Christmas shopping
So everything comes in time by Christmas Eve
By when should consumers order or send gifts so that they arrive in good time before Christmas Eve?
© Syda Productions / Shutterstock.com
Because of the pandemic, consumers should order or send Christmas gifts as early as possible in 2021 as well.
Due to the corona pandemic, consumers must expect delays when sending Christmas gifts due to the current situation and the large number of visitors, as they did in 2020. Here is an overview of the order deadlines for some of the largest German retailers and parcel services. Basically, the following applies: Possible delays due to bad weather conditions or other factors that cannot be influenced are not included in the calculation. Special forms of delivery such as express deliveries are usually more expensive than standard delivery.
Amazon
Amazon at the request of the news agency spot on news only indicates that customers can find the expected delivery date on the page of the respective article. They want to do everything for a punctual delivery of the ordered Christmas gifts. In most cases Amazon offers several shipping options, including so-called “premium shipping” and in certain delivery areas also “same-day delivery” for members of Amazon Prime.
Apple
Apple informs in an overview on your own website about the delivery times of different articles before the festival. Not all of the company’s products are shipped in time for Christmas. While the models of the iPhone 13 or the HomePod mini can be ordered until around December 21, customers should have ordered an iPad mini by mid-November.
Conrad
Conrad Electronic customers “who order by December 20, 2021, 12:00 noon, are guaranteed to have their order delivered to their home on December 24, 2021,” according to a statement. “Spontaneous people can use our 24-hour delivery service until December 23, 2021, 12:00 noon at the latest.” If the goods are dispatched before December 15th, there is an extended right of return until January 15th, 2022, even if more than 30 days have passed since the item was received.
HM
H&M currently gives a time window of three to five working days after receipt of the order for standard deliveries on its homepage. However, there are delays due to high demand. The current delivery time will be displayed at the checkout. In addition, there could be longer delivery times during sales and the high season. When ordering from Monday to Friday by 11:00 a.m. and express delivery, the following day is specified as the delivery date. Holidays are excluded. The availability of this delivery option depends on the different items in an order. It is not clear whether this will also be possible in the Christmas week.
MediaMarkt and Saturn
Consumers should order technology from MediaMarkt and Saturn as early as possible according to the current state of the art, as no delivery times are known to date. When asked, a spokeswoman explains that “the exact delivery and order times around Christmas are still in close contact with our logistics partners.” The retail chain will “inform customers immediately” as soon as specific data is available.
Otto
The delivery of Otto items by Christmas Eve is guaranteed if the order is received by December 21, a company spokesman explains on request. For articles with the “Next Day Delivery” option, an order by December 23 at 1 pm is sufficient. Longer delivery times are possibly on the side of a product. An extended right of return until January 31, 2022 has been in effect since November 2nd.
Tchibo
“Order now – and you will receive your delivery by Christmas Eve,” explains Tchibo on its homepage. Exceptions are partner campaigns, foreign and forwarding deliveries. Delivery times are also noted here on the pages of the respective products. Often it is also possible to pick up items in one of the branches.
Zalando
In order for gifts that have been ordered within Germany to arrive on time by Christmas Eve, customers can order by 11 p.m. on December 18 with standard delivery. When ordering by express delivery, the fashion giant specifies December 22nd until 3 p.m. as the deadline on request, so that the articles can still be delivered. However, pandemic and weather conditions could affect delivery times. In such cases, customers will be informed. The company is generally “well positioned on the last mile” and can “reliably supply consumers even during the upcoming Christmas business”.
GLS, Hermes and DHL
After record volumes of parcels in last year’s Christmas business, DHL is even assuming a possible slight increase in 2021. “We expect very high parcel volumes in the Christmas business this year as well, because many consumers have come to appreciate the advantages of e-commerce over the past two years,” explains Tobias Meyer, Board Member for Post & Parcel Germany at Deutsche Post DHL Group .
In addition to 10,000 additional temporary workers, around 13,000 extra vehicles and 600 additional e-trikes are used. By using new sorting technology, among other things, around 160,000 additional shipments per hour can be processed, according to DHL. Consumers should nevertheless send and order gifts as early as possible. The deadline for posting at all Packstations and branches for domestic parcels and parcels is December 20th. For postcards and letters, December 22nd (before mailbox emptying) is indicated.
Hermes Germany is also preparing for new record volumes and is expecting 137 million shipments by Christmas, the logistics company announced in October. Up to three million parcels are expected on peak days. Every day, 3,900 vehicles and 3,500 additional workers are in use at times. The following applies to shipments within Germany: Customers should hand in their gifts in a parcel shop by December 20, when the store closes. In the case of collection at the front door, which should be ordered by 8:00 p.m. on December 19th, December 20th is also the deadline.
Like the competition, GLS Germany is also expecting new records. “Nationwide, 3,500 additional employees support the sorting and handling of parcels. 1,000 additional vehicles are used to transport parcels,” explains a GLS spokesman. To be on the safe side, parcels should be sent “as early as possible”. The logistics expert states that the latest date for shipments within Germany is dropping off at the GLS parcel shops on December 21 by 12:00.