Customers in the Highlands and Islands are still facing disproportionate and unfairly high delivery costs when they are buying online, Business Minister Fergus Ewing has said.
A recent survey showed surcharges are higher than three years ago, despite average delivery charges falling in real terms.
The Scottish Government is supporting Citizen Advice Scotland in holding a workshop on potential practical measures over parcel delivery issues in the Highlands and Islands, which is likely to take place in early 2016.
Islanders penalised by unfair delivery surcharges
2 November 2015
Mr Ewing urged retailers to give island and rural customers a fair service.
he said they should follow guidelines to avoid charging disproportionate delivery costs, provide greater transparency and provide the widest possible delivery coverage.
Mr Ewing said: “It is not fair that communities in the Highlands and Islands continue to be charged an excessive amount when ordering the same items as people in other areas of Scotland and the UK.
“Delivery surcharges not only penalise rural consumers, but also businesses in rural areas are disproportionately affected.
“Citizens Advice Scotland have recently demonstrated that fewer online retailers now impose a surcharge for delivery to remote and rural communities, which is to be welcomed."
David Moyes, Policy Officer for Citizens Advice Scotland said: “For a number of years we have campaigned to highlight the impact of high delivery charges on rural consumers.
"Individuals and businesses continue to be frustrated by unexpected or unaffordable charges, and also by poor communications and misleading price information from some online retailers and delivery companies.
"Throughout our campaigning on this issue we have worked with a number of partners, including the Scottish Government. We welcome their commitment to finding solutions that will help level the playing field for Scotland’s rural businesses and consumers.”