How to prepare your business for the upcoming busy season so you don’t have delivery delays?

In the ecommerce world, few times of the year are as chaotic and high-stakes as the holiday season. With major shopping periods like Black Friday and Christmas on the horizon, businesses face an influx of orders, leaving them at risk of delayed deliveries if they aren’t fully prepared. But with proactive planning and efficient logistics strategies, you can manage increased demand while keeping deliveries timely. 

With Black Friday and Christmas being some of the busiest shopping days, you’ll want to prepare for these spikes specifically. Consider opening orders early for loyal customers or offering an “early access” event that distributes demand over a few days instead of concentrating it all on Black Friday. This can ease pressure on your logistics network and help prevent any immediate backlogs.

Understanding demand is the first step in preparing for any busy season. Look back at sales data from previous years, including both Black Friday and the Christmas season, to identify patterns and spikes. Using data and considering current market trends and economic conditions can help forecast demand with higher accuracy. Anticipate how factors such as a surge in online shopping or the ongoing inflation might impact this season.

Moreover, inventory shortages are a major cause of delivery delays. To avoid this, place orders with suppliers well in advance. If it is financially possible, you should also consider keeping safety stock, an additional reserve of inventory to handle unexpected spikes in demand. 

Take stock of packaging materials, shipping supplies, and labels. With the expected volume, it’s essential for them to be in surplus. Consider speaking to suppliers about their timelines for restocking materials so that you can better plan for the busiest parts of the season.

If your business doesn’t have the resources to handle an increase in order volume, consider outsourcing to a third-party logistics provider. Choose shipping partners wisely, as they play a key role in timely deliveries. Partner with reputable logistics providers like Direx who have a history of handling high-volume orders. Some shipping companies offer programs specifically designed for the holiday rush, providing guaranteed shipping speeds or discounted rates. Ask your logistics partner if they offer tracking options for your customers, as it will help manage customer expectations and reduce stress on your customer service team during busy times.

As you may know from experience, effective communication is crucial during peak shopping periods. Clearly communicate shipping policies, delivery cut-off dates, and expected delivery timelines on your website, social media, and at checkout. Being transparent with customers about when they can expect their items helps set realistic expectations and can prevent frustration if there are unexpected delays.

The busy season also brings an increase in returns, especially after Christmas. A smooth and efficient returns process is essential to manage these incoming items without affecting outgoing orders. Implement clear return policies, and consider streamlining the process by including return labels in packages. Many companies find that a well-handled return process increases customer satisfaction and reduces operational chaos. Have a designated team for returns and restocking, and ensure they’re prepared for the holiday returns influx.

Another tip from us is to perform stress tests on your e-commerce platform. High website traffic on days like Black Friday can slow down page loading times, which impacts the customer experience. Testing your system's capabilities under simulated heavy loads ensures that customers won’t face disruptions during the busiest shopping days.

Finally, don’t overlook the post-holiday period. January often brings a wave of returns, exchanges, and delayed orders to process. Have a postseason plan to handle these requests efficiently. In some cases, businesses experience demand spikes in the New Year as customers redeem gift cards or use Christmas money, so having a strategy to maintain order fulfillment even after the holiday season can be just as important.

Preparing your business for the holiday season IS A BIG DEAL, but with careful planning and efficient logistics practices, you can minimize delivery delays and keep customers happy. 

Embrace proactive communication and maintain a flexible approach to accommodate unexpected challenges, and you’ll be set for a smooth and successful holiday season. And if you need a hand with timely and smooth delivery - give us a call.