[FR] 5 logistical tips to cope with the peak season of your website or shop

The sales are approaching, and like every peak season, it’s the same thing: you have so much to do! You have to prepare your promotion strategy, define which products you want to sell, prepare your teams and their planning for the influx of orders, launch your communication campaigns, etc.

But have you anticipated the logistics of this peak order period?

Take advice from our supply chain management experts in this article. They reveal the best practices to face the peak season with the most serenity possible and to get the maximum results!

1. Improve your stock management for the peak season

Before a peak season, you naturally take stock well in advance of the season and the products that need to be available, as they are on sale.

But have you thought about your storage method? This is the basis for being able to satisfy your customers’ demands: organise your order preparation well and make your work of managing and tracing orders easier.

So make sure you review the way your stocks are managed and, consequently, how your warehouse is organised.

Here are 3 ways to find out more about storage methods:

The ABC method, which consists of positioning the most ordered products as close as possible to the order picking areas, and the others further away.
The LIFO(Last In First Out)method, which positions the last products to be placed in stock as close as possible to the packing area, and is particularly suitable for perishable products
The FIFO(First In First Out)method, which is the opposite of the LIFO method.

Once you have chosen your preferred method, you can then choose the right equipment to reorganise your warehouse in the best possible way, particularly in terms of shelving.

This will optimise the picking phase of your products in the warehouse and improve your order picking for the peak season.

2. Accelerate the speed in your warehouse

Accelerating your preparation rate is the essential key to making your logistics more fluid during the peak season. But the objective is to do this while limiting the number of order errors!

Hence the need to provide your order pickers with the right equipment to help them prepare customer orders quickly and efficiently.

In particular, you should consider integrating the following into your supply chain:

Handling equipment that facilitates the picking of products in the warehouses: trolleys and rolls are essential for smoothing your flows
Time-saving packaging, such as quick-assembly or instant cardboard boxes, which can be assembled by simply pressing on the sides of the packaging
Packaging machines or systemsPackaging machines or systems, such as paper or air cushioning machines, which limit the handling required to shape the cushioning material to be integrated into the packaging

But don’t neglect safety and well-being in the warehouse!

Your pickers are the key to the productivity of your warehouse. You need to make sure they get the most out of this peak season, by ensuring their safety and reducing the stress that such an influx of orders can cause.

Think in particular about optimising the ergonomics of their picking stations, or even training them in good practices for waking up muscles, which can limit their discomfort.

To find out more, read our practical advice for improving well-being in your warehouse.

3. Work on your customer experience through your packaging

Your packaging strategy remains one of the simplest and most effective elements to work on to improve your customer experience. In e-commerce, it is the first element of physical contact between your customers and your brand, and therefore an ideal lever for differentiation and competitiveness. In physical stores, it is the element that makes their customer experience last until they arrive home after the purchase. Hence the importance of making your packaging optimal for their needs and expectations – especially during peak season!

So what is packaging that enhances the customer experience?

Packaging that facilitates the transport of goods or deliveries

If you sell your products in physical shops, your packaging should make it easy for your customers to transport the goods.

	The kraft bagThe kraft bag, either coloured or natural kraft, is an essential to make the transport of your goods easy for your customers.
	For an even more elegant effect, opt for coloured laminated bagsFor an even more elegant effect, opt for coloured laminated bags, matt and aesthetic.
	When transporting products with special protection needs, such as bottles, always check that there are options specifically designed for these types of goods – like this beer bottle box.

On the e-commerce side, postal or flexible packaging is your best bet during this peak order period. They allow your parcels to be delivered to the letterbox as soon as the postman comes: ideal for a smooth customer experience!

	The extra-flat cardboard mailboxThe extra-flat cardboard mailbox, protective and easy to close thanks to its adhesive strip, makes your deliveries smooth.
	The cardboard postal boxes are just as interesting for the letter box, but offer a greater capacity.
	The 100% paper padded pouch protects your heavy products during shipment, while remaining lightweight.
	The 100% paper bubble pouchThe 100% paper bubble pouch is ideal for reducing your postal costs while opting for zero plastic packaging.

Eco-responsible packaging

The second key criterion for selecting packaging that will delight your customers, whether in the shop or when shopping online: its eco-responsibility. Consumers are increasingly concerned about protecting the environment – and your packaging choices should reflect this trend.

	Kraft bagsbags, which are recyclable, are replacing petro-sourced plastic bags.
	Your cardboard boxes should be recyclable, or even made from recycled cardboard – and clearly indicate the sorting method that the consumer must follow once the packaging has reached the end of its life.
	Consider using environmentally friendly cushioning methods such as paper crimping, tissue paper or kraft paper.

To dig deeper into the subject, discover the 5Rs method of packaging: an essential for choosing more virtuous packaging for the planet!

4. Work on your customer loyalty through packaging

Generating a good turnover during the peak season is good – but building customer loyalty to generate more throughout the year is better!

To do this, you need to choose packaging that takes care of theunboxing of your products, especially in e-commerce. This trick allows you to enhance your brand image by making the experience memorable.

In addition to being eco-responsible and practical, your packaging can be personalised with your brand’s colours to become a real communication tool. Why not put your logo, your brand slogan or even a promotional message specifically dedicated to the peak season on it?

To go further, check out our tips for creating effective and memorable customised packaging.

5. Anticipate order returns

Whether it’s the sales, the holiday season, or Black Friday, it’s a known fact: impulse purchases made by consumers at that time result in a wave of order returns later on.

It’s best to anticipate your reverse logistics, so as to manage it as well as possible afterwards, and avoid overloading your logistics services afterwards!

To do this, you need to :

Set upa strict return policy. This includes clearly indicating the conditions for returning your goods on your website and/or on your sales slips.
Use returnable packaging for e-commerce. These are packages designed to withstand two shipments and have a double sealing strip. They allow your customers to send their products back to you in the best conditions, so that you can put them back in stock later if necessary.

You have a productive peak season, where your operators can quickly prepare the orders that come into your warehouse, and your customers are so satisfied that they will come back to buy from your company later!