The holiday season is around the corner, and for many businesses, Q4 can make or break the year. Between spikes in consumer demand, labor shortages, and ongoing transportation challenges, the pressure on supply chains is higher than ever. The good news? With the right preparation, you can minimize disruptions, control costs, and deliver a smooth experience for your customers.

Here are four steps you can take now to get ahead of the holiday rush:

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1. Forecast Demand Early (and Often)

Don’t rely on last year’s numbers alone. Holiday shopping patterns have shifted in recent years, with consumers buying earlier and expecting faster delivery. Use your most recent sales data to identify trends and adjust your forecasts weekly. This helps ensure you’re stocking the right products in the right locations at the right time.

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2. Build Flexibility Into Your Transportation Plan

Carriers book up quickly during peak season. If you’re locked into one option, you risk higher costs or missed deadlines. Partner with a logistics provider that offers multi-carrier solutions and can pivot when unexpected changes arise. Flexibility is the key to keeping freight moving when capacity is tight.

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3. Prioritize Last-Mile Delivery

Fast, reliable last-mile service is one of the biggest customer expectations during the holidays. Work with your logistics partner to map out optimized routes, consolidate shipments where possible, and explore options like regional carriers for speed and efficiency.

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4. Strengthen Communication Across Your Supply Chain

From suppliers to distribution centers to end customers, clear communication can prevent small hiccups from becoming major issues. Share your holiday cut-off dates, be proactive with status updates, and set realistic delivery promises to keep everyone aligned.

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Final Thoughts

The holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful—if you plan ahead. By forecasting demand, building flexibility, prioritizing last-mile delivery, and keeping communication strong, your business can not only survive but thrive during the busiest time of year.

At L&M, we help our partners navigate peak season with scalable, cost-effective logistics solutions. If you’re looking for support this holiday season, get in touch with our team today.