MORRISONS shoppers are furious after their deliveries have been cancelled or delayed just days before Christmas.
Angry customers have taken to social media to complain about their festive shop not turning up or arriving on time after the supermarket was hit by a tech glitch.
The UK’s fifth-largest supermarket told shoppers this morning that its click-and-collect and home deliveries would be delayed because of the issues, which have also seen them miss out on loyalty discounts.
Some households also had their Christmas grocery shop cancelled, however, The Sun understands this was because of unrelated operational issues.
One woman explained how she woke up to an email this morning saying Morrisons couldn’t fulfil the order so they’d cancelled it.
Another described the situation as “disgusting” sharing how she was disabled and had no way of getting to another supermarket.
The Sun understands that Morrisons will be getting in contact with customers impacted by the issue and offering goodwill where applicable.
Meanwhile, others expressed their frustration over having click-and-collect and home deliveries delayed due to IT problems.
One shopper said: “I’ve got a 9am click/collect slot, been booked for weeks. Just got an email 30 mins before, to say WiFi is down so cannot go and collect yet.”
Morrisons said it was contacting customers about their delayed deliveries and they may receive them later this evening.
The majority have reported issues with the Morrisons More App, which gives customers digital access to their loyalty cards.
It has left customers paying full price for items at the tills, instead of getting cheaper prices offered to members.
One disgruntled shopper said they were forced to pay full price for carrots – 69p instead of 10p – because of issues with the service.
Supermarkets often slash veg prices to just pennies in the run up to Christmas in a bid to tempt shoppers in to stores.
Another customer said they had lost out on about £25 worth of discounts, while a third said they were around £20 “out of pocket” because of the issue.
While a fourth said they paid £10 more for a turkey. “Not good at this time of the year,” they added.
It’s the last full trading days before Christmas as many grocers shut early on Christmas Eve to give staff a break.
To compensate, Morrisons told The Sun that the top 100 More Card prices will become the regular price for all customers, whether they are More Card customers or not.
Furthermore, all More Card customers will get an additional 10% off their entire shop today and tomorrow as an apology.
How to save at Morrisons
Buying a delivery pass can slash the cost of shopping online if you’re a Morrisons regular.
You also get priorities for Christmas delivery slots.
How much it costs depends on which you get anytime or mid-week, and if it’s for the year, six-months or monthly.
You’ll need to work out the cost compared to how much you spend on delivery without one to see if it’s worthwhile.
Morrisons does a range of wonky veg that can work out cheaper than the main range.
Check websites like Quidco and TopCashback BEFORE you place your order.
Cashback websites PAY you to shop. All you have to do is click through their links and the money is added to your online account.
Search for discount codes on websites like MyVoucherCodes.co.uk and VoucherCodes.co.uk to see if you can get money off at the till.
Follow your favourite shops on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and sign up to its deals newsletter to get the latest on any offers. We post the best deals in our Sun Money FB group too.
Try switching all of your branded or premium goods for lower level ones and see if you notice the difference.
Morrisons regularly adds new products to its ‘own-brand “savers” range.
This is its value range where prices start from as little as 20p.
It includes all sorts of products including peas, spaghetti, marmalade, jaffa cakes and washing up liquid.
Swap your usual items for savers alternatives and see if you can tell the difference.
Shoppers can earn points with the More Than loyalty scheme when they spend online or in store.
How many points you earn will depend on the offers available at the time, plus you get five points for every litre of fuel at Morrisons petrol stations.
Reach 5,000 points and you get £5 off your shopping, plus there are other offers and coupons and the checkout and via the app.
Shoppers also get cheaper prices that are just for members.
A spokesperson said: “This morning we are experiencing some system issues which are principally impacting some More Card discounts and Click and Collect orders.”
“For More Card customers who have Morrisons Fivers to redeem, these will be done manually in store by colleagues.”
“For Click and Collect orders, we are asking customers to wait for an email to inform them that their order is ready for collection before heading to store.”
“Some home delivery orders may be arriving late today – and we will be communicating directly with those customers affected. ”
Loyalty schemes are designed to reward regular customers with the best prices and exclusive deals.
Most UK supermarkets have loyalty schemes so customers can build up points and save money while they shop.
The service has become increasingly popular, especially during a period of higher-than-average inflation.
But they can come with issues particularly when supermarkets face tech issues – as it means customers end up paying more than they intended.
It has also been feared that elderly or vulnerable people are missing out simply because they do not use the required technology.
Sue Davies, Which? head of food policy said: “Just days before Christmas, Morrisons’ customers will be understandably frustrated to find that they are unable to use their loyalty card discounts and that some online orders have been cancelled.
“Morrisons should work quickly to resolve these issues and ensure their customers receive their orders and are able to use loyalty discounts on their Christmas food shop.”
Martyn James, a consumer rights expert, previously told The Sun many loyalty schemes are now “app-based or require online registration.
“This shuts out vast numbers of people who don’t use smartphones or may be older, neurodiverse or simply struggle with technology.
“Loyalty schemes can save people thousands of pounds each year.
“It’s a cruel irony that some of the most loyal customers are the ones being locked out of savings.”
TECH TROUBLE AT MORRISONS
It follows news that Morrison software provider Blue Yonder was the victim of a hack, that impacted the number of fresh products it could stock in stores.
The ransomware attack saw the supermarket suffering from a lack of fresh stock including fruit and veg.
However, it was understood dried and frozen goods were unaffected with stock levels as per normal.
A Morrisons spokesperson said at the time: “We are currently operating satisfactorily on our back up systems and we’re working very hard to deliver for our customers across the country.”
Supermarket loyalty schemes – which has one?
MOST UK supermarkets have loyalty schemes so customers can build up points and save money while they shop.
Here we round up what saving programmes you’ll find at the big brands.
- Iceland: Unlike other stores, you don’t collect points with the Iceland Bonus Card. Instead, you load it up with money and Iceland will give you £1 for every £20 you save.
- Lidl Plus: Lidl customers don’t collect points when they shop, and are instead rewarded with personalised vouchers that gives them money off at the till.
- Morrisons: The My Morrisons: Make Good Things Happen replaces the More Card and rewards customers with personalised money off vouchers via the app.
- Sainsbury’s: While Sainsbury’s doesn’t have a personal scheme, it does own the Nectar card which can also be used in Argos, eBay and other shops. You need 200 Nectar points to save up £1 to spend on your card. You need to spend at least £1 to get one Nectar point.
- Tesco: Tesco Clubcard has over 17million members in the UK alone. You use it each time you shop and build up points that can be turned into vouchers – 150 points gets you a £1.50 voucher. Here you need to spend £1 in Tesco to get one point.
- Waitrose: myWaitrose also doesn’t allow you to collect points but instead you’ll get access to free hot drinks, and discounts off certain brands in store.