Are You Ready for Peak Season?

The final stretch of 2024 has begun—a festive but also hectic period. This season often brings added logistics challenges and stress, which is the last thing you need right now.

Our wish for you is to keep full control of your warehouse—even during peak season. That’s why we’ve put together tips below to help you prepare your warehouse, so you can enjoy this time, too!

Prepare Your Warehouse for Peak Season

✓ Clear Instructions

Let your team know in advance what you expect from them and any extra things to keep an eye on. Are there (temporary) changes in the warehouse? Are packages being gift-wrapped? What’s the protocol if something goes wrong? Write down the instructions, discuss them together, and post them in the warehouse for everyone to refer back to.

✓ Assigning Roles

Set up a clear task division: who does what, and who can you turn to for help? The clearer and more specific each task is, the more independently people can work—especially those helping temporarily. Share the task breakdown with everyone, so the team knows they can rely on each other.

✓ Training Extra Help

Are marketing colleagues, family members, or friends coming to help? Explain how the warehouse operates beforehand and hang up a map in a central spot. It’s also helpful to mark locations clearly, like with A4 sheets, so they can quickly find their way around.

Will they be using Picqer? It’s a good idea to start with a test order, so they can jump in confidently. Don’t forget to share login details or set up accounts for these people in advance.

✓ Packing Station Check

Check each packing station. Is all hardware working properly? Are the tools in place? Do any devices need charging? Are label printer rolls stocked? Do you have enough paper and ink? Is there ample packing material, and can it be easily refilled? If needed, set up additional temporary packing stations to ensure everyone has enough workspace.

✓ Order Inventory on Time

Expect longer delivery times from suppliers than usual. Make sure to have enough stock on hand, including packaging materials.

✓ Sync Inventory in Picqer

During peak times, you’ll likely see more orders than usual. This makes it extra important to keep stock levels synced between your online store and Picqer. If you anticipate a rush, like with a flash sale, check here how to set up Picqer. Need assistance? Contact us anytime.

✓ Backup Shipping Provider

Shipping carriers are also extremely busy this time of year. Arrange a backup provider so you can ship with multiple carriers. Be mindful of any special shipping rates as well.

✓ Best Sellers Near Packing Stations

Reduce walking time for pickers by placing best sellers and discounted items near the packing stations. Don’t forget to update their locations in Picqer if you relocate them.

✓ Work Ahead

Prepare as many tasks as you can in advance, such as folding boxes or writing cards. If you expect high volume for a specific product, pre-pack a stock of that item in shipping boxes, so later, you just need to apply shipping labels. Tip: Bulk processing a singles batch in Picqer.

✓ Ensure Ample Walking Space

With more people in the warehouse than usual, keep pathways clear and ensure enough room for everyone to move around without getting in each other’s way.

✓ Spread Out Promotions

When you spread out promotions over several days, orders come in more gradually, allowing you to process them with ease and improving the chance of on-time delivery.

✓ Temporarily Adjust Customer Promises

If you can’t meet promises on your webshop, like “Order today, delivered tomorrow,” consider adjusting them temporarily or communicating this to customers. It helps avoid disappointments.

✓ Set Priorities

Some tasks can wait, like processing a return or an incoming order. Tackle these in bulk a few days later.

✓ “What if?” Scenarios

Prepare solutions for potential problems. What if the internet goes down? We have a 4G mobile router. What if the printer fails? The backup printer is here. What if a carrier has a delay? We can switch to another carrier. What if…? Solved!

✓ Keep the Warehouse Tidy

To work efficiently throughout the day, it’s essential to keep the warehouse clean and organized, including packing stations so that packages leave in good condition. Place waste bins and keep all cleaning supplies in one spot.

✓ Make It Fun Together!

A positive atmosphere during a busy season makes a big difference. Communicate well with each other, treat the team to a snack during lunch, play some music, and enjoy working together!

What Are Busy Days?

Below is a list of the 10 busiest days in Picqer from last year (2023) to give you an idea for the coming season.

1. Black Friday 11-24-2023
2. Cyber Monday 11-27-2023
3. Sunday after Black Friday 11-26-2023
4. Week before Christmas 12-18-2023
5. Week before Black Friday 11-20-2023
6. Day before Black Friday 11-23-2023
7. Two weeks before Christmas 12-11-2023
8. Saturday after Black Friday 11-25-2023
9. Week before Christmas 12-19-2023
10. Week before Black Friday 11-22-2023

You Can Count on Us!

Besides these tips, you can rely on us during the busy season:

• Before Black Friday, we double-check for any performance issues in Picqer.
• We don’t make major changes in Picqer that require adjustment.
• On busy days, we closely monitor our servers.
• Our Support Team is ready via email, for urgent matters, or visit our Help Center.