Holiday shoppers scrambling to order last-minute gifts, and those already patiently waiting for their packages to arrive, have another concern to check off their lists: The winter storm sweeping much of the United States could have a negative effect on shipping.
In a normal year, consumers would most likely receive their items in the nick of time, before the celebrations begin. This year, some shoppers may be forced to make other arrangements or flat-out explain that their gifts will arrive after Christmas, which is Sunday.
Major shippers said they were closely watching the weather across the United States and would alert customers of disruptions as they arise, but few had been reported this week. The companies said that customers concerned about deliveries should monitor shipper websites for updates.
A spokeswoman for the Postal Service said it issues daily weather forecasts to employees in the field and uses information from suppliers, as well as federal, state and local governments and other sources, to make decisions about its operations.
UPS said it had a team of meteorologists on staff to monitor and help plan around bad weather. By Thursday, the company had issued a service alert for the Midwest region, telling customers that contingency plans were in place to help shipments arrive “as quickly as conditions permit.”
FedEx said in a statement that it also had contingency plans to keep staff safe and minimize disruptions.
A spokesman for Amazon said the company was similarly prepared and that customers hoping for gifts in time for Christmas should look for listings that say products will “arrive by Christmas,” since delivery dates listed at checkout account for weather and other factors.
“While the vast majority of deliveries make it to customers without issue, if something does occur, we work with customers directly to make it right,” Sam Stephenson, an Amazon spokesman, said in a statement.
