Lock in capacity early and stabilise operations before volumes spike.
Peak season success is built in September, not November. Begin by forecasting lane volumes at a weekly resolution and discuss them with carriers early, including tolerance bands. Secure contingency capacity for critical routes and set expectations on dwell times at both shipping and receiving. In the warehouse, align labour plans to expected order cut‑offs, pre‑build promotional bundles where possible, and review packaging to avoid carrier surcharges. Check scanners, printers and label templates ahead of time. At the customer level, communicate final order dates and service guarantees clearly; fewer surprises mean fewer WISMO contacts. On the transport side, lock collection windows, agree escalation contacts, and establish an out‑of‑hours line for urgent issues. After launch, run daily stand‑ups to review the previous day’s performance and unblock problems quickly. With disciplined preparation and tight communication, peak becomes manageable and customers feel the benefit.