When Christmas rhymes with logistics: the keys to a oustandingseason!

Christmas is the most festive time of the year, but it’s also one of the busiest for logistics professionals, after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. As soon as the temperature drops and those who didn’t take advantage of Black Friday start to think about the presents they’re going to make, behind the scenes the players in the logistics chain are engaged in a second race against the clock to get millions of gifts out on time, whatever they are: toys, high-tech equipment, Christmas gift sets or clothes. During this season, e-commerce orders often increase by 40% to 50% compared with the other months of the year, with daily flows of more than 4 million packages. Between exceptional levels, record sales, tight deadlines, quality of service and reverse logistics, this season highlights some crucial challenges!

1. Strict organisation for toy logistics!

LEGO®, Playmobil®, Barbie dolls, cuddly toys, puzzles or even remote-controlled cars: at Christmas, toys are the uncontested stars of the orders, generating massive volumes and enormous logistics challenges! To attract consumers to these products, point-of-sale advertising (POS) and catalogues in letterboxes remain essential levers. In-store POS advertising can be used to highlight flagship toys and guide customers towards targeted choices. This represents a major investment, the success of which depends on logistics, which must guarantee perfect coordination between in-store stocks and those available online. 

To manage these massive flows, while meeting consumer expectations, logistics platforms use warehouse management systems (WMS), which optimise stock supervision and rigorous order tracking. This is a crucial tool for brands and logistics service companies like PMO Log, which works with our IzyPro WMS, which we have coupled with ventilation units equipped with the Pick to Light System solution. This means that the teams in place and the many temporary staff employed to absorb these surges in activity can be guided through the order preparation process and work serenely despite the particularly intense activity. As essential support, IzyPro provides real-time visibility of stocks and optimises flows in a fluid, responsive way. Thanks to these well-honed technologies and processes, logistics players are able to respond to massive demand, while guaranteeing efficient, error-free deliveries.

2. Copacking and unboxing or the art of Christmas gift packages!

Gift boxes, particularly in the cosmetics and perfume sector, are often the ideal Christmas present. Preparing these boxes requires precise copacking processes, involving the assembly and packaging of various products in a single container. More than a simple logistical step, it’s about creating a memorable and personalised unboxing experience. Meticulous assembly, coupled with strict quality control, guarantees boxes with a high perceived quality, essential for meeting consumer expectations during the festive season.

3. The logistics challenge of high-tech articles

Mobiles, tablets, connected watches, games consoles and drones – electronic products are some of the most popular gifts at Christmas, but also some of the most challenging in terms of logistics. These products, which are often fragile and expensive, require secure storage and transport solutions, with particular attention given to the risks of loss or theft, which are amplified during this period of high demand. To meet these challenges, traceability is essential. And given the volumes involved, using a WMS coupled with an automation solution guarantees optimised stock management, less error and greater productivity.

4. Reverse logistics: a crucial challenge after the festive season

After the festive season, the number of product returns explodes, posing a major logistical challenge. Returned items need to be quickly put back into stock so that they can be reconditioned and resold. Efficient reverse logistics are indispensable for absorbing this wave of returns. Once again, the WMS plays a central role in simplifying the management of the reverse logistics, tracking each item and quickly returning products in good condition to stock. This optimisation improves the customer experience and limits business losses. By anticipating and structuring this reverse logistics, supply chain players can guarantee a quality service even after the festive season is over.

Turning the challenges of Christmas into opportunities for your logistics!

Christmas is a time when logistics challenges multiply at every step of the supply chain. The volume of flows, product safety, stock coordination and returns logistics are essential to the success of this major peak in activity, which accounts for a large percentage of the turnover of many retailers. Good upstream planning, impeccable organisation of your warehouse and a warehouse management system (WMS) adapted to your needs can make all the difference and provide an efficient, innovative response, enabling companies to live up to customer expectations. By adapting to the demands of Christmas, supply chain players can turn this period of high demand into an opportunity to demonstrate their efficiency and operational reliability. In this way, Christmas logistics becomes a real strategic lever for boosting customer trust and satisfaction.