Preparing a warehouse or fulfillment center for the holiday season can be a big headache for small- and medium-sized businesses. Consider these tips for getting your warehouse ready for the holiday season.
Staff Up
It’s no secret that finding and keeping warehouse staff has become a major challenge. Even with significant offers of higher wages, sign-on bonuses, and immediate benefits, businesses that depend on warehouse operations are feeling the pain of labor shortages. Make a plan for holding on to seasonal workers after the peak season has ended.
Be realistic: have a plan for staff shortages. How are you going to keep your operation going if you simply can’t find enough seasonal workers? Make arrangements with a staffing agency to back you up if workers can’t be found or don’t show up.
Ensure Equipment Maintenance Is Up To Date
Businesses can’t afford downtime during the holiday season. Ensure all essential equipment has been thoroughly inspected and is up to date on maintenance and repair. This may include forklifts, stackers, conveyors, pallet jacks, pallet-wrapping machines, and pallet-moving systems within racks.
Reorganize
Business owners rely on market predictions and their own experience to predict which items will be in high demand in any given holiday season. Revise your warehouse layout to optimize the availability of high-demand items for pickers. Keep them safe by separating their paths from forklift lanes. This can also get product out the door faster.
You may also consider maximizing available space as inventory burgeons during the holiday period. Consolidate pallets and add racking if you think it’s necessary—and if it can be safely and properly installed in time to make a difference.
Gather Data
Your warehouse management system is your friend. Gathering data about how things go this year will help you plan ahead for next year.
Incentivize Early Ordering
Everything about the shipping process continues to be a major headache. Find ways to reward clients and customers who order early with discounts or deals on future purchases.
Communicate Effectively
Publicize realistic deadlines for orders for holiday delivery to pre-empt disappointment or at least prepare customers for shipping delays.
Effective communication with warehouse staff is of paramount importance during peak times. You may have had to impose blackout dates on discretionary time off to keep things moving. Let employees know of your plans to show your appreciation when things calm down. You can throw a company celebration, give out year-end bonuses, or add significant help concerning childcare.
The holiday season is upon us, and demand for goods remains high. With luck, you’ll already have implemented many of these tips for getting your warehouse ready for holiday season, and you’ll be ready to handle the surge.