COVID-19 Live Updates and FAQs
Last updated May 2022 // Providing a little more clarity during times of uncertainty with live updates on Cult showrooms, deliveries, operations and safety measures.
Due to a spike in COVID-positive cases at Cult, our retail, trade and logistics teams nationwide are currently running at limited capacity. As a result, you may experience extended response times to enquiries, along with limited showroom support. Thank you for your patience while our team on the ground work their hardest to keep things running smoothly.
Current lockdowns in China are having a significant effect on lead-times. On average, we are experiencing a 5-6 week delay on product arriving from China. However, these delays may increase as lockdowns are extended.
Current online order status:
We are currently experiencing up to 3 week delays with our online order deliveries. We thank you for your patience during this time.
Current showroom status:
Our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane showrooms are open! Our commercial and retail teams remain available via phone and email to assist you, should you not be able to make it in store or book an appointment via the link below.
We remain dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of our team and customers alike, and we have put additional measures in place in store, details of which are outlined below:
All Cult showrooms are registered COVID Safe! We have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and are committed to keeping you safe.
Hand sanitiser is available at our front desk and throughout our store, and we ask that our visitors sanitise upon entering.
We ask that all store visitors adhere to social distancing guidelines of 1.5m, and you’ll find floor markers in place to assist with this.
We encourage our in-store customers to use electronic payment, including contactless or tap-and-go payments, instead of cash.
We have increased our full store cleans, with additional regular cleaning of high traffic areas including door handles, handrails and EFTPOS machines.
We thank you for your patience and assistance in helping us to stay safe together during these challenging times.
Delivery and collection in NSW:
Our warehouse is accepting contactless collections. Please call our warehouse team on (02) 8062 6090 to organise a time and our friendly staff will run through contactless collection requirements.
Delivery – to ensure contactless deliveries, our driver will call upon arrival and will drop your product at the door, or on the ground floor if you live in an apartment building. If it’s safe to do so, we can unpack or assemble items prior to delivery. Our team will contact you to book your delivery, and can answer any questions you may have.
Commercial deliveries - please contact our team who will assist in arranging a safe and suitable solution for your project.
Delivery and collection in VIC:
Our showrooms are available for click-and-collect. Please call the showroom team on (03) 9066 1177 to organise a time and our friendly staff will run through contactless collection requirements.
Our warehouse is accepting contactless collections. Please call our showroom team on (03) 9066 1177 to organise a time and our friendly staff will run through contactless collection requirements.
Delivery – to ensure contactless deliveries, our driver will call upon arrival and will drop your product at the door, or on the ground floor if you live in an apartment building. If it’s safe to do so, we can unpack or assemble items prior to delivery. Our team will contact you to book your delivery, and can answer any questions you may have.
Commercial deliveries - please contact our team who will assist in arranging a safe and suitable solution for your project.
Delivery and collection in QLD:
Our showroom remains available for click-and-collect. Please call the showroom team on (07) 3252 7605 to organise a time and our friendly staff will run through contactless collection requirements.
Delivery – to ensure contactless deliveries, our driver will call upon arrival and will drop your product at the door, or on the ground floor if you live in an apartment building. If it’s safe to do so, we can unpack or assemble items prior to delivery. Our team will contact you to book your delivery, and can answer any questions you may have.
Commercial deliveries - please contact our team who will assist in arranging a safe and suitable solution for your project.
Current shipping, lead-time and delivery updates:
The global effects of COVID-19 have resulted in schedule delays across shipping and airfreight industries which has resulted in an impact on the the listed lead times of many of our products, the majority of which are shipped to us from Europe or China. On average, we are experiencing a 5-6 week delay on product lead-times from China (including delays in China and AU/NZ) and 4 week delay on product lead-times from Europe (including delays in Europe and AU/NZ).
Your sales representative will give you an overview of the delays likely to be incurred when you order.
For up-to-date information on shipping delays, please refer to the information outlined below:
Delays from China
oThe increase in demand of export goods from China globally, without a reciprocal demand for imported goods into China has two significant effects to shipping
1. Reduction in available containers worldwide, as empty containers remain in China. In Shenzhen port alone, there is a current shortage of 5,000 containers.
2. Vessel schedules are clogged particularly around the southern ports. There is currently an excess of vessels floating around the southern Chinese ports.
o Port closures in China, due to ongoing COVID-19 threat, have also increased pressure on remaining open ports and schedules.
o Average berthing time (time a vessel is spent at a port) has increased from 3-4 days to approximately 16 days.
o We are currently seeing on average 5-6 week delays from China.
Delays from Europe
o The flow on effect from China is starting to appear in Europe, with container shortages and vessel schedules at full capacity
o Delays from China also affect arrival of parts, delaying total production times for some manufacturers.
o We are currently seeing on average 1-2 week delay from Europe.
o Note - also the European Summer holidays have just started, adding up to 4 weeks to standard lead times depending on individual brands.
Delays in Australia & New Zealand
o Greater imports into Australia and New Zealand have resulted in congestion in local ports. This has resulted in:
1. Vessels skipping ports altogether e.g. A vessel skips Sydney, lands into Melbourne, and delays result in the product having to be freighted back to Sydney.
2. Clearance times for containers has increased from an average of 7 days to 10-14 days.
o Unions stopping work at different ports has also placed greater pressure during operating hours and schedules.
o We are currently seeing on average 2-3 week delay after a vessel lands into a local port.
Delays in Airfreight
o Airfreight has already been impacted from flight reduction, but further reduction in passenger arrivals announced recently effect
1. Time for airfreight to arrive
2. Cost to airfreight – recent quotes have doubled in price.
If you are concerned about the lead-time of your order or have any questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
What are virtual consultations and how do I book one?
We understand that during this time, you may be unable to visit our showrooms and we want to ensure that even without a visit, you can still access the necessary product information needed to make an informed decision on the next order for your home or project. Our experienced team of consultants are available via Zoom or FaceTime for tailored one-on-one virtual consultations, and are equipped with product imagery, presentations, data sheets and advice.
How can I ensure I receive updates from Cult, including your showroom opening status?
We want to ensure you stay up to date with Cult news and updates during this time of uncertainty. Be sure to check in on this page for updates, subscribe to our mailing list or follow us on social media.