Net-A-Porter UK, US sites start taking pre-orders

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Apr 8, 2020

Luxury e-tailer Net-A-Porter is taking orders via its UK website once again, although these orders won't be fulfilled just yet as the company’s London warehouse remains closed for now. Its US site is also open for pre-orders but again, shipping is on hold for now.

The business had originally tried to stay open following the UK lockdown but it closed its London hub last month due to worker concerns over the ability to apply the required social distancing measures. 

At that point, the company also ceased taking orders with its website only available for browsing.

While the company isn't yet operating as normal, the reopening of the website for orders is a significant step.   

The reopening in both Britain and the US is key because it means customers in those countries can now pay for goods in their own currencies, even if they have to wait for them. Until now the e-tailer has been only accepting orders via its Asia Pacific site, which has meant paying in Hong Kong dollars and having to put up with any currency exchange effects, as well as some shipping taxes.

Current terms are that payments will be taken nine days after the order has been placed with that order being shipped when it can safely be processed. The returns period has also been extended to 60 days. 

While the latest move means consumers can pre-order items from the local website, they still have the option to buy from abroad. 

The company said that it's also continuing to monitor the situation over the next few weeks but is advising against anyone placing orders for items they need by a specific date.