If you own an online store, you are already used to the shopping frenzy around established holidays. Along with Black Friday and Christmas, Easter is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
With this list of “customs & traditions” that you should not overlook in the coming period, you can ensure and prepare your business for the shopping waves.
- Check the market
The global economy’s instability is a risk factor for any company that works with cross-border carriers and international suppliers. This may have an impact on the supply of certain goods in most cases. Among the most important topics to keep an eye on are inflation, stock market declines, and national-level events. What can you do? Communicate frequently with your e-fulfillment provider! Because it can provide you with valuable information about rising shipping rates or other logistical issues. In Europe, for example, Easter days off are not standard, but vary depending on the cultural and religious traditions of the countries. If such a gap is not addressed, it can have an impact on your operations.
- Thematically adapt the website
The global economy’s instability is a risk factor for any company that works with cross-border carriers and international suppliers. This may have an impact on the supply of certain goods in most cases. Among the most important topics to keep an eye on are inflation, stock market declines, and national-level events. What can you do? Communicate frequently with your e-fulfillment provider! Because it can provide you with valuable information about rising shipping rates or other logistical issues. In Europe, for example, Easter days off are not standard, but vary depending on the cultural and religious traditions of the countries. If such a gap is not addressed, it can have an impact on your operations.
- Make sure you have enough stock
Before beginning any campaign, it is essential to have a clear vision of how many products you want to market. The most important principle to remember when it comes to holiday sales is to have enough stock to cover any unexpected demand, but not so much that you are left with a significant amount at the end of the season. You should consult with your e-fulfillment partner in order to manage these volumes. It can advise you on which items should be kept in reserve and which can be managed in real time based on supply and demand. Because no company wants to fill its warehouse with seasonal bunnies that it may or may not be able to sell next year. Prepare a solution ahead of time in case sales do not reach the expected levels. Provide promotional packages that combine different products or adjust the price as the deadline approaches.
- Build customer loyalty
Customers especially appreciate the small gifts that come with their orders during the holidays. In general, they must spend a certain amount of money in order to receive the free products, but this is not a rule. You have the option of offering a themed article without informing customers. The surprise will be greater, and you will form a positive association with your brand. Thank you notes that are personalized with a specific theme are also appreciated. As a result, your company can distinguish itself from competitors with minimal financial and operational effort.
- Provide 360° support
Customer service is required all year, but during peak periods, you must pay special attention to this process. The contact information, FAQ section, and return policy should be easily accessible on the website. It is also recommended that you provide clear information about the estimated delivery interval so that you do not have to deal with a number of unwanted returns in the event of late deliveries. Check the delivery times of your goods with your suppliers and transport operators to avoid such situations. If you use an e-fulfillment partner, they will help you every step of the way, whether it’s negotiating cut-off terms, preparing and delivering orders, or managing returns. After completing each order, don’t forget to request an interaction rating. This allows you to streamline the delivery processes.
Conclusions
The holiday season is an excellent time to review your company’s operations. A high volume of goods, multiple international suppliers, tight cut-off deadlines, and returns management are just a few of the challenges that any owner must face. We recommend contacting a 3PL provider to focus more on creative and strategic directions and less on logistics. This kind of provider can provide emergency assistance as well as develop a customized operational solution for your company. An e-fulfillment provider, such as Simplify, can efficiently manage logistics processes during peak shopping seasons, ensuring that you always have happy and satisfied customers.