Serenata Delivers the goods

SCHOOL run mums and dads won’t suffer the misery of missed deliveries thanks to an innovative new idea by a leading online retailer.

Award-winning Serenata Flowers has introduced an “avoid the school run” option so parents dropping off or picking up their children do not miss out on that vital package.

The internet-based company has revamped its delivery policy to try to take the frustration out of buying online.

It made the move after research showed that missing a delivery was a huge irritant of buying online.

With Christmas around the corner, millions of Brits will be turning to the web over the next month to buy gifts for their loved ones.

But despite the growing online shopping phenomenon, problems with delivery are leaving some consumers disgruntled.

Latest figures claim up to half of online deliveries cannot take place because there is nobody at home. Companies either have to leave items with neighbours, risk leaving them in a “safe place” near the doorstep, or rearrange the delivery time.

Evidence suggests shoppers are loathe to take time off work to wait in for a delivery and are expecting firms to be more flexible.

Peter Ahl, Managing Director of Serenata Flowers, revealed he had now introduced evening and the “avoid school run” delivery slots to add to the conventional am or pm times. The florist has also started a free Saturday delivery service.

He said: “Parents who are at home often miss deliveries in the morning or in the afternoon because they have to do the school run. Allowing people to schedule am/pm/evening/avoid school-run or Saturday delivery greatly helps people to avoid staying at home for a whole day just to wait for a delivery. Quite a few people I know stay or work at home some days just so they can be there for an expected delivery. So while internet shopping has certainly saved us lots of time, the delivery aspect is still an issue.”