According to a survey by IMRG, the British online retail industry association, U.K. online retail sales on Black Friday this year grew by 38 percent, with the entire week around Black Friday (Nov. 23-30) showing a 30 percent increase. The survey was based on the daily online sales results of 102 British retailers. IMRG had forecast growth of 35 to 45 percent, but it is likely that the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown pulled sales volumes forward to some extent, with the first three weeks of November all securing growth rates in the 56 to 61 percent range. The operational focus is now very much on delivery of ordered goods. Carriers had to cope with huge volumes for most of the year, but the week after the Black Friday weekend saw the peak. One British delivery service had even feared an “uncontrollable Black Friday” in the forefront. Respective status reports on the delivery situation are still pending at the moment.

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