Ocado’s Christmas delivery slots sell out within hours of opening

Ocado’s Christmas delivery slots sold out within hours of being made available, leaving some customers furious.

Amid fears a lack of HGV drivers is going to cause havoc this festive season, the popular online retailer currently has no slots left for key dates including December 23 and 24.

The firm has insisted slot releases are being staggered and more may be made available in the coming weeks but it has faced a backlash from those who pay extra for priority booking.

Shoppers described staying up into the early hours to try to get a delivery, likening the whole process to getting Glastonbury tickets.

Social media was littered with complaints from those who missed out, some of whom claimed it was the first time in more than a decade that they couldn’t book.

Some ‘Anytime Smart Pass’ members – who pay a set fee monthly – said they didn’t receive the email announcing bookings were opening, while others were only given a few hours notice.

Customers who have a regular weekly delivery have been told it doesn’t apply in the week before Christmas and were told to re-book but then found no slots were available.

One Twitter comment said: ‘I got the Xmas e-mail but only 20/12 slots available which is no good for Xmas food. And I stayed awake til midnight!’

Another said: ‘I’ve shopped with Ocado for the last 10 years and this is the first year I have not been able to book a slot over Christmas.’

‘For the 2nd year running I click through from your email merrily telling me I can book a Christmas delivery slot only to find them already sold out!!!’ said a third frustrated customer.

Supermarkets have been disrupted by driver shortages which are causing difficulties in restocking shelves.

Shoppers have been warned to prepare early for Christmas this year, given there are likely to be shortages in a range of products including meat, trees and toys.

In an attempt to save the festive season, the Government is offering foreign drivers temporary visas to come and work in the UK over the next few months.

The documents had been due to expire on December 24 but, last night, this was extended until the end of February in an attempt to make it more attractive.

Opposition parties are calling for parliament to be recalled during the party conference season to discuss supply chain disruption.

Ocado said in a statement: ‘We stagger slot releases to manage the rush at Christmas. Slots sell out very quickly, we’re sorry if you haven’t been able to get a Christmas slot in time, so keep an eye out for the star slot booking button – this will let you know that more slots have become available.’

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