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The festive season brings joy, celebrations—and, for many, the inevitable online shopping spree. While convenient, this approach can quickly become costly when delivery fees stack up. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to avoid hefty charges while ensuring your gifts arrive on time. Let’s explore some strategies to save on delivery costs for your holiday purchases.
1. Take Advantage of Free Delivery Offers
The best delivery cost is none at all! Many UK retailers offer free delivery during the festive season, especially for orders over a specific amount—commonly £20, £50, or £75. According to a Royal Mail survey, 74% of UK shoppers actively look for free delivery options when shopping online.
Tip: If your basket doesn’t meet the minimum spend for free delivery, consider combining orders with a friend or family member. It’s an easy way to hit the threshold without buying unnecessary items.
2. Shop Around Big Sale Events
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and early December sales often bring free delivery promotions. Additionally, Free Shipping Day—usually around mid-December—is worth marking on your calendar. Planning your purchases around these events can help you dodge delivery fees entirely.
Remember, waiting until the last minute often means paying more for next-day delivery. Avoid this by shopping early, giving you access to standard (and often free) delivery options.
3. Use Membership Schemes for Free Delivery
Programmes like Amazon Prime, ASOS Premier Delivery, or Next Unlimited offer unlimited free next-day delivery for a flat annual or monthly fee. While these services typically cost £9.95 to £95 per year, they can save you a lot during the holiday rush.
Example: If you send gifts to six different people via Amazon, avoiding £4.99 per parcel in delivery fees, the £95 Prime subscription quickly pays for itself.
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4. Consolidate Orders into Fewer Deliveries
Instead of ordering items individually, try to combine your purchases into one delivery. Most retailers allow multiple items in a single parcel, reducing delivery charges.
Platforms like Etsy or eBay often encourage buying multiple items from the same seller, allowing you to save on combined delivery fees while supporting small businesses.
5. Choose Click and Collect Services
Opting for click-and-collect services is a simple way to eliminate delivery costs. Major retailers like Argos, John Lewis, and Marks & Spencer offer free in-store collection. Some even extend the convenience to local corner shops or lockers for minimal fees.
Amazon Lockers, for example, are a secure and cost-effective alternative for picking up orders without worrying about missed deliveries or porch thefts.
6. Use Cashback and Voucher Codes
When free delivery isn’t an option, cashback offers and discount codes can help offset costs. Websites like Quidco, TopCashback, and VoucherCodes regularly feature deals that reduce delivery charges.
Statistic: TopCashback reports that UK shoppers save an average of £9 per transaction by using cashback and vouchers during the festive season.
Tip: Sign up for retailer newsletters or follow their social media accounts to access exclusive discounts, including free delivery promotions.
7. Embrace Digital Gifts
For certain gift categories, such as books, music, or games, consider digital formats. E-books, streaming service subscriptions, and game download codes eliminate shipping fees entirely. You can often even save money on these items and services. For additional savings, consider using a VPN free extension, which avoids targeted price increases for you. Digital gifts also have the advantage of immediate delivery—perfect for last-minute shoppers.
8. Use Credit Card Perks
Some UK credit cards offer perks such as free or discounted delivery when shopping online. Others reimburse the cost of membership programmes like Amazon Prime.
Additionally, reward points accrued on purchases can often be redeemed for gift cards or cashback, further offsetting your holiday shopping expenses.
9. Compare Delivery Costs Across Retailers
Don’t assume all retailers charge the same for delivery. Before completing a purchase, compare the total costs—including delivery—across different shops. Some online stores entice customers with lower product prices, only to add disproportionately high delivery fees at checkout.
Tools like PriceRunner or Google Shopping can help you identify retailers with more reasonable delivery rates.
10. Look Out for Return Policies
Don’t overlook return policies. While free delivery is appealing, paying for returns can undermine your savings. Retailers like John Lewis, ASOS, and ZARA offer free returns, making them a safer option for uncertain purchases.
Statistic: Research found that 82% of UK online shoppers consider free returns essential during the festive season.
11. Plan Ahead to Avoid Last-Minute Costs
Holiday delivery delays are common, but last-minute orders can be even pricier due to expedited shipping fees. Avoid this by ordering early, giving yourself plenty of time to receive parcels via standard delivery.
Conclusion
Saving on delivery costs for online holiday shopping is all about planning, creativity, and knowing where to look. From leveraging free delivery promotions to consolidating orders and exploring click-and-collect options, there are plenty of ways to keep delivery fees from derailing your festive budget.
With these strategies in place, you can focus on spreading cheer rather than worrying about sneaky extra charges. Happy shopping!