Ocado will be opening up its highly sought after Christmas delivery slots this week.
In past years, the online retailer has come under fire from disgruntled customers who have struggled to bag a slot for their Xmas shop deliveries, which run between December 20 and 24.
Ocado – which sells M&S food as well as its own lines and other brands – will stagger the release of the slots, according to Money Saving Expert.
A spokesperson for the retailer said: ‘We always stagger the release of our festive slots and will begin rolling out this year’s Christmas delivery slots from the end of September.
‘We’ll send customers an email or SMS as soon as slots become available for them to book.’
Every year, Ocado’s Christmas delivery slots are highly sought after. The slots will be staggered, with the first wave being released this week
Some customers have taken to social media to express their worry over whether they will get a slot, including this shopper who said they are ‘really concerned’
FEMAIL has contacted Ocado to confirm the exact date the slots will go online, but did not immediately receive a response.
Further, it has been reported that the retailer will not be revealing exactly when the dates will open up, only that it will be by the end of September.
Instead, it will contact customers via text message or email as soon as the delivery dates are available to book.
Because the slots are expected to book up extremely quickly, those keen to bag one should be vigilant.
Customers have already started taking to X (formerly Twitter) showing their concern about getting a slot, with one writing: ‘Have all the ‘staggered Xmas slots’ email for Ocado Smartpass holders been sent out. Have yet to receive any notification (and nothing on app) Really concerned will not get slot.’
Last year, priority was given to ‘Smart Pass’ customers when it came to booking the highly desirable slots.
Remaining options were offered to non-Smart Pass customers some few weeks later.
Ocado has not yet confirmed whether it will do the same this year.
Last year, the online retailer announced it would release slots to Smart Pass customers first. It is not yet known whether that will be the case this year too
When it comes to pricing, Smart Price customers can pay a one-off fee which entitles them to deliveries for a set time period, rather than paying a standard charge for each delivery.
Currently, a mid-week delivery pass costs £3.99 for a month, this increases to £22.49 for six months and £39.99 for 12 months.
Anytime passes are more expensive, with the monthly fee set at £8.99, increasing to £49.99 and £89.99 for six and 12 months respectively. In addition to not paying standard delivery charges if you pay these fees, other perks are offered to Smart Pass customers.
These include always saving at least 10 per cent on some 500 products – which include items from big brands, and exclusive 50 per cent off sales.
And Smart Pass customers also receive an annual gift from Ocado, to mark what the retailer calls your Ocado’versary. These gifts include items like chocolates or wine.