Fashion giant Next has warned the Prime Minister that there will be "some degradation" of its services unless he relaxes the rules on immigration over the festive period.
Boris Johnson has been warned Britain's "looming skills crisis" is threatening the festive period and that ministers need to adopt a "more decisive approach."
Next have forecast a further increase in profits but have warned "seasonal labour shortages" could affect not only its' business but the wider economy.
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The company said: "We anticipate that, without some relaxation of immigration rules, we are likely to experience some degradation in our service in the run-up to Christmas.
"The HGV crisis was foreseen and widely predicted for many months.
"For the sake of the wider UK economy, we hope that the Government will take a more decisive approach to the looming skills crisis in warehouses, restaurants, hotels, care homes and many seasonal industries.
"A demand-led approach to ensuring the country has the skills it needs is now vital."
The news comes after days of chaos in England following the "fuel crisis" which has seen thousands of people out panic buying at the nation's petrol stations after reports there was a shortage of tanker drivers.
Boris Johnson said on Tuesday the situation was "stabilising" and urged motorists to fill up their tanks as normal.
He said the Government was putting in place preparations to ensure "all parts of our supply chain" - not just petrol - were able to "get through to Christmas and beyond"
150 military drivers, together with a further 150 drivers' mates, who have been put on standby to assist in the crisis were beginning training to operate petrol tankers.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the first troops would be appearing on the roads within a matter of days.
He said: "It takes, sometimes, a few days to get troops on the ground. We have decided to do that. I think in the next couple of days you will see some soldiers driving tankers."
