Protecting Your Business and Customer Satisfaction

As the peak season approaches, excitement and anticipation fills the air for businesses and customers alike. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, it’s crucial to recognise and prepare for the potential risks that come hand in hand with this surge in demand. Acknowledging these risks and implementing contingency plans can mean the difference between a seamless peak season and one fraught with challenges. Let’s delve into some common risks and how to mitigate them effectively.

You can download our latest Guide to Peak Season here

1. Increased Errors:

The sheer volume of orders flooding in can strain your packing and shipping processes, leading to a higher likelihood of errors. Mistakes like incorrect labelling, missing items, or packaging mishaps can dent your customer’s trust and your business’s reputation.

Mitigation Strategy: Prioritise comprehensive staff training. Equip your team with the skills and knowledge to handle high volumes efficiently and accurately. Implement double-checking procedures to catch errors before they reach your customers. Look at packaging products that can reduce the risk of breakages during the packing procedure.

2. Delays in Transit:

A spike in orders can overwhelm shipping carriers, resulting in transit delays. External factors like weather conditions, traffic congestion, and limited capacity can compound these delays.

Mitigation Strategy: Set realistic delivery expectations with customers. Collaborate closely with shipping carriers to understand their capacity and limitations. Consider alternative shipping options to maintain prompt deliveries. 

3. Higher Risk of Damages:

More orders processed means an increased potential for damages during handling and transit. Fragile items require extra attention to ensure safe delivery.

Mitigation Strategy: Invest in quality packaging materials without compromising on sustainability. Train your packing team to handle delicate items with care and how to effectively package products whilst producing minimal packing waste. Conduct regular checks to ensure proper packaging procedures are followed.

4. Working in Small Spaces:

The influx of orders often leads to a cramped packing area, especially when temporary staff is hired or packages accumulate.

Mitigation Strategy: Optimise your packing area’s layout. Create designated work zones to prevent congestion. Streamline processes to maximise space utilisation and minimise chaos. Many innovations have been created specifically for peak season, such as foldable packing benches, paper bubble wrap integrated underneath packing benches and fast-paced void-fill dispensers. 

5. Increased Waste Management Costs:

A higher volume of orders means more waste to manage. Failure to plan for this can lead to unexpected costs impacting your bottom line.

Mitigation Strategy: Implement efficient waste management practices. Consider recycling or reusing packaging materials when possible. Factor in waste management costs while setting product prices. Use paper packaging solutions that provide minimal waste to lower waste management costs.

6. Customer Service Challenges:

A surge in sales naturally leads to increased customer inquiries and potential complaints. Failing to manage these effectively can erode customer satisfaction.

Mitigation Strategy: Bolster your customer service team. Provide them with the resources and training needed to handle higher volumes of inquiries promptly and professionally. Utilise automation tools for streamlined responses.

7. Employee Dissatisfaction:

Limited space in a crowded packing area and heightened stress levels can lead to employee discomfort and dissatisfaction.

Mitigation Strategy: Prioritise employee well-being. Create a comfortable and organised workspace. Offer incentives and recognition for exceptional performance during peak season.

8. Quality Control Issues:

Higher order volumes can compromise quality control, particularly in industries like cosmetics and food, where contamination risks are significant.

Mitigation Strategy: Implement rigorous quality control protocols. Conduct regular checks to ensure products are free from contamination. Maintain a clear separation between packaging materials and products in sensitive industries.

9. Damaging your Brand:

An influx in orders can create a panic and rush when packing orders often overpacking or under packing products. Either of these, businesses will see a negative customer response, especially when overusing unsustainable packaging such as plastic bubble wrap or air cushions.

Mitigation Strategy: A simple solution for this, is to implement sustainable packaging materials that can improve overall packing efficiencies. The speed of packing is vital in peak season. Solutions such as HexaFil, Protega Paper or Hexcel Wrap can greatly improve efficiency and maintain true sustainability. 

Preparation is Key

Peak seasons offer businesses a chance to shine and maximise profits, but it’s essential to navigate the potential pitfalls effectively. By recognising the risks associated with peak season – such as increased errors, transit delays, damages, limited space, waste management costs, customer service challenges, employee dissatisfaction, and quality control issues – you’re better equipped to implement robust mitigation strategies. 

With careful planning, proactive measures, and a dedicated team, you can transform potential challenges into opportunities for growth and customer delight, ensuring a successful and smooth peak season for your business.

Get in touch with us here to arrange a Free Peak Season packaging and packing area review. Our team are highly experienced at improving packing efficiencies and have worked with the UK’s largest retailers to improve peak season performance.