Black Friday and Cyber Monday: A Logistics Refresher
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the busiest shipping times of the year for business owners. Here are some reminders about preparing for the holiday rush.
What Are Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and is considered the official start of the holiday season. Shoppers gather outside their favorite stores at night and rush inside once the doors open. Stores usually have special discounts on popular and trending items that are only available that day. It’s unclear when exactly Black Friday began, but it’s become retail’s busiest day of the year.
At least until 2005, when Cyber Monday made its debut. Starting on the Monday after Thanksgiving (three days after Thanksgiving), it was created in response to the rise of online retailing. Like Black Friday, Cyber Monday offers deals on many items, even lasting the rest of the week. However, you don’t have to go to an overcrowded store; you can order online and have them delivered to your home.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are important days for local and national retailers. Therefore, business owners must prepare their inventories and supplies for the holiday rush. Keep reading for some reminders to help you assemble your shipping strategy and keep your bases covered.
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Why Choose FreightCenter for your Holiday Shipping?
Logistics Expertise—FreightCenter’s team of knowledgeable and friendly agents is ready to help you ship your holiday gifts and stock. We’ve helped our customers get through the holiday season before and are well-prepared to tackle the rush again. No matter what you’re shipping, our agents can recommend shipping choices that guarantee your shipment’s safe arrival.
Customizable Shipping Options— Need a liftgate? No problem! Have a secret gift you need to ship? We got you! Our personalized, user-friendly quote tools make booking your shipment easy. We offer solutions tailored to your specific shipping needs. Leveraging our relationships with over 50+ specialized carriers, we offer competitive, affordable rates that give you many ways to get your shipment out on time in perfect condition.
Quality Customer Support— From initial inquiries to post-shipment concerns, FreightCenter has your back throughout the entire shipping process. We handle all aspects of logistics, including tracking, paperwork, and communication with carriers, so you can focus on your business while we manage your holiday shipment. Choose FreightCenter for holiday shipping services and experience peace of mind knowing your goods are in capable hands.
Some Tips for Navigating Black Friday and Cyber Monday
With high product demand during the holiday season, businesses and sellers must anticipate issues and manage risk to achieve customer satisfaction. Here are some tips to remember as you prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday:
- Start early: Being prepared is key to a successful holiday season. Start planning your strategy in advance. What are your sales goals for Black Friday/Cyber Monday? How are you going to improve your sales from last year? What kind of deals can you offer your customers that stand out against the competition? Assessing your objectives for the holiday season can keep you focused and prepared for the rush.
- Manage your inventory and supplies effectively: Analyze data from previous years to determine the inventory and supplies required for shipping your freight. Consider how much packaging materials you’ll need and where to source them. Additionally, assess the condition of raw materials if you work with suppliers. Evaluating these will help ensure that you have all the necessary resources.
- Be ready for disruptions: Supply chain inefficiencies and extreme weather are just some obstacles that could potentially prevent a successful Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Predict every possible snag your business may face and device backup plans. Create a list of alternative suppliers, freight carriers, and retail websites to provide options if something goes wrong.
- Stay transparent: Sometimes, you can’t achieve every business objective you set this holiday season. Be honest with yourself, your business partners, suppliers, and, most importantly, your customers. Set realistic goals and proper expectations for Black Friday and Cyber Monday so you don’t feel pressured to exceed what your business can do during the holidays.
A Note About Reverse Logistics for Returns and Exchanges
You might believe the hustle is finished once Black Friday and Cyber Monday are completed (and when the rest of the holiday season is done). But in this day and age, that’s a foolish thought. The uptick in parcel and freight shipping doesn’t settle until the end of January, mostly because of the high volume of returns and exchanges.
As a business owner-operator, having a robust logistics strategy combined with your business’s return policy is important. Consider these questions:
- How can you make return shipping easy for you and the customers?
- Can you offer shipping deals on returned items?
- If items are not refundable, can you offer expedited shipping deals on exchanged items?
- How will you communicate your return or exchange policies with your customers?
- Is there a return or exchange cutoff date?
These questions can help you formulate or improve your business’s return policy. Customers with a positive return or exchange experience are more likely to do business with you again. Make the return process as smooth as possible for you and the customer. Doing so will increase your brand’s reputation as a reliable, dependable business.
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Trust the experts at FreightCenter to give you the best prices and the most comprehensive options for all your LTL freight shipping needs.
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FreightCenter’s On Call For Your Holiday Shipping Needs
You don’t have to handle logistics alone during the holiday season. Navigating the freight industry can be challenging, but at FreightCenter, we simplify the process for businesses like yours. We provide efficient and cost-effective shipping solutions coupled with affordable, competitive rates. Instead of wasting time searching for freight carriers by yourself, you can quickly and easily compare your shipping options with just a click on our customizable quote tool.
Get started today with a free online quote or call (800) 716-7608.
Holiday Shipping Resources
Need some more help with preparing for the busy holiday shipping season? Access any one of our free blog articles or pages for additional information:
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shipping
- How to Prepare Your Holiday Order Fulfillment Now
- Weather Affects Your Freight Shipment in 5 Ways
- Reverse Logistics Holiday Tips
- Benefits of Partnering with a 3PL
- Guide to Freight Packaging
- Holiday Business Shipping Success
- Holiday Shipping Tips for Retailers
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shipping
Q. When should I start restocking my Black Friday and Cyber Monday inventory?
It will depend on what you’re selling or your business objectives. For non-perishable items, it can be as early as during the summer. Autumn is when most people begin preparing for the holidays, so consider shipping your items then or earlier to have everything ready before the holiday rush begins.
Q. Why must I figure out reverse logistics as well?
Customers always appreciate it when a business makes returning or exchanging an item uncomplicated. This is especially true during the holidays when there are so many other things the stress over. Comprehensive return policies benefit both the customer and the business, as they show a business’s flexibility and understanding of customer needs while presenting a positive image in the customer’s eyes.
Q. I need my holiday shipment to get here fast! How do I get it here on time?
You can add on expedited shipping for shipments that need to skip the long waiting periods typical of freight shipping. Your order takes priority, sent off with an express freight truck or by express air to arrive as soon as possible. FreightCenter offers a variety of options for expedited shipping that ensure your product arrives on time.
Q. What if I need to ship a surprise gift to someone without them knowing it’s coming?
If you’re sending someone a holiday present but don’t want them to know you sent it, or you’re a business shipping a brand-new, unannounced product to be released during the holidays, try blind shipping! Also known as discreet shipping, this is a service where your address and the product’s specifications are hidden from everyone else except you and the carrier. FreightCenter can help arrange these types of shipments, along with double-blind shipments that hide both the customer and the shipper from each other.
3 Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Black Friday & Cyber Monday Shipping
Over 25 Years of Service
Our award-winning team specializes in holiday shipping, ensuring your item arrives at its destination safely and risk-free. We’re partnered with a 50+ network of experienced carriers who will deliver your amp with quality care. You handle the packaging, we handle the rest.
Shipping Options for Tailored Solutions
Is your Christmas gifts fragile? No problem! Do you need a liftgate? We got you! FreightCenter’s user-friendly online booking allows you to customize your order so your holiday goods are well cared for at affordable rates you can’t find anywhere else.
Friendly Customer Support Team
FreightCenter’s professional team is on your side. We’ll guide you through every step in the shipping process, from initial quoting to post-shipment support. We prioritize customer satisfaction and ensure your needs are met 100%. Your holiday items are in good hands.
