Whether you are new to the eCommerce business or an expert, the last few months of the year are the busiest shopping seasons of the year, as a result, most people shifted to online shopping.
The increase in online shopping resulted in a shock to the eCommerce industry. Most online shops received more orders than they can handle or deliver. Drastic change needed to be made to accommodate more online shoppers and fasten last-mile delivery. As a result, to stay afloat companies had to look for solutions fast.
In this article, we are going to look at some tips on preparing your eCommerce logistics this festive season and help you stay ahead of your competitors. Read along to find out.
1. Plan ahead before the holiday season.
One of the most common mistakes made while planning for the holiday season is simply waiting too long to start. The holidays are the busiest time of year for freight shipping, so securing capacity can be very difficult if not done in advance.
2. Have a realistic budget to keep your feet on the ground.
You need to plan and stick to the budget. You need to set a realistic budget to be successful in the industry. You might be required to increase shipping rates as well as reconsider other situations like analyzing the cost of shipping incurred in the previous years, check out historical data and consider taking cheaper and less popular routes.
3. Leverage multiple carrier services.
It depends on the size of your company. If it’s a small company a single carrier system is advisable. However, if the sales are high during this festive season, it is important to use multiple carriers to make the distribution process effective.
4. Pay attention to on-time delivery.
During the peak season, customers expect to experience the best from their sellers. They want their items to be dispatched effortlessly and quickly. Since the delivery process is crucial when shopping online retail companies depend on shipping companies to dispatch the items on time. Hence on-time delivery is the main area of focus for eCommerce stores.
5. Secure drivers and capacity.
During the holiday period, congested routes may happen more often than usual. Recent events, such as the pandemic, also showed us that many logistic challenges are difficult to foresee. That is why securing carriers’ capacity should be one of the prime points of focus in preparations for the peak season. Routes congestion, long transit times or lack of drivers are some of the possibilities that may disrupt the shipping process. To secure efficient transportation, brands usually decide to partner with experienced and trusted 3PLs, especially during the peak season.
How Norma Can Help Prepare Ecommerce Logistics For The Christmas Season.
Managing a winning eCommerce business requires a lot of dedication and sacrifice. There are certain ways you can help you be ready for this demanding high season. This includes the use of AI applications solutions and optimization software. Using route planning software helps reduce errors and delays, improve first-time delivery success, and reduce overall operational costs. A multi-stop route planning software will improve customer satisfaction and user experience.
Click here to get more information about Norma and how it will help in improving your route optimization process.