Technical glitches disrupted online deliveries for both Sainsbury's and Tesco recently, causing inconvenience for customers and prompting apologies from the supermarkets. Sainsbury's cited a

software update as the culprit behind their inability to fulfill most online orders and the malfunctioning of contactless payments. Similarly, Tesco faced separate technical issues resulting in the cancellation of some deliveries. Both companies assured customers that the problems have been resolved, with Sainsbury's announcing the resumption of deliveries from Sunday and the restoration of contactless payment functionality.

Sainsbury's CEO, Simon Roberts, expressed regret over the disruption and promised affected customers online vouchers as a gesture of apology. Tesco also took steps to notify affected customers via email and assured them of refunds for cancelled orders. Nevertheless, the incidents highlighted the importance of robust testing and release protocols for software updates, according to retail technology analyst Miya Knights.

Customers vented their frustrations on social media platforms, recounting cancelled deliveries and payment difficulties encountered at stores. Some reported chaos at specific Sainsbury's locations, with issues ranging from cash-only payments to malfunctioning self-checkout machines. The disruptions particularly affected vulnerable customers like Megan Robertson, who relies on grocery deliveries due to mobility challenges.

The technical glitches not only impacted online deliveries but also affected in-store operations, such as the inability to print product labels or accept certain payment methods. Sainsbury's Click & Collect service also faced cancellations due to the issues. Moreover, Sainsbury's-owned Argos experienced similar challenges, warning customers about potential delays in fulfilling orders.

Despite the setbacks, both Sainsbury's and Tesco assured customers that services were back to normal, with Sainsbury's expressing gratitude for customers' patience during the ordeal. Photo by Vauxford, Wikimedia commons.