A Christmas without delays: how delivery companies prepare for high demand

The moment a customer receives a purchase at their home is when the true contact between company and consumer occurs. First impressions matter greatly; therefore, having a good delivery logistics process is essential for businesses of all sizes, and something to reinforce during major holidays, such as Christmas. 

Being one of the most important dates for commerce in the second semester, it's bound to be a busy and hectic day for those running promotions. Therefore, scheduling an efficient delivery logistics plan is crucial. 

To help merchants, the... JoyA startup, focused on the mobility and logistics markets, leverages its years of industry experience to offer five tips on how to implement smart delivery logistics, ensuring the best possible experience for buyers. 

1- Plan ahead

Consider past holidays. Gather sales data from those periods to get a sense of how the second Sunday in August might perform and how it could impact your business's logistics. Especially with Christmas in mind, you may need to hire more staff or improve your storage space to optimize it, among other factors to consider. Investing in this is worthwhile to ensure a high level of service.

2 – Attention to deadlines 

Have you ever waited for a package with a predicted arrival date and never received the product? I bet you wouldn't shop there again! That's why paying attention to delivery times greatly influences the customer experience and should be taken seriously, especially during busier periods. There's a high probability of more orders than usual being placed.

3 – Offer options

If possible, offer customers more than one delivery option, such as early delivery, pick-up points, or in-store pickup. By combining customer needs with product availability, this diversification is a great option for companies to offer consumers. 

4 – Delivery Route Planning

Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year, so many businesses are anticipating their deliveries. If your business makes deliveries on the same day as the purchase, be sure to plan your routes, considering neighborhoods near major avenues and charting alternative routes to avoid traffic lights and congestion zones. 

If possible, gather data on the regions that purchase the most from your business and use that information to your advantage in this planning.

5 – Let the customer know where their purchase is

Finally, but no less important, keeping your customers updated on product tracking information enhances their shopping experience. Therefore, whenever possible, be sure to inform them if the merchandise has already been shipped, is in transit, or has been delivered. 

When we make planned purchases, such as for holidays like Christmas where people are already eyeing a specific gift, it's common to build up expectations and get anxious to finally have the purchase in hand. Therefore, having a device that allows you to track your order is very powerful.