Holiday Hustle: Navigate the Shipping Rush

Welcome back to our latest newsletter! Can you believe Halloween is almost here? Before you know it, we’ll be hanging up Christmas lights — where did the year go?

Anyway, as we prepare for the season of giving (and surviving the holiday craziness), we’re excited to share the latest trends, tips, and insights in logistics. Whether you’re looking to optimize your holiday shipping strategy or stay ahead of market shifts, we've got you covered.

Let’s dive in!

NRF Predicts a Busy Holiday Shopping (and Shipping) Season

Last week, the National Retail Federation (NRF) announced that it’s expecting 2024 holiday sales to grow by 2.5 to 3.5% over 2023 numbers. According to the NRF, American consumers will spend up to $989 billion this November and December, up from $955.6 billion in 2023.

“The economy remains fundamentally healthy and continues to maintain its momentum heading into the final months of the year,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “The winter holidays are an important tradition to American families, and their capacity to spend will continue to be supported by a strong job market and wage growth.” ??

While this is certainly good news, the NRF predictions also imply some challenges for logistics teams, including:

• With Thanksgiving falling on November 28th this year, the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is compressed, adding up to just 26 days. While many retailers will offer early deals, for logistics teams the shortened window still means big shipping volumes in a relatively short time frame.
• While projected annual sales growth is around 2.5 to 3.5%, online sales growth is expected to be much higher, about 8 to 9%. This will place pressure on logistics teams to manage the continued growth of e-commerce fulfillment and transportation.
• The NRF’s projections are just that: Best guesses. The organization noted that there are many uncertainties that could influence demand — from the outcome of the US presidential election to the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

How can retailers manage this year’s compressed holiday rush — achieving high service levels, while still earning holly jolly profit margins? From advisory services to hands-on execution, and from parcel to full truckloads, the answer is partnering with Redwood.

Whatever the months of November and December bring, after two decades — and hundreds of successful customer engagements — Redwood has been there and done that.

Reach out to Redwood to help manage the holiday rush!

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Upcoming Events

Wrap It Up: Holiday Shipping Strategies for Success

Thursday, October 31st, 2024 at 1PM CT

Virtual: Linkedin Live

Ready to conquer the holiday shipping rush? Join parcel experts Natalie O'Hara and Katie Jo Swaggert, along with a special guest, to learn tips, tricks, and insider secrets for a stress-free season. Don't miss out — register today!

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Veterans in Logistics

Monday, November 11th, 2024 at 1PM CT

Virtual: LinkedIn Live

Celebrate Veterans Day on Monday, November 11th, by tuning in to Redwood’s 4th annual Veterans in Logistics event, honoring veterans' contributions and skills in the logistics industry.

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