Checklist: Prepare your warehouse for the holiday season

The holiday season is a time of warmth and celebration, but also a busy period for online retailers. Shoppers are on the hunt for the perfect gifts, and the number of daily orders can reach a peak.

This surge in holiday orders brings logistical challenges, both for webshops and shipping carriers. Fortunately, you can prepare in advance to manage the rush. That’s why we’ve created a checklist to help you get ready.

Organize your warehouse

Processing a large number of orders in a short time is only possible with a well-organized warehouse. As the holiday rush can ramp up quickly, it’s wise to prepare your warehouse now.

Place bestsellers in accessible locations

Most webshops have popular products, also known as “bestsellers.” Since you’ll pick these items more frequently, it’s best to place them near the packing tables. During the holidays, other products might also become popular as gift items. Move those closer to the packing area as well to reduce walking time.

Schedule more pickers and set up extra packing tables

Chances are you’ll need more staff in the warehouse during the holidays. It might even make sense to set up additional packing stations. Now is the time to plan for this and make the necessary arrangements so you’re not caught off guard later.

Ensure there’s enough walking space

More people working in the warehouse means more foot traffic. Crowded aisles or blocked pathways create delays and stress. Keep pathways clear and provide ample walking space for smooth operations.

Adjust your processes

Things tend to operate differently during the holidays. By analyzing and adapting your processes, you can maintain a calm and productive environment.

Eliminate exceptions

To streamline order processing during peak times, consider temporarily skipping non-critical tasks. For example, pause return processing or certain purchase orders. Fewer concurrent processes help maintain clarity and focus. You can catch up after the rush subsides.

Diversify your shipping options

Shipping carriers are often overwhelmed during the holidays. Be sure you have the ability to ship with multiple carriers. If one reaches capacity, you’ll have a backup option. This can be managed through direct contracts or by using a shipping platform that offers multiple carrier options.

Encourage early purchases

Spreading out orders reduces the risk of delays. Promote early shopping by highlighting the benefits on your webshop, like avoiding stock shortages or ensuring timely delivery. You can also send out newsletters to existing customers with holiday reminders.

Focus on the customer experience

Even during the busy season, you want to offer a great customer experience. Planning ahead allows you to turn the holidays into an opportunity to impress.

Avoid promises you can’t keep

Webshops often make bold promises. During the holidays, you might not be able to deliver on all of them. For example, “order today, delivered tomorrow” may not be realistic with overburdened carriers.

Add a little something extra

Your webshop may have a festive design during the holidays. Why not extend that festive feel to the unboxing experience? A small gift or holiday-themed touch can delight your customers.

Prepare your team with “What if?” scenarios

When things get hectic, mistakes are more likely. Run “What if?” drills with your team to prepare for different scenarios. This builds confidence and calm responses when unexpected issues arise. Treat it like a fire drill to avoid chaos when something does go wrong.

• What if the internet goes down in the warehouse? We have a 4G backup.
• What if a printer fails? We have a spare ready.
• What if a carrier experiences issues? We can switch to another via our shipping platform.
• What if...

Use the checklist to prepare

The holiday season may be intense, but with the right preparation, you can maintain calm in your team and keep your customers happy by fulfilling your promises.

Use the checklist below to get ready for the holiday season: