For many people, the winter holidays are a time to kick back and relax with friends and family. But for logistics and delivery experts, this time of year is busier than ever. If you run an e-commerce business, there are a few things you ought to know about holiday-related shipping issues.
Weather Delays
Weather delays will inevitably happen from time to time. While weather delays can be an issue year-round, they’re particularly problematic during the holiday season. Even a one-day delay can cause someone’s gift to be late, and the purchaser is apt to post negative reviews of the business because of the delay. You can proactively address this issue by establishing a cut-off date for holiday orders. Tell your customers that you can only guarantee a delivery in time for the holiday if the item is ordered by that date and time. Be sure to allow time for processing the order.
Item Returns
Every business needs to have a clear returns policy posted in a prominent area of the website. Your e-commerce business is likely to get more returns during and after the holiday season compared to other months of the year. And it can be tricky for people to return an item if they weren’t the original purchaser. During the holiday season, consider offering purchasers the option to get a gift receipt.
Inventory Space
Brick-and-mortar retailers and e-commerce store owners alike love the holiday season because of the uptick in shopping and impulse purchasing. But all that shopping may mean your store will run out of inventory. If you’ve been in business for a while, take a look back at your sales data for previous holiday seasons. This will help you anticipate demand this upcoming holiday season. If you need to order extra inventory, but don’t have the physical space to house it, consider looking into storage at a warehouse facility.
You can increase customer satisfaction by partnering with Xcel Delivery Services this holiday season. We offer fast, reliable shipping services for local and long-distance deliveries, as well as cross-docking services to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness. You can reach our friendly staff in Phoenix by calling (602) 368-1300.
