HOLIDAY SEASON LOGISTICS
Aside from professionals in the Logistics Industry, few people will probably put any thought into how their beloved products find their way onto shelves. But without LOGISTICS, your Holiday gifts would never reach their intended recipients.
The average consumer planned to spend Kshs. 8,000 for Gifts—up nearly 5% over last year’s actual Kshs. 7,000.
Let’s explore how logistics plays an important role in our Holiday Season.
1. Over Communicate
It is key for thriving during the holiday season. You must understand what your freight needs will be during the more hectic time period. Determine the amount of freight you plan to ship during this window and share that information with your transportation partners far in advance. This will allow you to lock in capacity and properly schedule freight pickups and deliveries.
2. Build in Extra Time
Waiting until the last minute is never a sound decision in the world of logistics; however, its effects are amplified during the holiday season. On top of limited capacity, weather delays, carrier issues, and other unforeseen events that are more common this time of year can throw a wrench in your holiday logistics
Additionally, if you do not give your transportation partner or carrier ample lead time, you are bound to pay for it. With an urgent holiday delivery, rates spike substantially, and capacity is scarce. Working ahead is one of the most important things you can do to keep costs down and hit delivery standards during holiday peak.
3. Know Carrier Holiday Service Schedules
Every carrier sets their own holiday schedule. Don’t get caught assuming a carrier is operating when in fact they are taking time off. Many have limited operations leading up to and following a major holiday, meaning during they may perform minimal line-haul services and very limited pickup and delivery services. A 3PL partner should help gather and share these operational deadlines on your behalf.
4. Prepare for Known Holiday Surcharges
Because of increased volumes and demand for speed, many parcel carriers automatically increase their rates during the holidays. If you have enough volume, you can also opt to move your parcel shipments over to LTL during holiday peak and surpass the increase in rates. Depending on your minimum order quantities, this could help you secure noticeable savings.
5. Ensure Order Visibility
For all the reasons previously listed, it’s imperative that you know where your orders are during the hectic holiday shipping season. Ensure you have tracking in place. Luckily, in today’s technology rich freight environment, you have numerous options.
- Add a pallet tracker to your shipments and follow along with updates.
- Request that drivers use GPS tracking.
- Ask your 3PL partner what visibility tools they have available.
6. Work with Retail Logistics Experts
Partnering with a logistics firm that understands the complex, nuanced world of retail shipping will drastically help your chances of success during the holidays. A retail-geared transportation partner can pair your freight with a vast network of preferred carriers that understand the delivery needs at the nation’s most challenging receivers.