A report analysing the regions and cities supposedly most at risk of delivery delays "this festive season" has placed Yorkshire and the Humber fifth.

The ‘Delivery Delays’ Report, from retail communications firm Esendex, collected job vacancy data from Indeed across 40 UK regions, and 15 locations in Ireland and Australia.

Using keywords for common delivery roles and seasonal positions, Esendex examined the number of vacancies, and then calculated the vacancy rate against the total population data for that area (sourced from City Population), to estimate what it called the "per capita demand" for delivery roles.

According to the report, there were 29,225 open positions for delivery roles in the UK, averaging 42.1 vacancies per 100,000 people.

Yorkshire and the Humber placed fifth in terms of vacancies per head, with 1,426 vacancies in total, and 26.01 vacancies per 100,000 residents.

Chris Gorman, head of commercial transformation at Esendex, said: "Whilst bigger cities like London, Liverpool, and Birmingham are at lower risk of delays, other cities and rural areas will face pressures to deliver parcels when expected.

"One of the most effective ways for businesses to manage these challenges is through the use of real-time communication tools, such as automated SMS solutions and Whatsapp for Business.

"These tools enable businesses to keep customers informed about delivery progress and any unexpected delays, allowing for proactive customer engagement.

"During such a competitive trading period, responsiveness can be a key differentiator for businesses."

To view the research in full, please visit: https://www.esendex.co.uk/blog/post/delivery-delays-report/