How to Stand Out During the Holiday Season

The winter holiday season is a time of joy and festivities as the year closes with reflection upon the time passed. For businesses, however, it represents a crucial moment not only for the increase in demand for holiday related products and services, but also for the implications for the following year.

An AMEX survey showed that two out of every three SMEs state the Christmas holidays as crucial to their business, while 89% of retail businesses view the season as important for the financial outlook. Companies often meet their revenue targets during the closing months of the year as consumers have more availability and justification to satisfy their shopping needs. The advent of online shopping can be felt more strongly during the holidays, as ecommerce sales increase by 28% approximately. However, what if the demand rises beyond the capabilities of the enterprise?

Same-day delivery has already been adopted by 51% of ecommerce businesses, showing that it is now becoming the norm. A PwC report states almost 90% of consumers would be willing to pay for premium and express delivery. Considering this, failure to deliver on promised days can be disastrous not only for the immediate situation, but also for the long term as this can affect the reputation of the company. It becomes all the more important for companies to accurately forecast the demand and keep a sufficient inventory to provide quality service and pass this testing time. Furthermore, choosing the right shipping supplier becomes crucial as part of the delivery process to the consumer, especially when peak demand can be irregular. 

This will allow the company to stay in-line with the customer’s basic expectations of a Christmas shopping experience, but how does one go above and beyond? The most commonly sold products at Christmas are children’s toys, cosmetics and perfumes, electronics, books, and gourmet foods and drinks. All of these goods have another thing in common: they require packaging. Packaging for shipments is a delicate process that requires time and care, especially for fragile items. Damage to a product, especially a gift, can be catastrophic for a business’ relationship with the customer, creating an untenable situation. However, customized packaging can also enhance the relationship with the customer. 63% of customers repurchase thanks to the packaging design, while 40% of purchasers are more likely to share the product online if the packaging is customized. 

In times of heavy demand, it can become difficult to handle and track every shipment individually, especially considering the multiple factors that affect optimal delivery. At MBE, we understand that shipping is a process, and are here to help you in all of your packaging and shipping needs, more so during the busy holiday seasons. Do you believe that the shipping process in your country requires more care and attention to the needs of SMEs and ecommerce vendors? Then, the MBE Master Franchise Opportunity is for you.



(Photo: Unsplash by Tessa Rampersad)

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