The Ultimate Peak Season Checklist for E-Commerce Operation Managers

E-commerce is not slowing down in Europe. According to the 2023 European E-Commerce Report, the turnover of B2C online retailers in Europe increased by almost 6% in 2022 compared to 2021. In 2023, the growth rate expectation is set to 8%. With more sales comes an increased volume of shipments, setting a higher standard of warehouse and logistics management. Considering the expectations of customers regarding fast shipping and a pleasant unboxing experience, it is important to make sure all bits and pieces in the complex logistics cycle are set up properly. Here is your checklist: 

Check Machinery 

Automation plays an integral part in times of high order volumes. Checking on the machinery is necessary, especially prior to the peak season. Some of the most important things to consider are checking the last maintenance data and noting any potential problems. Some issues may arise with higher outputs, so take time to thoroughly visually inspect if the machine is performing all the required functions.  

Update Machinery and Consumables Inventory  

When you know your team will be pumping orders out the door rapidly, you need to make sure that you have all machines, systems, and consumables available. For example, your conveyor system could endure various wear and tear type situations, so it might be good to check the spare conveyor belts, rollers, sensors, drives and related accessories. Further on, the packaging area needs to be set up properly and correspond with the ergonomic standards. Will there be a need for extra packing stations with more packing machines? Do you have enough consumables – carton boxes to mailing bags, in-the-box protection, and other materials?  

Pregis can support you during a time of increased need for both machines and consumables – whether you need to highlight sustainability commitment with our AirSpeed® MINI PAK'R® V3 machine compatible with the sustainable Renew and Renew Zero films or want to increase output with the Sharp® automated poly bagging systems. 

Ensure Your Stock is Ready 

Load your stock prior to the peak season and plan with your suppliers in case of unexpected situations. Collaborate with your order management and data teams to forecast depending on previous years’ sales. You could monitor trends and reports for your industry to know what to expect in terms of volume orders. Make sure the items are in stock, and in case they go out and the demand is still high, have a quick action plan to load the stock as well as communicate to your customers that there might be potential shipping delays. 

Optimise for Safety and Ergonomics 

Higher order volumes mean more attention to packer ergonomics and safety. Increased throughput means more people moving around. Make sure that each packing station is well equipped with packing materials and that the setup supports the ergonomic handling of the packing machines. 

Pregis’ innovative Integrated Systems team can help you assess your layout situation and provide solutions in terms of ducting systems, thereby lowering your costs and reducing noise. This is due to the unique set-up of an air ducting system, where one machine can supply several packing stations. We can make customised solutions for your needs – contact us here. 

Have Enough Supporting Staff 

As busier operations mean more people, it is important to think about staff shortages and potential output consequences. Consider hiring extra contractors, part-time workers, or students to help handle the increased need for picking, sorting, and packing. Offer incentives to existing employees to encourage them in case of having to work extra hours. Each team member needs to be properly trained, aware of safety instructions and know their tasks.  

Keep Your Online Sales Platform Stabile 

You probably experienced this yourself as a consumer – websites being down or lagging due to high traffic caused by Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Update your website and resolve bugs while leaving enough time for testing before the peak season. Be prepared and have your IT team on standby. Also, make sure your order management systems are updated and that your whole supply chain is well integrated in all its parts. 

Ideally, you would start planning early on, using existing data and noted insights from previous years’ peak seasons. Still, always count on a surprise element. Have your maintenance team ready in case of problems in any part of the system. And always put safety first – your employees should have equal importance as your customers. 

We can help you stay prepared for the busiest E-Commerce season of the year – contact us today!