The p&p definitely is way higher than I've seen elsewhere, and it often stops me buying something or I look elsewhere for the same thing. Also small items can be high, it doesn't seem to just go on weight or size.
I think QVC once told me it was because there warehouse is so large that they have to charge p&p per item rather than per order, I'm not convinced by that. I think it may also be that they rely on impulse buys and selling to someone whilst they are on air, so they don't want people to think 'oh, I'll wait on that one and see if I'm ordering anything else soon to share the p&p', then you might not get it.
I think QVC once told me it was because there warehouse is so large that they have to charge p&p per item rather than per order, I'm not convinced by that. I think it may also be that they rely on impulse buys and selling to someone whilst they are on air, so they don't want people to think 'oh, I'll wait on that one and see if I'm ordering anything else soon to share the p&p', then you might not get it.