For ecommerce brands, peak season is a time when retailers are met with a surge in demand that tests their operational capabilities and puts their inventory management skills to the test. For many brands, the success of peak season can make or break their bottom line. With several holidays falling closely together creating a consumer rush, peak season presents a unique challenge that requires careful planning and preparation.
Ecommerce is continuously evolving, and consumer expectations are shifting rapidly. Fast, free, and reliable shipping has become a necessity. If you can reduce your average shipping time by one day, you have effectively added one additional day of sales to your peak season.
Offering free or low-cost shipping options is a must-have for any brand and requires careful attention to shipping and warehouse strategy. On top of that, the shopping experience itself has become a critical factor in driving customer loyalty and brand perception.
In today's digital age, a mobile-friendly shopping experience is no longer a luxury but a necessity for ecommerce brands. As smartphone usage continues to grow, customers are more likely to engage with brands through their mobile devices. Take the time to review your social media presence and think of
creative ways to engage with your customers online.
Peak Season Prep... in April
While you might be thinking we are nuts to talk about peak season in April, this is no April Fool’s joke. Trust us, there's a lot of work to be done to make sure your inventory is ready. Do your research before ordering new products for the peak season. Take the time to look at your past sales, pricing, competition, market conditions, industry trends, marketing strategy, and missed opportunities from the previous year to create an accurate demand forecast for the upcoming season. When it's time to place a purchase order, make sure you're timing the delivery of your product correctly to avoid extra storage costs. And don't forget to plan for new product arrivals–will you have enough space to store them? Too much? By getting a head start on inventory management, you'll be setting yourself up for peak season success and avoiding last-minute stress.
Motivating Your Team
Your team plays a critical role in your success during peak. But it's not just about having enough bodies; you also need to ensure your team is trained and ready to go. Invest in training programs and resources now to help your team deliver top-notch service to customers during peak. When your order volume quadruples and your support volume peaks, your team will thank you for the extra time you put in to get them prepared. And (most important in my opinion) support your team–fun theme days, meals, contests, and rewards all go a long way to help your team feel supported during a season that is often chaotic and exhausting. After all, this is the team that is making sure you are successful.
Technology for Success
And now, the tech. While we saved it for last (admit it, if we talked about tech stacks first, we may have lost you), it’s one of the most important investments you can make to succeed. As an ecommerce brand, you know how crucial it is to have the right technology to help manage your day-to-day operations. Look for systems that are easy to use and that can help you manage your sales channels, inventory, orders, and fulfillment processes in one centralized platform. Keep in mind the scalability of the solution you choose–you don't want to find yourself shopping for a new system in just a few years. Could this be the year to outsource to a 3PL, reducing the average time in transit and total shipping cost for your orders while adding the ability to scale order volume without the massive investment of a larger warehouse, more equipment, and bigger teams?
One last note: onboarding a new system takes time (which you won’t have during peak season). Now is the time to implement solutions that can help you be successful.
Summary
The success of peak season for ecommerce brands is dependent on careful planning and preparation, and while we realize it’s only April, it’s important to get ahead of the game and start planning now. Don't wait until the last minute to get ready for the busiest time of the year; start now and give your ecommerce brand the best chance for success, and be on the lookout for our Peak Season Playbook coming later this summer.
To learn more about Extensiv’s tech platform and how we can support your ecommerce operation, schedule a demo today.
