CEO of Scurri and delivery management expert Rory O'Connor claimed the UK high street could face a difficult Christmas period. He noted that the shortages in goods due to fewer HGV drivers will deter some shoppers from heading to the shop. During an interview with Express.co.uk, he said to avoid in-store disappointment, shoppers may opt for online shopping entirely.
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Mr O'Connor said: "Since the high street opened we have seen some decreases in online shopping.
"This is as we move somewhat back towards normality.
"But I think overall there has been a sea change in terms of individuals who perhaps may have never shopped online before have experienced it during coronavirus lockdowns.
"Now that they have gone back to the stores, once you see shortages, the online opportunities give you greater access to supplies.
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"What I mean is, if you go into your local store and it is not there, when you go online you can probably look at multiple locations for your product of choice.
"What we will continue to see is increases in the online world.
"It is probably won't be at the levels that it was last year.
"But I think the e-commerce situations suit those that are electronically and digitally-enabled but also the older generation.
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"After Covid-19 the older generation realise that online shopping is an option to them."
Mr O'Connor also went into details of how under-supplied shops may be this Christmas.
He said the supply chain issues from China due to idle factories could eventually impact the UK.
He added the impact of the Suez Canal incident from this year was still being felt.
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He said: "I think the driver shortage will play a contributing factor to the Christmas period.
"What I think is going to be challenging is the China situation, factories, idle factories have been causing supply chain problems.
"The fallout of the Suez Canal blockage is still kind of snaking its way through the supply chain.
"There could be potential shortages of electronic devices.
"Many retailers orders are not going to arrive on time so I think there will be shortages in all areas of retail."