Supermarkets accused of exploiting customers after doubling delivery charges for Christmas

 

Last updated at 13:35pm on 23rd November 2007 Comments

Supermarkets are being accused of profiteering from the expected Christmas rush after increasing their delivery charges for online services during the festive period.

Ocado - which delivers Waitrose goods – has increased its charge to £9 for December 23 deliveries, more than double its usual weekend charge of £3 or £4. Its minimum order size has rocketed from £40 to £90.

Meanwhile Tesco is charging £5.99 for all deliveries during the week before Christmas - its most popular charge is usually £4.50.

Scroll down for more...

Ocado delivers groceries on behalf of Waitrose and is fully booked for Chrismas Eve despite doubling delivery charges

 

Read more...

• Supermarket food bought online is 'less fresh than in store'

Up to half a million households are expected to complete all or some of their food shopping via the internet this year.

Ocado revealed that it was already fully booked during Christmas Eve and Asda said it only had a few slots left.

Johnny Stern - who runs an online supermarket comparison site – told The Daily Telegraph that he was outraged by the news, particularly as many household's weekly shop rises by almost £60 during the Christmas period.

"For a loyal shopper spending more over Christmas, they might think the season of goodwill applied.

Scroll down for more...

Tesco have also increased its delivery charge during the Christmas period

 

"But that doesn't seem the case with supermarket delivery charges." He said.

A spokesman for Ocado have denied that they are exploiting customers: "No, I don't think it's cheeky, and I certainly don't think it's profiteering.

"We are charging our customers a little bit more, but we can't afford to let people down at Christmas.

"And that means that we have to take on extra staff, extra vans, and even emergency turkeys as a back up.

If you layer that with fuel inflation, I think you'll understand why it's necessary to increase our charges." Said Jason Gissing, co-founder.

Supermarkets Asda and Sainsbury have not increased their delivery charges.

Just like most city bars and restaurants up the prices of bottles beers and lagers. If the sensible customer plans ahead for the festive period they shouldn't need to pay the extra charges for supermarket delivery ;)

Just like most city bars and restaurants up the prices of bottles beers and lagers. If the sensible customer plans ahead for the festive period they shouldn't need to pay the extra charges for supermarket delivery ;)

 

So are you all stocked up yourself??:rolleyes:

What do you expect, they are out to make money.

 

Iceland's puts up it's spend for free delivery from £30 to £50 over the christmas period.