The holiday season may feel far away, but for supply chain professionals, it’s closer than you think. At L&M, we know firsthand that the difference between a profitable Q4 and a logistical nightmare comes down to one thing: preparation.
The holiday rush brings a significant spike in demand, tighter delivery windows, limited carrier capacity, and increased pressure on every point of the supply chain. Whether you’re managing retail inventory, e-commerce fulfillment, or wholesale distribution, now is the time to plan ahead.
Here’s how to start preparing your supply chain today—so you’re not scrambling tomorrow.
1. Forecast Demand with Accuracy and Agility
Last year’s data is your best friend. Start by analyzing sales trends from previous holiday seasons. Look at your best-selling SKUs, peak order times, and shipping bottlenecks. Then, layer in market trends for this year.
💡 Pro tip from L&M: Build flexible forecasting models that allow for adjustments as new data comes in. The market can shift rapidly—your planning should too.
2. Audit Your Inventory and Warehouse Readiness
Now is the time to do a deep dive into your current inventory levels and warehousing capacity. Overstocking ties up capital, but understocking risks missing sales.
At L&M, we work with clients to optimize inventory positioning across multiple locations—closer to where your customers are. This reduces shipping time and cost, especially during the high-volume season.
3. Strengthen Supplier and Carrier Relationships
During the holiday peak, capacity gets tight. The vendors and carriers you work with now could make or break your fulfillment success later.
- Confirm lead times with suppliers.
- Lock in carrier contracts early.
- Diversify your transport options.
📦 At L&M, we maintain strong partnerships with a network of carriers and fulfillment providers, giving our clients the flexibility they need during crunch time.
4. Upgrade Your Technology Stack
Manual processes will slow you down when things get busy. Invest in the right technology tools to automate and streamline operations:
- Inventory management systems
- Real-time tracking and visibility platforms
- Order management systems
- Customer communication tools
🧠 We offer integrated logistics solutions that keep you connected from warehouse to doorstep.
5. Plan for Reverse Logistics
Returns are inevitable—especially post-holiday. A solid reverse logistics strategy ensures smooth customer experiences and quicker restocking.
Build clear policies, streamline return processing, and have your teams trained and ready. The smoother your returns process, the more loyal your customers become.
6. Train Your Team and Build Contingency Plans
More orders mean more complexity. Ensure your warehouse and customer service teams are trained for peak operations—and cross-train wherever possible.
Also, build contingency plans. What happens if a shipment is delayed? Or if one of your top SKUs is out of stock? Having answers now helps you stay calm when the pressure is on.
Start Now, Succeed Later
Holiday success doesn’t start in December—it starts today.
At L&M, we specialize in helping businesses scale and succeed through every season. With tailored warehousing, fulfillment, and transportation solutions, we’ll help you navigate the holiday rush with confidence and control.
Let’s get your supply chain ready. Contact us today!
