Planning for peak holiday seasons is still an all-consuming task for major e-commerce shippers. While disruptions have eased compared to the pandemic years, challenges remain. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the days that follow will test your supply chain. The question is: are you prepared?
As you read through this post, consider how your organization can strengthen its parcel shipping strategy for greater success.
Why peak season planning is still critical
We all know the drivers:
- Continued growth in e-commerce volume
- Carrier focus on profitability and premium services
- Persistent labor shortages and cost pressures
If you’re fulfilling B2C or B2B orders, your logistics teams and providers should already be engaged in conversations about capacity, cost, and contingency plans.
Key questions to ask for 2025 peak season readiness
How resilient are your parcel shipping and delivery processes?
Resiliency means absorbing disruptions and pivoting quickly. Having multiple carrier options and the ability to compare services side by side is essential. Advanced parcel solutions now offer prescriptive recommendations and learned behaviors to optimize every shipment.
Will carrier capacity constraints impact on-time delivery?
Major carriers still throttle volumes during peak periods. Their contracts often allow flexibility that favors their network stability—not your timelines. With carriers prioritizing profitability, do you have backup plans in place?
Have you expanded your carrier network?
Diversifying your carrier network reduces risk. Regional carriers, same-day networks, and LTL for zone-skipping can help you maintain service levels and control costs.
Do you understand peak surcharges and fees?
Rates continue to rise. Beyond general increases, discretionary handling fees and extended peak surcharges can push costs up 8% or more. Budgeting for variability is critical.
Are you using tools for visibility and exception management?
Customer expectations are higher than ever. Visibility tools that empower customer service teams—and consumers—are no longer optional. Proactive exception management improves satisfaction and reduces “where’s my package?” calls.
Are your analytics driving smarter decisions?
Historical dashboards are good, but prescriptive analytics are better. Advanced tools identify patterns, optimize carrier selection, and recommend cost-saving alternatives without sacrificing delivery performance.
Post-peak: Is your audit process automated?
Carrier invoices are complex and often inaccurate. Manual reviews waste time and money. Automated audit processes integrated with accounts payable systems can save 10% or more on freight spend.
Are you ready for peak this year—and next?
Your goals should include:
- Minimizing disruptions across the shipment lifecycle
- Expanding carrier relationships for flexibility
- Leveraging technology for cost and performance optimization
- Turning data into actionable insights
Take peak readiness to the next level with e2open Global Parcel
According to Gartner, “the rise in e-commerce has changed consumer buying behavior. Because of these increasing sales, retail companies should seek a complete supply chain solution.”
E2open Global Parcel sets every shipment up for success—whether across town or across borders. Integrated with e2open’s transportation, global trade, and supply chain management applications, Global Parcel connects to external systems for seamless execution. It’s the only parcel solution tied to an end-to-end supply chain platform.
Learn more: https://www.e2open.com/logistics-global-parcel
