Retail giant John Lewis has become the latest company to ditch the Royal Mail and seek alternative parcel delivery providers to ensure customers receive their goods in time for Christmas.

To avoid disruption to its online deliveries, the company says it has no choice but to work with other courier services, as the national postal strike will severely damage its ability to meet customers' needs.

In a statement, the firm said it was vital that its parcel delivery providers can transport its goods with minimal disruption to customers.

Despite implementing a contingency plan, John Lewis said it will not be hiking its prices up and passing the burden to consumers who are already feeling the pinch of the economic downturn.

Last week, Royal Mail staff voted three to one in favour of industrial action, threatening to leave the postal system in chaos.

It isn't the end of the world, however, as Parcel2Go can do everything the Royal Mail can do and more, promising to get parcels where they need to be in double-quick time.