Tesco takes pre-emptive action over online surge

tesco newbieTesco is bracing itself for the festive frenzy by ditching express delivery on its online store, extending Click + Collect and Standard delivery times to up to seven days and delaying the opening of its stores from midnight to 5am on next week’s Black Friday.
The company has already been forced to apologise to Tesco Direct customers following what it calls the “unexpected high demand”, which will result in all deliveries taking up to a week, even though it has had all year to prepare for the seasonal rush.
In a statement posted on its website, Tesco said: “We are currently experiencing high demand. If you choose, please allow five to seven days for your order to arrive. Express delivery is currently unavailable.”
The move is also understood to be in anticipation of its latest Clubcard Boost promotion, which has been expanded from previous offers.
This time round Boost allows Clubcard members to double up their vouchers – for every £5 – on all their online shopping, from electronics to grocery items; the first time all departments have been included.
Meanwhile, Tesco will open its larger stores at 5am instead of midnight on Black Friday this year to allow staff “more time” to prepare for the sales frenzy.
The supermarket had planned to let shoppers into its 250 Tesco Extra stores at midnight on 27 November but now says it will wait. The move comes after police chiefs warned supermarkets to ensure they had sufficient security arrangements in place to maintain public order. Rival Asda has already pulled out of the promotion.

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