Holiday Business Shipping Success

Every carrier will publish last-day-to-ship deadlines for guaranteed delivery. Plan for those, and build in buffer time for internal processing. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll miss cut-offs, pay more, or deliver late.

Yes, Shipping costs often rise during the peak season due to higher demand, extra surcharges, and capacity constraints. Some carriers add “peak season” surcharges. Budget for higher rates and negotiate early.

You’ll need dual logistics strategies. Parcel shipping needs tracking, fast turnarounds, and consumer-style service. Freight needs scheduling, dock readiness, batch moves. Both must align so you don’t manage two chaotic operations separately.

Plan all the way through: correct addresses, verified carrier pickups, up-to-date tracking, proactive communication. Also, have backup carriers or contingency plans in case your main carrier hits capacity issues.

Set a minimum order value, use standard (not expedited) service for free shipping, or restrict free shipping to certain product categories. Bundle items and optimize packaging to reduce cost per order so you can absorb shipping cost more easily.

Very important, good packaging protects goods, reduces damage/returns, controls shipping cost (by avoiding oversized or inefficient pallets/boxes) and presents your brand well during the busy season.

Data matters more than ever: past shipping volumes, peak carry-forward orders, customer behavior, and carrier performance history—all should inform your plan. Data lets you forecast better, adjust quicker, and respond smarter.

Risks include carrier capacity shortages, weather disruption, unplanned surcharges, staffing shortages, returns overflow. Mitigate by early planning, diversified carriers, buffer stock, scalable fulfillment, and clear customer expectations.

Yes, you’ll likely need extra staff, extended shifts, more packing stations, and possibly additional temporary help. Also, ensure your warehouse process is streamlined for high throughput and minimal errors.

Define success metrics ahead of time: on-time delivery rate, shipping cost per order, customer return rate, customer satisfaction/complaints. After the season, review your performance vs those goals and plan improvements for next year.

Focus on service, speed, and communication. While large retailers rely on scale, small and midsize businesses can win through flexibility — faster responses, personalized service, and transparent shipping updates. Partnering with a freight broker like FreightCenter also levels the playing field by giving you access to the same national carrier network and discounted rates that big shippers use.

Use tiered shipping options. Offer customers choices — economy, standard, and expedited — with clear delivery timelines and costs for each. Encourage early shopping by promoting cutoff dates for standard shipping, which helps you avoid expensive last-minute express rates. Internally, review which routes or products truly require fast delivery and ship the rest more economically.

Start training early. Review your shipping software, warehouse processes, and carrier guidelines with your team before volumes spike. Cross-train employees so they can step into multiple roles when the rush hits. Creating a written “holiday shipping playbook” with cutoff dates, carrier contacts, and escalation steps helps everyone stay aligned under pressure.

Damage prevention begins with smart packaging and reliable carriers. Reinforce heavy boxes, cushion fragile items properly, and avoid leaving empty space inside cartons. Label clearly and ensure pallets are wrapped tightly for freight shipments. Work with carriers who track and handle goods carefully, and consider adding shipping insurance for high-value or irreplaceable items during peak season.

Absolutely! Call us at (800) 716-7608 or use our quote tool—we’ll guide you through it every step of the way.