Shoppers are urged not to be selfish with delivery slots

SHOPPERS are being urged not to use online delivery slots if they can get to a supermarket amid fears that the vulnerable could be left waiting almost two weeks for groceries to arrive.

Ocado had no delivery slots available for nearly 12 days in one part of south London, while the wait was at least six days with Waitrose as England prepares for a second lockdown this week.

Tesco has more than doubled its capacity from 600,000 slots per week in March but it is still advising people to go to stores if they can, to give the needy or those who are self-isolating a better chance of placing an order.

Several social media users complained of a lack of slots, while consumer rights service Resolver said it had seen a small rise in complaints relating to supermarket deliveries in the past week.

Ocado said it releases new slots throughout the day, so if none are available customers should check back later.

Supermarkets insist there is no shortage of products, despite reports of long queues and stockpiling, although some stores have introduced purchase limits on certain items.

The reports come as Marks & Spencer launched the option of timed slots for customers at stores in England hoping to avoid similar queues to those at shops during the March lockdown.

Slots can be booked online for up to two people and the system has already been trialled across Scotland and Wales. Customers can still visit without a slot.

Helen Milford, M&S stores director, said: “With winter ahead, and the weather across the UK turning colder and wetter, we know customers are increasingly concerned about queuing, so in response, we wanted to deliver a quick and helpful, digital solution to help them shop.”