Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the land,
Not a parcel was stirring, despite lists and plans.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
But empty they stayed—no deliveries there.
Online shopping has become a staple of convenience and unlimited assortment. But this year, the Canadian Postal workers strike, which lasted from November 15 to December 17, cast uncertainty on the most important piece of the eCommerce system: the delivery.
With over half of Canadian shoppers shopping for winter holidays (Christmas, Boxing Day, Hanukkah, etc), the December postal strike comes at a time when many shoppers depend on the post.
The Shift to Local Shopping
Canadian shoppers have reacted to the postal strike, according to our hot-off-the-press survey results. Nearly half (49.7%) say that they’ve purchased less online this holiday season, and many have bought more locally (35.4%) or bought less overall (28.6%).
Smaller online retailers (who use mail delivery) are disproportionately impacted by consumer fears of delivery issues. 42% of Canadian shoppers say that they’ve shopped less at smaller online retailers this year due to fear that their parcels would not arrive on time.
As one survey respondent said: [holiday shopping is] much more difficult. A lot of stores I purchase at online only ship with Canada post…I actually have parcels just sitting in their truck waiting to be delivered so it’s very very inconvenient.
A Gift to Amazon and Brick & Mortar Stores
Amazon (with its private delivery platform) benefits from the strike. Over a third of holiday shoppers reported increasing their Amazon shopping this year.
Brick and mortar stores became a destination for holiday shopping – 30% noted that they increased their holiday shopping at the mall or other stores with physical locations. While some found the brick & mortar shopping experience fun, it didn’t always deliver what they’ve come to expect from an online store – especially when it comes to assortment and convenience, as expressed by another respondent:
It’s definitely been different since I had to physically go to stores and buy everything instead of buying online since I was afraid I wouldn’t get it on time. It’s been more challenging because it required time and energy to do all that and a bit of luck in finding whatever I actually wanted.
Although Brick & Mortar and Amazon delivered for holiday shoppers this year, what can we expect to find under the tree? A lot more gift cards, cash and experiences according to shoppers – in hopes that the now lifted strike will bring happy shopping in the new year!
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