There has been huge demand for garden furniture in 2021, as people have been spending more time at home while summer holidays have been curtailed. Investing in our homes and gardens has become a popular alternative and has increased demand for outdoor furniture tenfold, in addition to restaurants, pubs, hotels and bars also wanting to increase their outdoor capacity with outdoor furniture at the same time. The industry is also facing significant challenges including COVID, Brexit and worldwide logistical delays.
This issue has been reported in many major news channels including the BBC and unfortunately is impacting all furniture retailers at this time:
Stay-at-home holidaymakers warned of summer products shortage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57379810
From garden chairs to boxes: Five items in short supply: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57433224
Shipping disruption: 'We're doing our best - but this is crippling': https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57531716
We understand and appreciate how frustrating any delays can be in receiving your order. We are working hard to deliver orders as fast as possible, however we also wanted to outline the order fulfilment process to help customers understand the reasons for delays, and how some aspects are outside of our control (see main image).
We strive to provide the best possible customer service and want to be open and transparent with our customers. We have prepared this article and infographic as a customer guide to current delays, to help customers understand the challenges the industry is facing this year and how we will do our utmost to deliver your order as quickly and efficiently as possible, and how you can have confidence in Oak Furniture House to deliver top quality home and garden furniture that you can enjoy for years to come.
Oak Furniture House’s outdoor living products are sourced from the Far East, including China. Due to high global demand this has led to a shortage of shipping containers and lack of available space on shipping vessels, causing delays on outbound and inbound journeys. The additional delay caused by the Suez Canal blockage also compounded worldwide delays. Further, due to local Covid outbreaks and social distancing measures still happening in these countries, some ports have had to reduce their operations to around 30% of capacity or close in order to comply with regulations and keep their staff safe. Further effects have included major shipping lines temporarily stopping calling at ports working at reduced capacity, shipping containers becoming out of sync and stacking up in the wrong location and stock being stuck at factories or ports without the onward transportation that was originally planned. All of these factors have and continue to cause delays across worldwide supply chains.
Our teams are working round the clock liaising with our suppliers, shipping and logistics partners to deliver your furniture as fast as possible. We are working very closely with manufacturers and shipping companies to reduce lead times. We will keep you informed as we receive updates of delivery times and delays and where possible offer you alternatives. Once you place your order with us, we allocate stock to your order so that it is reserved only for you. As we receive updated information on the position regarding products on the water and the situation changes, we will endeavour to inform you of this. In the meantime, please continue to be aware that the dates shown on our website are the dates we are informed of and may be subject to change. Please bear with us on this and accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused. Some ranges have experienced longer delays, whilst others have been delivered within normal delivery timescales allowing customers to receive and enjoy their new furniture as quickly as possible.
Oak Furniture House is still providing the best quality garden furniture, designed to last for years. We are working hard to get your furniture delivered to you as fast as possible and we are sure that once your furniture is delivered it will be worth the wait.
Monday - Saturday 9am - 4pm
01235 834831
[email protected]
Chat: https://www.oakfurniturehouse.co.uk
Our teams are currently experiencing very high levels of calls and emails. This means that it may take longer before you receive a response but please rest assured you will receive a response within 3 to 5 working days.
If you need to change delivery times or are self-isolating please do not hesitate to contact us 2 working days prior to delivery so that we can make the necessary arrangements with our delivery drivers.
As always, our delivery teams will abide by social distancing guidelines and we ask customers to do the same and as usual, our teams have full PPE and undergo risk assessments with customers with safety being our top priority.