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Booksellers are putting contingency plans in place to cope with the impending postal strike, which analysts predict could cost the UK retail industry as much as £270m.
As The Bookseller went to press on Wednesday (14th October), it seemed likely that the Communication Workers Union strike—part of a dispute over pay, modernisation and working conditions—would go ahead on 22nd October. Research commissioned by online price comparison service Kelkoo has claimed it could cost the entire retail trade £270m. Online retailers are expected to bear the brunt, it said, with costs and lost trade expected to reach £220m compared to £50m for high street retailers.
At Waterstones.com, a customer representative said that first and second-class delivery would be affected by the strike and advised customers to use its courier service, with a charge of £4.95. A Borders.co.uk customer service representative said that delivery of orders made during the strike could not be guaranteed unless they were sent directly to the chain's branches.
An Amazon.co.uk customer service representative said deliveries would be unaffected as it has relationships with several mail carriers. Last week Amazon cancelled its contract with the Royal Mail for parcels weighing more than 500 grams. It is continuing to use Royal Mail, along with other carriers, for other deliveries. A Play.com spokesperson said the internet retailer worked with a number of mail companies and had contingency measures in place.
Despite the rolling strikes in London over recent weeks, publishers said they had been using courier services and different carriers to ensure proofs were being delivered. Harper Non-Fiction publicity director Anna Gibson said: "Our post room has been good keeping us up to date with what has been going on. We have been able to work around affected areas."