{"id":285,"date":"2021-09-29T12:33:54","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T17:33:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/peak-season-fulfillment\/"},"modified":"2025-10-09T21:37:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T21:37:05","slug":"peak-season-fulfillment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/peak-season-fulfillment\/","title":{"rendered":"Peak Season Fulfilment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Peak Season Fulfilment<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Preparing for the holiday peak season requires a strategic fulfilment strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But keeping up with a high-volume of orders during the busiest season of the year is one of the biggest challenges for online brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, you don\u2019t have to tackle the peak season alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob is a best-in-class 3PL that can help you prepare for the peak season. Read on to learn how ShipBob partners with online brands in a wide range of industries to help them prepare for Q4.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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We\u2019ll get back to you within 24 hours. Privacy Policy<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

When does peak shipping season start & finish?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Peak shipping season begins earlier than many people think \u2014 both ecommerce sales and the shipping industry fully ramp up as early as October, and demand continues until the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the ongoing pandemic, US retailers will face an additional $223 billion<\/a> in costs this holiday season due to global supply chain issues. Fortunately, sales continue to rise, but the supply chain has become more complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to note that post-2020, these timelines will be extended and start even earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 tips for preparing for the peak season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From as early as October through January, this is the time of year when the majority of ecommerce brands experience the biggest surge and returns in orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some tips on how to prepare for peak season:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Forecast demand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By forecasting demand<\/a>, you can optimise stock levels by tracking fast-selling vs. slow-moving items and make better decisions on how much of each SKU to reorder and when.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To better forecast inventory<\/a> needs, look at historical data, think through planned promotions, and decide how you will handle massive influxes in demand.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Spikes in order volume can happen at any time, so knowing that our 3PL partner is able to manage huge peaks in business and fulfil thousands of orders in a short time if needed is priceless. With ShipBob, we\u2019re not afraid of going viral! We\u2019re not afraid of blowing up, because we know that ShipBob will be able to handle surges in demand.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juliana Brasil, Director of Operations at Food Huggers<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

2. Prepare inventory levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By understanding production lead times, you lower the risk of stockouts<\/a>, backorders<\/a>, and running promotions on out-of-stock items.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure you have enough inventory to meet demand, be sure to work closely with your manufacturer or supplier by sharing predicted Q4 order volume ahead of time to avoid potential stockouts during the holiday season. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work in longer than normal lead times, due to not only Q4 demand, but port delays and other supply chain issues. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Distribute inventory for faster delivery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By storing inventory in multiple locations, you can lower shipping costs and increase conversions by offering free shipping<\/a> thresholds and 2-day shipping<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you partner with a 3PL like ShipBob, you already have access to multiple fulfilment centre<\/a> locations to optimise shipping costs and reduce transit times.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob also provides data and analytics reporting tools<\/a> to help you understand which regions (and countries) can optimise your strategy. That way, you can identify your brand\u2019s ideal product allocation<\/a> strategy. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distributed inventory enables you to offer competitive shipping options, such as 2-day or free shipping with a minimum spend threshold that\u2019s above your average order value (AOV)<\/a> can increase AOV and decrease cart abandonment<\/a> by <\/span>18%<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Know holiday delivery deadlines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Especially after last year, it\u2019s important to plan for and track courier transit times (example <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>) and communicate potential delays to your customers. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As always, be sure you offer your customers order tracking<\/a>, so they can track orders in real time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Prepare your returns management process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having a proper returns management<\/a> strategy in place can improve brand loyalty and maintain sales by making the returns process as simple as possible for the customer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great returns experience can also encourage your customers to make an exchange, so you don\u2019t lose out on a sale.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to review your returns and exchange policy in place, and ensure that is easy to understand and accessible on your online store or product listings.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secure a 3PL partner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fulfilling holiday demand on your own is very challenging and leasing your own warehouse is expensive and time-consuming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob can help you get onboarded fast so you\u2019re prepared for the busy holiday season. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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