A critical shortage of warehouse space risks causing yet further delays to Christmas stock already threatened by a growing backlog at UK container ports and a lack of lorry drivers, businesses have warned.

Warehouse operators reported that the industry is “creaking at the seams” and said companies were running “dangerously” low on time to be ready for the busiest period of the year.

The lack of space is being compounded by a drastic shortage of warehouse workers, with firms competing to fill thousands of vacancies.

Staff are being offered pay rises of as much as 30 per cent which are expected to be passed on to customers because margins in the logistics industry are so tight. The wage increases come on top of a more than fivefold jump in the cost of shipping a container of goods from China.

Shoppers are being advised to expect longer delivery times, higher prices and less choice as a result.

Full story including comments from our own managing director – click here

My Cart