5 Things All Small Business Owners Should do before June to secure their Holiday Sales
Valentin Galkin
CEO
Holiday seasons are some of the most profitable times of the year for small businesses. According to National Retail Federation, sales between Thanksgiving and Christmas can increase by about 20%-30% of annual sales across different industries- and it’s a perfect time for businesses to maximize profits.
However, to capitalize on this, small business owners must start preparing early. With June being just a few months away from the holiday season, now is the perfect time to begin planning.
This article will explore the five things small business owners should do before June to secure their holiday sales.
5 Things Small Business Owners Need to Do to Secure Holiday Sales
Streamline Warehouse Operations
Efficient warehouse operations are essential for any small business that sells goods. Streamlining your warehouse operations can help you minimize labor costs, increase efficiency and reduce the risk of errors- all of which can lead to higher profits.
To streamline your warehouse operations, you should organize your inventory in a way that minimizes the time required for pick and pack operations. You can also optimize your warehouse layout to minimize travel time- thereby increasing efficiency.
Additionally, you can automate some of your warehouse operations using warehouse management software, which will help you keep track of inventory levels, monitor product movement, and manage customer orders
Forecast Demand & Adjust Inventory
Forecasting demand is critical for any business, especially around the holiday season. The sales data from the previous years’ holiday season can help you predict what to expect this year. Advance order processing can help you plan your inventory levels correctly to avoid stockouts.
It is also essential to adjust inventory levels based on demand forecasts. If a product is predicted to sell out early, it’s vital to have enough quantities in-store and ready to ship when the orders start coming. This will help you make the most of the holiday season.
Prepare Shipping & Delivery Processes
Partnering with reliable shipping carriers before the holidays can help you minimize delivery time and costs. You should choose a carrier that can handle your volume and meet delivery schedules. Evaluate the shipping carrier’s reliability, delivery times, and costs before you make a choice.
Implementing tracking systems, notifying customers of shipping status, and using automated updates will also enhance your shipping process and reduce the incidence of missing or delayed shipments.
However, it is important to develop contingency plans for unexpected delays in delivery times- such as unfavorable weather conditions or labor strikes.
Focus on Order Fulfillment Efficiency
Efficient order fulfillment is critical to a successful holiday season. With sales happening quickly, businesses need to automate processes- including order tracking, invoicing, and order fulfillment to make order fulfillment as efficient as possible.
As mentioned above, order tracking helps you notify your customers when an order is shipped and provides them with updates on when delivery is expected. Invoicing helps you keep accurate records of what products have been delivered and which ones are still in transit.
Automating order fulfillment processes also reduces the probability of mistakes happening, reduces processing time, and assists in the packing and shipping of goods accurately and efficiently. Quality control in packing and shipping can also be helpful to prevent returns and chargebacks and improves customer satisfaction.
Leverage Technology for Warehouse Optimization
In today’s digital age, there is no shortage of technology that can help optimize your warehouse operations. Investing in a warehouse management system can automate many of the tasks associated with running a warehouse- including inventory management, order tracking, and shipping.
Robotics and AI are also gaining popularity in warehouses, and their use can reduce the time, cost, and potential errors associated with human labor.
Moreover, implementing real-time inventory tracking and forecasting can help you make more informed business decisions, manage costs, and improve profit margins.
However, investing in these technologies and managing one’s own’s warehouse can be really challenging- especially for small businesses. To make this process simple and to avoid extra cost and hard work required, it is the best option to partner with a reliable 3PL warehouse, like FDR Warehouse.
FDR Warehouse in Stockton, CA- A Complete Warehouse & Logistics Solution for Small Business Owners
If you’re a small business owner looking for warehouse space and logistics solutions, FDR Warehouse can help. FDR Warehouse offers flexible and scalable solutions to meet your needs.
With long and short-term freight storage, cross-docking, dispatching, and local transportation, FDR ensures that your products are in safe hands.
With two facilities located in Stockton, CA, FDR provides easy access to Union Pacific and BNSF railways, I-5, Highway 99, and Highway 4, and the Port of Oakland and Port of Stockton. As a result, you can easily transport your goods anywhere in the USA.
We also have reliable security, with 24/7 surveillance of the facility and pest control measures for peace of mind. FDR’s 3PL services will help you achieve lower supply chain costs by reducing operating expenses and enhancing efficiency- ultimately increasing your profitability.
Call us at (209) 780-5042 or schedule a time on our calendar if you’re ready to make your sales up to 3X this holiday season.