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As a veteran retail and e-commerce courier service, we're no strangers to the retail industry's peak season. We've been around the block, learning how to best support retailers and e-commerce brands over the years to deliver on time, every time even when the pressure's on.
Whether we collect goods from a distribution hub and take them to a local depot, or whether we’re scheduled to directly service large retailers and businesses, we have been providing consistent quality service across all facets of retail. On occasion, Speedy Freight are booked to fill in for an existing courier-client relationship where the previous logistics team have been unable to fulfil their obligations, or to provide a supplementary service and deliver overlooked consignments - a particularly vital element during the trading peak of the festive season.
So, here are some top tips on how you and Speedy Freight can work together for your best retail peak season yet.
#1 - Tell Us About Your Forecasts
Let us know about your volume forecasts. We can then help you plan the right vehicle solutions, the right number of drivers, the types of delivery options you'll need - whether same day, next day or express - and identify which of our nationwide and international delivery hubs are best placed to help you meet demand.
#2 - Order Plenty of Stock
Stockouts and stock replenishment can be a nightmare during retail peak season, which is why having your inventory levels prepared in advance is vitally important. Speedy Freight is so much more than a courier service, we offer a wide range of freight services too.
Benefit from import and export services, warehousing, full truck load (FTL) solutions and more to ensure you have the stock you need to get you through peak season.
#3 - Plan Your Routes
During retail peak season, saving minutes and seconds counts. We can help to optimise your delivery routes to save you time and money. With a dedicated courier network across the UK, we can add real value to your retail supply chain by organising routes to ensure the shortest delivery times during peak season.
#4 - Partner With a Courier That Offers Full Transparency
Having to constantly chase your retail courier service for updates on deliveries, especially during peak season, can be frustrating and time consuming. There's no such issue when you partner with Speedy Freight for retail peak season. You can track every delivery at every moment. We don't leave you in the dark, and you can constantly update your customers on the status of their order.
We also provide detailed KPI reports to monitor logistics operations closely, ensuring that all deadlines are met, and giving you complete transparency at every stage of our service. You will always know what has been picked, packed, dispatched, and delivered.
#5 - Encourage Your Customers to Buy Earlier
Urge your customers to beat the rush of retail peak season and avoid delays by ordering early. Because we can offer same day, next day, and express delivery, these services are more readily available prior to peak season.
#6 - Choose A Courier That Understands the Retail Sector
Working with a courier that really understands the retail sector and the challenges that come with peak season is a bonus and takes the weight off your mind. Speedy Freight offers a complete end to end retail and e-commerce logistics solution, which is why we’re a trusted logistics partner for thousands of retail and e-commerce companies.
We require very little handholding and can come in and get the job done. Speedy Freight’s experienced, highly trained retail and e-commerce couriers can deliver ad hoc and bulk consignments up and down the UK and overseas. We help your retail or e-commerce business to meet your peak season order fulfilment quotas for added peace of mind.
#7 - Work With a Courier with Multiple Solutions
Having gone through all the effort of choosing a courier service you think ticks all the boxes, the last thing you want to hear is 'oh, we can't deliver that!' Trust us, it happens. You can go through the entire onboarding process with a courier service, only to find out at the last minute that they, for example, 'don't deliver abnormal loads'... eeek, what do you do?
Let's say you're a furniture retailer and you hear this for the first time when you come to book with your chosen courier service. It's important that you work with a courier that can provide the solutions you need, especially during peak season. Speedy Freight offers a range of specialist services and vehicles to ensure that you don't get caught out.
#8 - Pick A Courier with Dedicated Drivers and Vehicles
When you partner with Speedy Freight, drivers, and vehicles that you hire are exclusively yours. We don't co-load, we collect and deliver your consignments only.
Risking consignments by having to rely on couriers that co-load their vehicles is not a position retailers want to be in during the festive season, particularly in light of the ever-increasing delivery expectations that shoppers have. With standards set so high, opting for a courier that offers a dedicated service saves you time, money, and reduces mileage to lower your carbon footprint - a feature that more and more customers want to see.
#9 - Find A Courier Service With 24/7 Support
With more than 60 hubs, 4,000+ vehicles, thousands of dedicated couriers and a customer service team that works tirelessly, we're the courier service that never sleeps. In retail peak season, this works in your favour. Whatever, wherever, and whenever, we're ready for action at a moment's notice.
Most couriers are available in the run-up to Christmas but fall short of when you might really need them, like Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and over the New Year period when many retailers are readying for the next commercial year. At Speedy Freight, we are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Wherever you need us, be it your central store or depot, and whenever it may be—just get in touch with us to book our same day courier service and we’ll aim to be with you within one hour.
Even if you have your own delivery team, if you're down a driver because of illness or annual leave, we can provide driver cover. No job is too big or too small and we don't demand minimum volume or contract commitments. Whether it's one parcel or 1,000, you will get the same level of service. We're 100% flexible and agile.
#10 – Have a Back Up Plan
Having a backup logistics plan ahead of peak season is of paramount importance for retail businesses.
The period leading up to Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas period brings a surge in demand, increased customer expectations, and potential disruptions, such as adverse weather conditions or unexpected supply chain bottlenecks.
A well-prepared backup logistics plan ensures that a company can continue to meet customer demands and maintain operational efficiency even in the face of unforeseen challenges. It provides a safety net, allowing for quick adaptation and resource allocation to minimise disruptions and downtime.
Moreover, it can enhance your reputation by demonstrating reliability and commitment to customer satisfaction. In addition to offering full logistical support, Speedy Freight can be your back up logistics provider, and your go-to emergency courier
Benefit From Our Retail Courier Service Today
Be prepared for the retail peak season by partnering with us. Find your nearest branch now, and get in touch to book our dedicated retail courier services.
