Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Valentine's Dismay! 158% jump in parcel returns on Monday

Valentine's Dismay! 158% jump in parcel returns on Monday
Getty Images/iStockphoto

In a devastating rejection, new collect+ parcel data shows that 55,875 parcels were returned on 14 February versus 21,630 the previous Monday.

The network of 10,000 UK locations shows that a total of 74,080 parcels were collected from stores in the run up to Valentine’s Day between February 11 and 14. In the same period 36,781 customer orders arrived in their local store, the perfect way to get a last-minute gift delivered away from home and the prying eyes of an expectant partner.


Valentine’s Day itself saw a total of 55,875 parcel returns, indicating that a large number of Brits had ordered the wrong size, colour, brand or wrong gift entirely – a 158 per cent increase on the previous Monday, February 7, which saw just 21,630 parcels returned, and up 126 per cent on Monday, January 31.

“Last year, the UK celebrated Valentine’s Day under lockdown, so it’s great to see people were out and about last weekend collecting special purchases for loved ones," said Nick Williams, Head of Strategic Partners & Product, Parcels at PayPoint. "Buying the right gift isn’t always easy so, despite seeing a sizeable jump in returns on Valentine’s this year, we hope that significant others around the UK still remembered … it’s the thought that counts.”

Meanwhile, sales of on-the-shelf products over the Valentine’s weekend (11-14 February) suggest there may have been a number of lonely hearts as a number of ready meals saw a spike versus the previous three week period. Love2Shop vouchers also saw an increase of 27 per cent in sales on Valentine’s Day versus the average over the previous week (7-13 February).

Lonely hearts

Brands that people reached for as a comforter to spending Valentine’s on their own included:

  • Knorr Hot Mug Potato With Bacon and Onion +141%
  • Nongshim Kimchi Ramyun Cup +105%
  • Easy Chef Doner Kebabs +92%
  • Grace Instant Cornmeal Porridge +90%
  • Pudliszki Bigos Stew With Meat And Sausage +84%
  • Peters Premier Pork & Pickle Sausage Roll +62%
  • Koka Oriental Instant Noodles (Curry Flavour) +60%
  • Pot Noodle Piri Piri Chicken +33%
  • Bisto Bangers & Mash +30%
  • Rustlers BBQ Rib Burger +28%

More for you

Budget 2024: Local shops to face significant new pressure

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Budget 2024: Local shops to face significant new pressure

Local shops will face significant new pressures as a result of today’s Budget, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has warned.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget's impact will be felt unevenly across the UK’s 50,000 convenience stores, with some measures such as business rate relief and the increased employment allowance mitigating costs for smaller independent stores, while providing no help for chains and larger independent businesses.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Office cash deposits and withdrawals
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services

Parliament to launch inquiry into Post Office Horizon scandal compensation delays

Parliament is to launch an inquiry into delays in compensation settlements for sub postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal.

The newly-formed Business and Trade Select Committee will call ministers, subpostmasters and their lawyers to give evidence next week with a second session to follow in mid-November. The Committee’s chair, Liam Byrne MP told ITV News that there was “definitely a delay” in people coming forward for payment.

Keep ReadingShow less
C-store body warns of 'inflation-busting increase in wage costs'
Woman Holding British Pound
Getty Images/iStockphoto

C-store body warns of 'inflation-busting increase in wage costs'

Convenience store body Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) today (30) has warned the Chancellor about the negative effects of the new National Living Wage (NLW) increase, a day after the Chancellor announced a pay rise for over 3 million workers next year, with NLW rates rising by 6.7 perc cent.

From April 2025, the NLW will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 while 18-20 National Minimum Wage will rise by £1.40 per hour to £10 - the largest increase on record, marking the first step towards a single adult rate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Robbie MacDonald via LDRS

Shop’s licence bid rejected over illegal vapes and ‘no regard’ for children’s safety

A Rossendale shop has had a licence bid rejected after repeatedly selling vapes to children and having illegal products on its premises.

Management at the Ibra Superstore at 34 Burnley Road, Bacup, have shown ‘no regard’ for children’s protection and safety, and have insufficient controls for licensing, Rossendale councillors have ruled.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR North of England retailer Dara Singh Randhawa’s family store has been awarded £100,000 of free stock after hitting all his targets since moving to the symbol.

Dara and his family, who have their SPAR store in Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, joined SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd in August 2023 having taken the decision to maximise the store’s potential.

Keep ReadingShow less