PostNL

GLS

DHL

UPS

TNT/Fedex

DPD

Tips

1. Double-check special holiday opening hours

Before giving customers an ETA for their delivery, make sure you’ve checked holiday opening hours across your relevant markets. Will your carrier be operating? Will the PUDO the customer selected be open? Also, make sure to check the opening hours of your fulfilment operation and incorporate extended pick-and-pack times into the predicted delivery date. If your business closes (early), don’t forget to cancel your scheduled appointments.

2. Clear communication

Let your customers know that they should place their orders on time so that they are sure to arrive on time. Most e-commerce customers (79%) feel it’s important to receive information regarding the progress of their deliveries. Don’t let miscommunication or a lack of transparency lead to a poor customer experience.

3. Combine a carrier mix

Choosing multiple carriers to fulfil orders during busy periods means your parcels are less likely to be impacted by delay or disruption. If one of your carriers can’t fulfil an order in a way that meets customer expectations, perhaps another can. Select specialized carriers for specific volumes and weight combinations to avoid high rates.

Consider adding same-day and express carriers to reduce the risks of delays during peak times.

Another option is to contact your carrier to request additional pick-up capacity, such as transitioning from a van to a trailer or a stationary trailer with multiple pick-ups throughout the day.

The solutions department can help inject directly into carrier hubs in countries abroad to avoid local delays.

4. Monitor delivery data in real-time

Wuunder Parcel Radar

November and December are the busiest months of the year in the parcel world. Wuunder’s Parcel Radar shows delays per week from 1 November to 24 December in the Netherlands. If you want to stay up to date on the parcel rush and gain insights in real-time during the peak season in 2024, subscribe here. This way, you can continue to provide the best service to your customers.

Paazl Data Dashboards

Paazl customers have access to data dashboards to stay on top of their shipping performance during Peak Season. They can track and analyze valuable data such as Shipping Volumes, Shipment Tracking and Carrier Performance (see example below). These insights can help customers adjust their delivery strategy during peak season.

5. Add out-of-home delivery to your delivery options

Out-of-home delivery is becoming increasingly popular with consumers, largely due to a delivery success rate of around 99%. During peak season, expect customers to want a variety of delivery options. Adding out-of-home delivery locations, whether smart parcel lockers or Pick-Up and Drop-Off (PUDO) Points, is a good idea for facilitating demand during peak season.

6. Extend your delivery dates

Not all customers need same-day or even next-day delivery. In fact, research from the UK has found that the average shopper is willing to wait as long as 6.7 days to receive their order. It’s about a good delivery experience, not necessarily the fastest one. During peak season, look to ease the delivery burden a little by offering customers a slower delivery option, perhaps at a more affordable price.

7. Customer service

This is another area that may come under strain during peak season. You should expect more inquiries during this time as the orders start piling up. Prepare backup communication about potential delays and incorporate it into your communication flow. Like that, you prevent customers from contacting your customer service department.
You may want to increase the number of customer service agents you use and, at the very least, ensure they are knowledgeable about promotions, delivery times, and anything that may have changed recently due to peak season. If you’re looking to proactively track and monitor shipments during peak season, Wuunder might have the right solution for you. Click here to read more.

Download our whitepaper: Prepare for peak season delivery