Exclusive: Skinwear firm admits delivery services overstretched amid heavy criticism from customers

Shoppers have taken to the reviews site Trustpilot to warn others against making orders, with some saying they had waited for more than a month for their goods to arrive and had been unable to obtain a refund.

Almost 90% of the 460 reviews of Wolford give the Austrian brand, where a pair of tights costs from £25 to £200, just one star.

In a review posted this weekend, one shopper said they had not received items paid for in November: “Was suppose[d] to wear tights for Christmas party and then New Year’s Eve still haven’t received my order. What the heck.”

Another wrote: “Ladies, DO NOT BUY from Wolford the[re] are so many great tights with amazing quality that really gives us better service and will value [customers] like us.”

The company, which is part of the Chinese-owned luxury group Lanvin, told the Guardian that “unforeseen complications led to longer-than-expected delays” after it switched to a new delivery provider last year to “improve efficiency”.

However, a note on Wolford’s website warned on Monday: “Due to the high volume of orders, shipments may be delayed.”

Sign up to Business Today

Get set for the working day – we’ll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning

Half-year losses at the brand widened to €25m (£21m), from €16m a year before. The company said it had received €5m in shareholder loans to support the group between July and September.

Also in July last year, Lanvin issued a “letter of comfort” pledging that it would provide financial support to enable the company to meet its liabilities as they arose ane “ensure the company’s continued existence for the foreseeable future”. The guarantee cannot be revoked until the end of July 2026.

Wolford was founded in 1950s and became known for innovations including seamless nylon stockings.

Source: www.theguardian.com