The holiday season may be months away, but as an e-commerce business owner, it’s never too early to start preparing. Right now, it might be 100°F outside and the only snowflakes you’re seeing are the ones on your ice cream cone, but believe it or not, in the e-commerce world, Christmas is just around the corner.
eMarketer predicts that US holiday retail ecommerce sales will set new records in 2024, reaching $271.58 billion — a 9.5% increase from 2023 — which means ecommerce is in for a busy season.
At ShipWizard, we specialize in 3PL services for e-commerce businesses, giving us a front-row seat into e-commerce operations throughout the year. There is nothing like holiday shopping for showcasing both the joy of soaring sales and the headache of handling logistics. Whether it’s beauty and wellness, pet supplies, apparel, or electronics, we’ve seen it all. As the holiday season approaches, here’s how you can prepare to make the most of this festive frenzy with confidence—and maybe even a bit of holiday cheer.
1. Plan Your Holiday Season Early with Your 3PL Partner
Preparation is key to a successful holiday season. This year, more consumers are expecting to start their holiday shopping well before November: more than half of people will begin holiday shopping in October or earlier (55%), more than a third will start in September or earlier (37%), and almost a quarter will start in August or earlier (23%). It may be sweltering outside, but the holiday shopping season is already sneaking up on us.
So, what can you do before the end of summer? Begin by analyzing your sales data from previous years to forecast demand. Identify your best-selling products and anticipate any potential spikes in orders. For example, if you sell nutraceuticals, track trends to see which supplements are most popular during the winter months. This will help you stock up on inventory accordingly.
2. Prep Inventory Now, Jingle All the Way to Profits Later
Professional inventory management will help you prevent stockouts and overstock situations. Use advanced inventory management systems to keep track of your stock levels in real-time, because nobody wants to be left guessing. At ShipWizard, our cutting-edge solutions integrate with your e-commerce platform, giving you accurate data and insights faster than you can say “holiday rush.”
For instance, if you sell seasonal clothing, make sure your virtual shelves are brimming with cozy sweaters and festive scarves. Keep a close eye on market trends and social media buzz to identify which seasonal clothing items are gaining popularity. Free tools like Google Trends can be a great place to start.
3. Level Up Your Holiday Fulfillment Game with 3PL Expertise
A streamlined fulfillment process is a must if you plan to handle increased order volume during the holiday season with ease. That’s where partnering with a reliable 3PL provider like ShipWizard can be your magic wand. Our fulfillment centers are strategically located on the East Coast and West Coast to ensure fast and efficient delivery, with 2 business day delivery to customers in most of the US.
Let’s use the example of small electronics, such as Bluetooth earbuds, smart home assistants, portable chargers, fitness trackers, wireless key finders, portable Bluetooth speakers, smartwatches, or VR headsets. These items are predicted to be some of the hottest 2024 holiday gifts. Electronics require careful handling, so that they arrive in perfect working condition, free from damage that can occur during shipping and storage. Our fulfillment centers are equipped with the latest technology and temperature control to ensure your products are stored, picked, packed, and shipped with precision.
4. Leverage Smart Labels for Returns Management
Returns are an inevitable part of e-commerce, especially during the holiday season. Ecommerce return rates can be 2x to 3x higher than brick and mortar stores. And if you are in the e-commerce business, you are probably seeing return rates at around 20-30%. Let’s face it, handling returns is a painstaking process, but it doesn’t have to be.
At ShipWizard, we don’t just handle returns; we turn them into a delightful experience. Picture this: a customer wants to return a stylish dog sweater that turned out to be a bit too snug for Fido. With ShipWizard’s returns management system, they can easily initiate returns online, print return labels, and track the status of their return without breaking a sweat.
As a website owner, you’ll benefit from reduced customer service workload, increased customer confidence and loyalty, and efficient inventory management, leading to a happier holiday season for everyone. Plus, we sort the returned merchandise to help maximize its useful life, so you get the most out of every product and reduce waste.
As you prepare for the holiday season, remember that ShipWizard is here to support you every step of the way. From managing your nutraceutical inventory to fulfilling dog apparel orders and handling returns for this year’s hottest gadgets, our expertise and technology-driven solutions are designed to meet your needs. Get ready to make this holiday season your best one yet!
Ready to sleigh this holiday season? Request a quote, or contact us today. Let’s make this holiday season a successful and stress-free one for your business!
