Experts have warned that goods bought by Britons over the discount shopping weekend could arrive late or be lost due to issues with a major shipping route used by firms based in the UK
Goods bought online over Black Friday could face arrival delays – or be lost entirely – due to issues with a major shipping route.
Research of a poll of global business leaders has found over 13% of supply chain shipments have been delayed in 2024.
The English Channel was responsible for the highest number of delayed shipments, as 43% of businesses polled reported delays in the region – more than any other major shipping route. This was followed by the Suez Canal, with 40% of firms experiencing delays in this area and the Panama Canal, 33%.
The UK-based businesses surveyed said that they had also lost an average of 11% of shipments the last year due to ongoing supply chain disruptions, with the English Channel also scoring top for lost shipments. Global supply chain solutions firm Vinturas, who conducted the research, said some products such as furniture and electronics would be more susceptible to the delays and losses.
Ronald Kleijwegt, CEO of Vinturas, said: “With the busiest shopping season around the corner, these challenges are likely to be even more pronounced over the coming weeks.”
Mr Kleijwegt said items such as furniture are made with numerous parts that are shipped from different locations, increasing the risk of problems. He added: “Larger vessels and increased shipping volumes have significantly contributed to delays at ports and chokepoints, including the English Channel.
“This trend towards larger ships has created logistical challenges, particularly for industries dependent on containerised goods, such as consumer electronics. This makes them more susceptible to hazards and port congestion and therefore delay.”
Problems in the English Channel have been caused by Brexit red tape, geopolitical issues causing strain to the global supply chain and traffic congestion and outdated infrastructure being another blocker for the smooth flowing of trade across the region.
Mr Kleijwegt: “Too many businesses still rely on outdated, manual systems – making it difficult to respond to the rapid shifts in global trade and mitigate risks efficiently. Of course, regulatory problems due to Brexit and other factors have been a long-running saga and though the global supply chain issues we’ve seen over the past year could not be foreseen, businesses cannot operate without being prepared for this kind of volatility in 2025.”
UK business leaders say they plan to increase investment in supply chain technology by 8% over the next year to counteract these problems. New data from PwC predicts Black Friday spending in the UK is set to reach £7.1 billion this year – up 37% from last year’s £5.2bn. The major discount shopping weekend kicks off on November 29, with electrical goods among the items in high demand from shoppers.
