£13.5m lost in the South-East on ‘sickies’

A national survey about online shopping habits has revealed that almost three per cent of shoppers in the South-East of England have taken ‘sick days’ from work in order to wait in for a delivery, potentially costing the South-East economy and employers up to £13.5m.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Dec 2015, 07:15 BST
InfographicInfographic
Infographic

The survey, commissioned by Shutl, the online platform that gives people control over their deliveries, raises questions over the UK’s current methods of delivery and has prompted the company to call for businesses and consumers to embrace new approaches to receiving products purchased online.

The findings, which also revealed that almost half of shoppers (49 per cent) in the South-East of England are planning to carry out the majority of their Christmas shopping online this year, suggests that employers could face more ‘Christmas sickies’ than usual as the UK approaches the festive party season.

The survey also revealed how:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

- Over 25 per cent of shoppers in the region are planning to shop online more this year than last year

- 44 per cent of shoppers in the South-East regard Christmas shopping as a ‘necessary evil’

- Online shoppers in the South-East are amongst the UK’s most unreliable with 4.65 per cent claiming to have ditched a purchase after agreeing to ‘click-and-collect’ online

Jason Tavaria, Head of Direct at Shutl, commented: “The research is a real eye opener when it comes to the lengths that people are prepared to go to to avoid getting that ‘missed delivery’ slip through the door. Until now the public has had no choice but to play a passive role when it comes to delivery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“With Shutl, consumers can now be proactive and arrange for delivery to be made at a time that suits them. What we’re calling ‘click-and-don’t-collect’ is the next step on from ‘click and collect’ and we believe that it’s the future of online shopping and will radically improve the online shopping experience.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:FacebookTwitter