days in advance – which is double the norm.
While David Jinks, of courier firm Parcelhero, added that he's seen "the Mount Everest of peaks" in online order demand this year.
He added: "All you need is bad weather or something else to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
"If I wanted to place an order for Christmas I would do so very soon."
Meanwhile, Lego is reportedly having to ration its toys to shops due to a supply issue.
Gary Grant, founder of The Entertainer, told The Mirror Lego slashed his November delivery to 40% of what was ordered.
He said: “I would be surprised if I get more than that in December. Lego is having a problem in terms of supply.
“If you are planning on getting a Lego set for Christmas, do not leave it until December.”
Lego’s issues are due to booming sales of its products, which have risen since the start of the first lockdown.
The toy brand told The Sun its factories are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep up with demand.
A spokesperson added: "We are collaborating closely with our retailer partners to meet the high demand and make sure our products are widely distributed in a fair manner in order to reach children and families."
Other popular toys that could be in short supply this Christmas include Barbie and board games such as Monopoly.
Mr Grant said it was the worst threat to supplies across so many different products in his more than 40-year career in the toy industry.
The Entertainer has also warned Christmas gifts may not be delivered in time if shops stay shut through December.
Mr Grant recently told the PA news agency there “is not enough delivery capacity” if the current four-week lockdown in England is extended next month.
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The Felixstowe port in Suffolk has also seen a surge in container traffic as retailers prepare for Christmas, while 11,000 containers of government-ordered PPE are clogging up the port too.
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John Roberts, boss of online electricals firm AO.com, told The Sun this could result in further product shortages.
He added: "We’ll have a much better picture at the end of November."