The summer sales bring with them a series of challenges that retail companies and their logistics must overcome in order to achieve impeccable customer service. This is the only way to build customer loyalty and ensure the unstoppable growth of eCommerce.
The summer brings the long-awaited sales which, according to the Veepee's latest e-Commerce report59% of Spaniards say that their spending will be very similar to last year. On the other hand, 22% say they will invest more in the sales to take advantage of the discounts.
The data suggest that this will be a good summer season, which will help the recovery of the sector retail. In addition, it will further boost the logistics sector by online sales are consolidating as the main shopping channel to take advantage of summer discounts.
According to the Veepee study, 79% of Spaniards will shop online during the summer sales. A figure that represents a growth of 3 points compared to the previous year. This panorama brings with it a series of challenges for the logistics sector whenever these special dates approach.
The logistical challenges of the summer sales
Some of these challenges to overcome are as follows:
- Reverse logistics:
Many consumers buy on impulse, and product returns are becoming commonplace. In fact, despite the good figures for the sector, it is estimated that eShoppers return 1 in 3 products according to KPMG figures.
The rise of online commerce with the advent of the pandemic has meant that consumers have become accustomed to returning goods online. In other words, they are handled by the relevant courier company. This situation has led to an increase in logistical costs.
The challenge of these sales, is to find a balance between a customer-friendly exchange and return policyThe new system is both cost-effective and profitable for the retail sector.
- Climate effects:
During the summer period, the weather can become an enemy due to the high temperatures. The staff must work, despite the heat, to keep up with the demand for orders.
It is therefore important to ensure that workers (at all stages of the supply chain) carry out their working day in an airy and fresh environment. In addition, timely breaks can go a long way to ensuring that workers perform at their best for the rest of the day.
- Taking on heavy peak workloads during the holiday period
In order to be able to perfectly execute the huge number of orders that logistics has to deal with during the sales, it is necessary to plan as much as possible to respond efficiently to changes that are more or less expected.
For example, optimising the routes (out of the warehouse) or improving the picking (inside the warehouse), will help to ensure that logistics are able to cope with peak demand and the customer receives his purchase without errors or delays. At this time of year there may be fewer staff active due to the holidays, so optimising these keys can make a difference.
Improving order planning, therefore, will help to cope with the high demand that may arise in the summer sales season. For Better planned logistics will help to make peaks or changes as unexpected as possible.
Ultimately, despite the challenges facing the logistics sector, thanks to technological and service advances, it will be possible to achieve efficient, fast and competitively priced deliveries that build customer loyalty.
Even at a time as hectic as the summer sales, perfect logistics will be possible. A logistics partner can provide companies with integrated solutions adapted to each operation, helping them to overcome the challenges of the summer sales.
