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What is Peak Season Planning and Why Does It Matter?
In the parcel industry, peak season planning is a supply chain strategy targeted around specific holiday shopping seasons in an effort to serve as many customers as efficiently and quickly as possible. The season with the most concerted effort across all brands is generally the winter holiday/Christmas season, though peak season planning can encompass any season that your shoppers increase shopping activity around, such as Easter or Halloween.
Why is Peak Season Planning Important to Your Parcel Network?
- Online shopping increases during peak holiday seasons. Holiday shoppers are seeking more purchases at the best available prices, and much of that shopping begins online. In fact, for many retailers, online sales during these times can account for up to 40% of annual sales.
- Increased shopping brings increased activity – for you and your carriers. From new sales opportunities, record sales, and increased returns, your parcel network will undoubtedly experience growing pains for any unpredicted or planned for changes, but don’t forget about your carriers, too. They’re busier than normal also, and that means you’ll do well to monitor your parcels closely, seeking out delayed or lost packages, as well as unexpected surcharges or new accessorials.
- Consumer expectations are heightened. Perhaps more than any other time, shoppers are sensitive to price and shipping time. They’re seeking better deals (because they’re buying more than normal), and they want those purchased products faster than ever (because they still need to wrap it and check it off the To-Do list). A brand that delights instead of vexes during this time will likely remain favored when peak seasons end.
Overall, peak season planning is ideally meant to help your brand and parcel network prepare for a busier shopping season. That means more time proactively preparing vs. reactively putting out fires and dealing with unforeseen growing pains. The principles of Parcel Spend Management are just as valid during this time as any other, if not more so.
Recent Resources
Braced for Peak Season, Industry Can’t Help But Eye 2022
The industry is ready for peak season, but everyone is waiting for what comes after – waiting to see how the industry and carriers change.
Carrier Surcharges are in the Air, Industry Braces for Peak Season
Carriers announce new/adjusted peak season surcharges, and seasonal hiring continues to amp up. Peak season is nearly here.
Keeping Up with the (Delivery) Jetsons: Creative Order Fulfillment Strategies from the Pandemic
Current order fulfillment trends are driven by customer satisfaction & cost savings, and we break down the most important and urgent ones.
Five Important Parcel Takeaways for 2021
Today, we’re highlighting five important lessons learned by shippers from the 2021 GMT Parcel Benchmark Report.
Lessons Learned: 5 Steps to Prepare for Peak Season
Social and epidemiological challenges reached a nexus in 2020, causing major disruptions to global supply chains. How can shippers adapt in 2021?
Lessons Learned from the Largest Brands Operating During COVID-19
It has been an unprecedented year in the transportation industry from elevated volumes during COVID 19 to a highly anticipated peak season, there is a lot to discuss. Join the experts covering lessons learned from the largest brands operating during these times.
PANEL: Peak & Pandemic Fulfillment Strategies: Keys to Operating in a New Environment
Peak season brings on enough challenges. Add those to lingering effects of COVID-19 and your supply chain is pushed to its limits. Join four experts as they help you solve the challenges within your distribution center and delivery channels by providing best practices and answering your questions. Then you’ll get a chance to enter a virtual roundtable to brainstorm with your peers on what they are facing and how they are combating the disruptions.
Transportation Trends and the Impact of COVID-19
Insights from GMT's annual Benchmark Report. Featuring Chris Johnson, Senior Analyst at Cleveland Research Center.
