HOLIDAY PEAK
FULFILLMENT GUIDE

The ultimate resource hub for retailers and merchants planning toward a successful holiday peak season in 2023

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Planning for Peak in 2023

We’ve simplified your 2023 holiday sales and fulfillment strategy with quick tips and in-depth guides from Ware2Go’s team of supply chain and fulfillment experts. This holiday season presents a unique set of supply chain challenges, but we’re here to arm you with the tools you need to make this holiday season a profitable one.

Tips to Optimize Peak Fulfillment

Today’s consumers expect a personalized shopping experience, all the way down to shipping and delivery options. Offer 1-2 day shipping, scheduled delivery, and in-store pickup options for a competitive edge.

Not all sales channels are created equal. Make sure you have the flexibility to easily move inventory between sales channels to balance sales velocity with profitability.

To ensure the best rates and highest service levels from your warehouse partners, communicate your demand forecast early and often so they can schedule labor appropriately.


Sharing sales and promotional schedules with your fulfillment partners will help them prepare for spikes in order volume.

2023 Peak Season Prep Report

Are you prepared for the new normal of holiday shopping? Download our 2023 Peak Season Prep report and learn how brands like yours are adjusting demand forecasting to meet sales volume without diminishing margins.

2023 Peak Study Graphic

ESSENTIAL RESOURCES
2023 PEAK PLANNING

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Frequently Asked Questions

Peak shipping season is a result of the holiday shopping season. Peak season has always been a major seasonal sales driver for most merchants, but since the recent ecommerce boom, peak fulfillment and shipping have been a top concern for merchants looking to acquire new customers during the holiday season.
Peak shipping season begins at different times for all merchants, but according to Ware2Go’s merchant survey data, 30% of merchants began to see peak season sales as early as September this year. Peak shipping season ends after holiday returns have been made — typically by late January or early February. For ecommerce holiday sales, merchants should expect return rates of up to 40%.
To prepare for peak season, merchants should order inventory according to their demand forecasting models and supplier lead times, determine their marketing budget and build an advertising plan accordingly, and strategically position their inventory to achieve the best possible shipping speeds without sacrificing margins. (For more detailed tips, download our peak planning resource guide.)
Outsourcing peak shipping season to a 4PL or on-demand fulfillment partner is a great way to quickly scale up fulfillment operations to meet seasonal spikes in demand. In a 2020 survey, 44% of merchants indicated that outsourcing fulfillment simplified their operations. Additionally, outsourcing peak shipping can help SMB’s overcome the challenge of peak season carrier pickup caps.