After missing out on a proper Christmas last year, we expect families to be ready to dive into the festive season feet first! But it comes with a warning. Supply levels across the UK are at an all-time low, and with ongoing issues to get products into the Country it is set to continue.
What Taste Are Doing?
To ensure all our customers get the wine and spirits they need this Christmas we are working very hard on many fronts. Our plan to keep the booze flowing breaks down into a few steps that are a little different from previous years.
1. We have brought the Christmas delivery cut off date forward
We have set the deadline for Christmas orders to be Monday 6th December. This is much sooner than normal, but this is to be prepared for two possible issues. The first is delayed delivery times from our logistics network as staff shortages are already causing issues, so we expect this could escalate into December. The second is that we don’t carry high stock levels of every listed product on our site. Some have a short lead time for us to replenish what we have sold, and again, we could foresee some delays in this.
2. Updating stock levels
To follow on from the previous point, on the 6th December we will be carrying out a large stock take. This will then allow us to update the website to only list items we physically have in stock, so we are not relying on internal deliveries. This means anything you order after the 6th will be in stock and ready for despatch. Due to this change, we will be able to extend the Christmas delivery deadline to December 17th.
However, please be aware, at this point we may have delisted your favourite gin, wine or Christmas Champagne. So we strongly advise ordering anything you require for Christmas before the 6th.
3. Bigger stock orders
We have been bulk ordering our best-selling lines for some time now and our stock levels are above where we normally are at this time of year. However, there are still some products we are waiting to land in the UK. We have pre-ordered and ring-fenced as much as we can, but there is still no guarantee these items will be with us in time.
What About in the Shop?
Our Huddersfield based shop will be extending opening hours nearer the big day, so keep an eye on social media and keep checking Google. The only days we will be closing are Christmas Day, Monday 27th, and New Years’ Day, plus the usual Sunday off days.
As with every year, we will have special Christmas themed gifts and drinks only available in the shop – including Gin Advent Calendars, Gin Baubles, Champagne Magnums, and limited edition wines and spirits. We also have a gift-wrapping service and unmatched expert advice when it comes to finding the right gin, rum, wine or cigar for a loved one.
And on that note, Merry Christmas! From everyone at Taste.