In this blog, we’ll provide actionable advice on preparing for peak season, the actions we take to get ready for peak throughout the year, and how partnering with Sensaria can help you succeed. From product optimization to forecasting, operations planning, quality assurance, and customer service, ensuring a successful peak season is easy by following our simple guide.
What is Peak Season?
Peak season refers to the time of year when consumer demand skyrockets, typically during the holiday period from late November through December. This is when businesses, especially in the print-on-demand market, experience a surge in orders, requiring careful planning and preparation to meet customer expectations.
Start Early: The Importance of Timely Planning
Understanding peak season and when it begins is the first step in effective preparation. With the holiday shopping window shrinking each year, it’s important to start your e-commerce holiday planning as early as possible. This involves forecasting demand to your account managers, planning promotions, and ensuring your inventory is ready to meet customer needs. At Sensaria, our dedicated AM support works with you to successfully navigate these crucial selling months.
Tip: Begin your marketing campaigns well before the holiday rush. Use historical data to anticipate order spikes and prepare your production schedules accordingly. For example, based on Sensaria’s data from the 2023 season orders typically increase by more than 200% during the week of 11/20 – 11/27, and this peak volume sustains until the week of 12/11. The earlier you start, the better positioned you’ll be to manage high volumes efficiently.
Optimize Your Product Offerings
Not all POD products are created equal when it comes to handling the demands of peak season. Focus on wall decor products that can be produced at scale and shipped quickly. At Sensaria, our core products include canvas prints, posters, and framed prints. These products are ideal for high-volume periods and can help you avoid bottlenecks in production. They are also produced across our network of facilities around the U.S. and world, which reduces transit times during the pivotal peak season shipping window.
Tip: Review your product line and identify which items are best suited for the holiday season. Prioritize those that are easy to scale and have a proven track record of selling well during e-commerce peak seasons. If you are a current customer of Sensaria, speak to your account manager about strategic product opportunities based on the unique needs of your business.
Enhance Communication and Customer Experience
Clear communication is crucial during peak seasons. Keep your customers informed about shipping deadlines, potential delays, and any special offers you’re running. The longer you can sell and still hit the 12/25 delivery date, the more money you make. In fact, some e-commerce sites see a 60%+ decline in sales after the holiday cutoff, making it essential to maximize your sales window.
Tip: Set up automated emails to notify customers of order statuses, shipping deadlines, and promotional deals. Consider offering extended customer service hours during the peak shipping season to handle any issues promptly.
Streamline Operations for Maximum Efficiency
Operational efficiency is key to surviving the holiday rush. This means optimizing your workflow, ensuring your team is prepared, and investing in technology that can help streamline production. Sensaria, for example, begins its peak season planning immediately after the previous year’s peak season, focusing on scalable solutions and continuous improvement. Through our comprehensive review processes throughout the year and investments in career skills development and operational technology, we strive to learn from our past experiences and continue to do better for our customers.
Tip: Work with a vendor who puts an emphasis on peak season efficiency. If you are not currently a customer of Sensaria, ask your supplier to learn more about what they do to prepare for peak..
Prioritize Quality Control
Maintaining quality can be challenging with the surge in orders during peak seasons. However, ensuring that every product meets your standards is crucial for customer satisfaction and retention. Scaling production should not mean a reduction in the quality of the product.
At Sensaria, we continuously invest in quality. We treat every single product with exceptional craftsmanship and ensure it maintains the highest possible quality, even during the busy peak season. Through our VOC (Voice of the Customer) program, Job Instruction Trainer program, proactive audits, quality alert boards, and standardized color profile management across our facilities, we have continued to reduce our rate of returns during the peak season year-over-year.
Tip: Hold your large volume suppliers to a higher standard by regularly checking the quality of their products. Work with a vendor who places a focus on both scalability and quality as both are factors that play deeply into customer satisfaction during the holiday selling season.
How Sensaria Can Help
Preparing for peak season is no small feat, but you don’t have to do it alone. Sensaria offers a range of services designed to support print-on-demand businesses during the busiest times of the year. From scalable product options to top-tier customer service and quality assurance, Sensaria is equipped to help you easily navigate peak season’s challenges.
Reach out to Sensaria to learn more about how our expertise can help your business thrive during peak season. Whether you need help with scaling your operations, improving quality control, or enhancing customer service, Sensaria has the tools and experience to support your success.
Learn More
For more information on peak season preparedness and the steps we take as a print-on-demand fulfillment partner to prepare, watch our recent webinar featuring leaders across Sensaria:
Take Action Now for a Successful Peak Season
The holiday season is just around the corner, and the time to prepare is now. By following these tips and leveraging Sensaria’s expertise, you can ensure your business is ready to meet the demands of peak season and exceed your customers’ expectations. Start planning today, and make this holiday season your most successful one yet.
Ready to improve your print-on-demand marketing strategy in time for peak season? Contact Sensaria today and discover how our services can help your business thrive during the busiest time of the year.