Holiday Season is Now Shipping

It’s only a matter of time before consumers will step into their favorite big box store and will no doubt be blindsided by the presence of holiday goods.

While this seems to catch most people off guard year after year, at TZR we know that now is the time for retail businesses to start thinking about ‘decking the aisles’ in preparation for the chaos of the holiday season.

In the retail space, that means our clients should be deep into the planning stages of preparing to receive inventory that will carry them through the end of the year.

Not only that, but those that are stocking goods in-store will also need to consider how the product will be displayed. In-store Point-of-Purchase displays are a whole separate industry that should be handled with careful planning and consideration.

“Peak season and holiday shipping impacts can hit the logistics industry as early as August, lasting through early January.”

It’s time to ‘deck the aisles’

We know that the retailer’s primary job is to plan and forecast as accurately as possible so they can hand over the reins to suppliers to get the product and displays they need in time – and intact – for the early holiday rush.

Finding top-of-the-line logistical support, reliable shipping, care in handling of product and displays, and an overall commitment to fulfillment is all part of the process and there are several ways to ensure this goes as smoothly as possible.

Here is a great summary from Zipline Logistics:

Over communicate – Determine the amount of freight you plan to ship during this window and share that information with your transportation partners far in advance.

Build in extra time – …recommend that you build in an additional two days of transit around the key dates in the holiday season. That will provide an adequate buffer time for problem-solving.

Know carrier holiday service schedules – 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.

Prepare for known holiday surcharges – Plan in your budgets for slightly higher parcel shipping costs to match the influx of holiday demand.

Ensure order visibility – Ensure you have tracking in place. Luckily, in today’s technology rich freight environment, you have numerous options.

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.

Plan to exceed expectations

Heeding the above advice can help launch your season on the right foot – which is imperative every year, but seems especially important now given how the consumer landscape looks going into the holiday season.

Consumers have high expectations of retailers both when it comes to price and convenience. Comparison shopping for the best deal has been made exponentially easier by the rise of ecommerce and related technologies that help consumers sort through the crowded landscape.

And while many shoppers are still willing to pay for quality, they expect quick and easy customer service – especially when it comes to shipping – in return.

“Increased costs associated with supply chain challenges and inflation will lead to higher prices for holiday products. In response, customers will have higher expectations for the quality of goods and the overall shopping experience.”

Brick and mortar shopping is not dead

While technology has made ecommerce king, it would be unwise to overlook the in-store experience, which many shoppers still rely on for their holiday shopping.

As we mentioned, the in-store POP world is just as vital to the retail equation and many of the same considerations apply.

“Planning to setup successful POP displays means the displays and products must arrive on schedule and organized in order to maximize efficiency. Working with a 3PL provider can take care of the many details of preplanning an upcoming holiday season, ensuring sales will go smoothly.”

It bears repeating that, when it comes to preparing for the in-store holiday season, finding a partner that you can trust to deliver quality products, on-time is going to make or break your year.

How product is presented is as important as the product itself and retailers who place value in this will see the rewards. This includes proper handling/maintenance of displays while in storage, strategic placement within the appropriate footprint in-store, and training for employees to set-up and stock displays.

Your POP vendor can make or break your season

Make sure your third-party display vendor does not feel like a third wheel during the holidays.

STC Logistics warns: “A number of risks are involved with the transport and delivery of holiday POP displays, including the collection of dust or dirt, corrosion of materials or exposure to the elements. These hazards, combined with the risk of damage due to jostling during transport, can weaken the overall effect of these displays and therefore must be avoided. An experienced and professional 3PL provider will guarantee that all POP displays will arrive safely and in the condition they are meant to be. Searching for the safest and quickest route ensures that POP displays are minimally handled and protected through their delivery.

Many of the third-party display manufactures recommend:

• “Train retail staff on how to handle and set up quarter pallet displays efficiently. This includes best practices for maintaining the displays throughout the holiday season to ensure they remain attractive and effective in driving sales”
• “Start planning early to ensure that the necessary space is allocated for holiday drop zones. This involves coordinating with store managers to identify high-traffic areas suitable for these displays”
• “Keep track of the inventory specifically allocated for holiday drop zones. This includes monitoring stock levels and ensuring that popular items are replenished promptly.”

As summer winds down and we look to the fall season, be sure that you have resources allocated to the important work of holiday planning. While this has likely been top of mind since January 1, we are moving quickly towards crunch time and being prepared will pay-off big time come November. Taking steps now will give you and your team just little more to celebrate this holiday season.