The end-of-year peak season is almost here – the busiest time of the year for e-commerce merchants! Black Friday and the Christmas season are just around the corner, and many stores may generate up to half of their annual sales during these weeks. Shipit offers expert logistics tips to help e-commerce merchants ensure a smooth and customer-oriented peak season. Read below how to ensure efficient operations, customer satisfaction, and competitiveness during the seasonal rush.
1. Forecast inventory needs and prepare in advance
The peak season is full of buyers, so inventory sufficiency is critical. Utilize previous years' seasonal sales data and prepare adequately with both products and packaging materials.
– Using previous years' sales data, you can order products in advance and avoid both over- and under-stock situations, tips Shipit's COO Sami Hakanen.
2. Focus on diverse delivery options
During the end-of-year season, customers value fast and flexible deliveries. Shipit offers a wide range of delivery options, including home deliveries, parcel locker deliveries, and express deliveries through Wolt.
– Don't limit deliveries to one carrier's services. Let customers define where they want their order delivered. Diverse options improve conversion and reduce shopping cart abandonment, advises Hakanen.
3. Utilize express deliveries
Speed can be a decisive factor for customers who leave gift shopping to the last minute. For example, Wolt's express delivery enables delivery within an hour, which can be a significant competitive advantage. Remember to advertise fast delivery options in your marketing channels.
– Today, speed can be a trump card, so utilize delivery speed and versatility in marketing. For example, you can communicate that orders placed before a certain time will be shipped the same day from your warehouse, Hakanen suggests.
4. Ensure website functionality
During the season, your e-commerce site faces increased traffic, so ensure fast loading times and a clear user interface. Group products into categories and offer customers the ability to create wishlists. A good online user experience can make a decisive difference in purchase decisions.
– Quality images and informative texts are key in your online store and marketing. Remember, customers look at images first - a picture is worth a thousand words, reminds Hakanen.
5. Pay attention to packaging and branding
Good packaging protects products and reduces transport damage. Choose the right size packaging, protect products carefully, and ensure address label barcodes are easily readable. Sustainability is also important: consider using recycled filling materials, as customers value environmentally friendly solutions.
– Your packaging can also be part of your brand – utilize your company logo and colors and include a personal thank you message to the customer. This small gesture can encourage customers to share their experience on social media, Hakanen suggests.
Read more about proper package packing.
6. Be clear about return policies
Returns management is important for customer experience. Open and clear return policies reduce uncertainty. You can also offer parcel locker returns, which are convenient for customers.
7. Communicate openly about deliveries
During the season, deliveries may experience delays, as many delivery methods are not scheduled, and delivery times may extend during peak periods. Open and honest communication about possible delays is important as it increases customer satisfaction and builds trust.
– Additionally, stores should inform customers about how quickly products are packed and shipped. Real-time tracking helps customers monitor their order independently, which also reduces customer service requests, Hakanen advises.
8. Plan an after-sales strategy
Peak season brings new customers to your store, and an after-sales strategy can help retain them. A thank-you email and perhaps a discount code for the next purchase make a positive impression. At the same time, you can encourage customers to share their experience and return to shop again.
Additional information and help from Shipit
If you want more tips on, for example, which delivery options to add to your online store checkout or how to pack products correctly for both domestic and international shipments, Shipit's customer service is ready to help!
– Every customer is equally important to us, and we help every customer – whether it's a large or small online store or even a large listed company, reminds Hakanen.
Our customer service is available on weekdays from 9 AM to 4 PM
+358 (0)20 752 8488
asiakaspalvelu (at) shipit.fi
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Learn more about our diverse services for online stores and businesses and register free of charge.
Our free logistics guide offers more useful tips for optimizing your online store logistics. From Shipit's online store, you can easily acquire address labels, label printers, and other necessary products for sending packages.
Also read our guide on clear description of goods in international shipments!