Peak season fulfilment presents both opportunities and challenges for supply chain leaders. While it can boost profitability and efficiency, inadequate planning and execution during peak periods can have a detrimental impact on a company’s success. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of effective peak season planning, discuss the key strategies for optimising warehouse management during peak periods, and outline nine critical best practices to manage seasonal demand successfully.
The Problem With Poor Peak Season Fulfilment Strategies
One common issue that hampers peak season fulfilment strategies is a focus on maintaining the status quo and relying on outdated systems. Outdated systems, including those implemented in recent years, can be considered obsolete if they fail to share data with other supply chain platforms. Neglecting the application of data and failing to consider the real impact of the upcoming peak season can lead to significant problems.
For example, inadequate data utilisation may result in over-ordering or under-ordering inventory, insufficient hiring of seasonal workers, difficulties in securing shipping capacity, and more. To avoid these challenges, it is crucial to adopt the right strategies that enhance optimization in warehouse management.
Achieving Balance in Warehouse Management:
To achieve balance in warehouse management during peak periods, three key strategies should be implemented in a closed circuit. These strategies include robust replenishment, maintaining employee productivity, and ensuring excellent customer service. Each strategy is interconnected, and any failures within the loop can cascade into other areas, leading to suboptimal performance.
To create an efficient and effective warehouse management system (WMS) during peak periods, it is essential to consider the entire operation and how changes may impact other processes. By focusing on end-to-end visibility and understanding the interdependencies within the warehouse, supply chain leaders can build a resilient and responsive system.
Best Practices in Building Peak Fulfilment Strategies
Let’s explore nine best practices that can significantly enhance peak season warehousing management:
Lean inventory is not optimal for peak season fulfilment: While lean inventory strategies are effective throughout the year, they may fall short during peak periods with increased demand. Maintaining higher inventory levels during these periods can help prevent stockouts and ensure customer satisfaction.
Operate warehouses around the clock: As the peak season progresses, fulfilment becomes more time-sensitive. Warehouses should run operations 24/7, ensuring adequate rest periods for evening and night workers. Providing amenities such as on-site cafeterias and food delivery can help support productivity.
Track delivery and delivery schedules: Even after shipments leave the warehouse, it is essential to track their progress and ensure timely delivery. Failing to monitor delivery schedules can lead to customer dissatisfaction.
Benchmark systems for maximum throughput: Benchmarking enables warehouse leaders to understand the capabilities and limitations of their systems in meeting peak volume demands. This knowledge helps in optimising processes and identifying areas for improvement.
Reslot peak season item areas: Adjusting the slotting of peak season items can improve performance and reduce delays as customers need to evolve throughout the season. Regularly assess and reorganise the warehouse layout to align with demand patterns.
Leverage omnichannel inventory: Utilise omnichannel inventory strategies that leverage brick-and-mortar stores to fulfil online orders. This approach helps increase efficiency by leveraging existing stock and reducing transportation costs.
Integrate systems: Integration of different supply chain systems, including WMS, ERP, and transportation management systems, enhances collaboration, streamlines operations, and reduces the risk of errors.
Diversify your supply chain: Working with multiple supply chain partners helps to distribute risk and ensures continuity during peak periods. Collaborate with reliable partners who can provide additional capacity and flexibility.
Tap into on-demand warehousing: On-demand warehousing solutions offer scalability without long-term contracts, allowing businesses to quickly adapt to peak demand fluctuations. Partnering with on-demand warehousing providers can provide additional storage and fulfilment capabilities.
Unify by Emiza’s Warehouse Management
Vast Network: Unify has a vast network of warehouses across cities, making supply chain management easier and improving delivery timelines.
Industry-leading Fulfilment Centres: With top-notch fulfilment centres, Unify can handle over 100,000 orders daily, supported by a dedicated team of 1,500+ members.
Scalability: Unify offers scalability with a network of 20+ fulfilment centres spanning 10+ cities, allowing businesses to expand their operations and reach a broader customer base.
Smart Inventory Forecasting: Unify utilises ML/AI for smart inventory forecasting and clustering, enabling businesses to accurately predict demand and allocate inventory efficiently.
Fast Lane Processing: Unify provides dedicated packing lines for “Unify” shipments, ensuring swift order processing and meeting cut-off times for faster dispatch.
Conclusion
Managing seasonal demand and optimising warehouse management during peak periods is vital for supply chain success. By implementing strategies such as robust replenishment, employee productivity, and excellent customer service, businesses can achieve peak fulfilment. Best practices like maintaining adequate inventory, running 24/7 operations, tracking deliveries, benchmarking systems, re-slotting peak areas, leveraging omnichannel inventory, integrating systems, diversifying the supply chain, and utilising on-demand warehousing can enhance performance.
Unify by Emiza offers comprehensive warehousing capabilities with a vast network of fulfilment centres, scalability, smart inventory forecasting using ML/AI, and dedicated packing lines for swift processing. Explore Unify’s warehousing capabilities at https://unify.emizainc.com/ to streamline your supply chain and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
