Logistics Refresher: Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Logistics Refresher: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In spite of the supply chain and economic impacts the pandemic has had on everyone this year, this holiday season is anticipated to be another busy one – but with a difference. If you’ve already begun making the necessary preparations for the shipping season ahead, well done. Keep it up. If you haven’t, the time to act is now. We’ve put together a Black Friday and Cyber Monday Logistics refresher to make sure you cover all your bases and get your shipping strategy ready for a successful holiday season.
Some Black Friday and Cyber Monday Logistics Refresher Tips
As a business owner, your main goal is customer satisfaction. And with more consumers buying online and shipping this holiday season, you want to be sure you are ready for the product demand, shipping needs and the overall happiness of your customers. We’ve discussed preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shipping before, but here are the top tips to keep in mind this year.
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Get a handle on inventory and supplies. Use data from previous years to see what inventory and supplies you’ll need for shipping your freight. How much packaging materials will you need? And where will you go to get the amount you need? And raw materials, if you’re working with suppliers, what kind of shape are they in post-pandemic? Ask yourself these questions to ensure you have everything you need.
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Stay transparent. COVID-19 has impacted everyone and every business in some way. Transparent communication between you and your business partners, suppliers, and most importantly, your customers, will help everyone set proper expectations for the season ahead.
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Be ready for disruptions. Supply chain inefficiencies, extreme weather, anything can happen this time of year. How does your business and shipping plan look?
Return Policies and Reverse Logistics Matter
Black Friday and Cyber Monday logistics don’t end when your items ship to your customers. There is usually an uptick in parcel and freight cargo shipped from Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals towards the end of January. That’s because there’s a high volume of returns and exchanges that happen after holiday gifts have been opened. As a business owner operator, having a robust reverse logistics strategy combined with your business’s return policy is important. Consider these questions:
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How can you make the return shipping easy for you and your customers?
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Can you offer shipping deals on returned items?
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If items are not refundable, can you offer expedited shipping deals on exchanged items?
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How will you communicate your return or exchange policies with your customers?
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Is there a return or exchange cutoff date?
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Are you partnering with a 3PL to assist in your reverse logistics strategy?
Customers who have positive return or exchange experiences are more likely to do business with you again, so it’s important to make the returns process as easy as possible for you and your customers. In fact, 68% of customers state their return or exchange experience affects their view of the brand or store.
Holiday Shipping Resources for You
We’ve compiled a list of resources you can utilize to help you get ready for the busy holiday shipping season ahead. Access any one of the following blog articles or free downloadable guides for more information.
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Prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shipping Now
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How to Prepare Your Holiday Order Fulfillment Now
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5 Ways Weather Affects Your Freight Shipment
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What is Reverse Logistics?
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Benefits of Partnering with a 3PL
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Guide to Freight Packaging
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Holiday Business Shipping Success
Get a Logistics Refresher From FreightCenter
Remember, you don’t have to go it alone this holiday season. In fact, navigating the freight industry is no easy task. At FreightCenter we make it easier than ever for businesses like yours to get the most efficient and affordable shipping solutions anywhere. Don’t waste your time manually searching for rates, capacity or shipping assistance, instead quickly and easily compare 100+ shipping options at the click of a button.
Get started today with a free online quote or call 8007167608.
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