Online retailers gear up for Christmas

Christmas, according to the retail press, will this year be an eshopping extravaganza for online retailers, with consumers expected to spend a record £9bn buying products over the Internet. Shopping from the comforts of one's own home is a major benefit for those with busy lifestyles, who don't have the time or inclination to trawl the high street for gifts. However, there are increased inefficiencies from buying online at this time of year and many online retailers will struggle to cope with increased sales volume. It is every shopper's nightmare to end up in a situation where gifts don't arrive in time or come damaged. In the peak consumer season, retailers will need to secure supply chains, fulfilment centres and workforce to meet the demand.

Amazon, reportedly, has been anticipating the holiday rush, planning to treble its workforce in size, ready to handle their peak pre-Christmas volumes. Workforce apart, this the one time of year when retailers rely heavily upon both their existing supply chain software and provider to enforce delivery and service promises. Online retailers must understand that eshoppers have the same needs as retail shoppers. Just because customers are not in fact face-to-face contact with a salesman during the transaction, does not mean they are any less demanding or deserving of the same standards and service care.