Top Six Service Logistics Tips for Holiday Shipping
The holiday season is upon us and can last up to early January. While everyone is rushing to deliver presents to their friends and loved ones, this also increases demand on those in shipping and logistics. To help reduce the stress and chaos that the holidays bring about for those in logistics, below are the top nine service logistics tips for the holiday season.
What Are Holiday Logistics?
From as early as August to as long as early January, there’s an increase in the volume of orders for the holidays. To meet the deadlines for these orders, you need an efficient supply chain process that can pack and ship the orders quickly.
How Do The Holidays Impact Logistics
Shipping demands increase during the holidays, which, in turn, results in higher logistics costs, which affects small and medium-sized businesses the most. Along with the increased demand, there are only so many hours in the day that workers can pick a product, pack it and then ship it out to the customer. Also, businesses must prepare themselves for increased web traffic and returns.
Tips For Holiday Logistics
Build In Extra Time
In the world of logistics, it’s never a good idea to wait until the last minute, especially during the holiday season. During this time, build in extra time to account for weather delays, capacity limits, and other unforeseen events that can throw you off your rhythm.
Extra Communication
Communication is a crucial tool for a business to practice, even more so during the holiday season. During this hectic period, sharing information with your transportation partners is vital to ensure everything goes smoothly. This allows both of you to take care of capacity issues and schedule pickups and deliveries promptly.
Faster Delivery By Inventory Distribution
Shipping from one side of the country to the other is expensive and time-consuming, but you can reduce the time and costs by storing your inventory in multiple locations. Distributed inventory also gives you additional shipping options, such as free shipping or 2-day delivery.
Forecast Demand
Making business decisions without knowing where logistics demands will head is never a good idea. When you forecast demands, you can optimize your stock levels and make better decisions on how much of each product to order and when you should order it. Forecasting demand also lets you see which products sell quickly and which move slowly.
Prepare For Holiday Surcharges
In economics, when there’s an increase in demand, prices go up for that service or item, especially for parcel carriers. The rise in prices during the holidays is why it’s a good idea to account for the higher shipping costs by adding it to your budget.
Work With Logistics Experts
When you partner with logistics experts, you’re working with people who understand the complex world of shipping and know how to navigate challenges you’ll face during the holiday season, such as preparing for returns, preparing inventory levels, helping you forecast demand, and more. AFP Global Logistics is a full-service logistics provider committed to mission achievement and providing you with a full menu of logistical services. Talk to our experts to work with a logistics provider who values you as much as you value your shipments.