For 3PLs, preparing for the holiday rush means getting ahead of potential disasters

Online retailers are in the season of preparing for the shopping frenzy that takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, which means establishing a plan along the supply chain that is designed to meet increased demand. After all, their reputation is at stake. There could be nothing worse for reputation management than assuring on-time delivery that doesn’t arrive on the designated date. The holiday seasons revolves around the calendar, so retailers who make mistakes during these two months are at risk of tarnishing their reputation for the rest of the year.

This is where 3PLs come in. Strengthening relationships with carriers, and creating a strategy with them, can help keep shipments moving without unexpected disruptions. Here are a few ways to ensure a successful holiday season for your customers:

Hire seasonal workers early

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the week before Christmas — These are some of the most frantic shopping times of the year. Which means warehouses and distribution centers need to increase their skilled labor to fulfill orders. Recruiting should take place early so temporary laborers can be trained to pick, pack, and ship products via a variety of carriers and not make any costly mistakes.

Prepare early

Long before those holiday orders start rolling in, your team should assess both your warehouse capacity and supply chain to make any adjustments needed to better manage the year-end rush. Ensure existing inventory is stored in the right location and that available space is ready for new arrivals. If that isn’t the case, scout additional facilities now for temporary storage so your outbound flow is not interrupted. Check your equipment and supplies — For example, do your scanners have enough batteries and holsters? Do everything you can to avoid unnecessary surprises during such a critical time of the year.

Strategize early

Preparing for the holidays is much different than managing your day-to-day operations. For example, strategy sessions need to determine how much warehouse space is required over the seasons and when inventory can arrive to fulfill demand according to your customers’ sales forecasts and special promotions. Establish alternative scenarios if there are disruptions in the supply chain or production delays. Bring in your transport suppliers to establish ways to consolidate freight and to increase capacity when space is tight.

What do you do to prepare each holiday season? Give us your tips in the comments below. Visit argosoftware.com or call us at (888) 253-5353 to set up a demo or learn more about our suite of products for Logistics Service Providers (3PLS and Transporters).

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should 3PLs start hiring seasonal workers for holiday preparation?

3PLs should begin recruiting seasonal workers well before Black Friday and Cyber Monday to allow adequate training time. Early hiring ensures temporary laborers can be properly trained on picking, packing, and shipping procedures across multiple carriers. This prevents costly mistakes during peak shopping periods when warehouse operations are most critical.

What equipment checks should warehouses perform before the holiday rush?

Warehouses should conduct comprehensive equipment audits including scanner functionality, battery supplies, and holster availability. Check all picking equipment, packing stations, and shipping tools for proper operation. Verify backup equipment is available and ensure maintenance schedules won’t conflict with peak operations to avoid unexpected downtime during critical periods.

How can 3PLs handle warehouse capacity shortages during peak season?

3PLs should scout additional temporary storage facilities early in the planning process to supplement existing warehouse space. Assess current capacity against projected demand and secure overflow locations before peak season begins. This ensures outbound flow continues uninterrupted even when primary facilities reach maximum capacity during holiday shopping periods.

What role do transport suppliers play in holiday logistics planning?

Transport suppliers are crucial partners in developing freight consolidation strategies and increasing capacity during tight shipping periods. Early collaboration helps establish alternative routing options and backup plans for potential disruptions. Working closely with carriers ensures adequate shipping capacity is available when order volumes spike during peak shopping seasons.

Why is developing alternative scenarios important for holiday logistics planning?

Alternative scenarios prepare 3PLs for supply chain disruptions, production delays, or unexpected demand fluctuations during the critical holiday period. These contingency plans ensure operations can continue smoothly even when primary strategies face challenges. Having backup plans protects customer relationships and maintains on-time delivery commitments when reputation is most at stake.