With the beginning of November, a seasonal increase in sales is visible in many industries. Black Friday, and the holidays immediately following it, is a period awaited by both brick-and-mortar and online stores. How can you prepare for this moment sensibly without sacrificing valuable warehouse space for packaging inventory? It is worth planning deliveries with the right distributor in advance.
As economists note, and as confirmed by data from Statistics Poland (GUS)[1], Poles have finally become accustomed to the current inflation, and its systematic decline is further contributing to improved consumer sentiment. As a result, we are more willing to make purchasing decisions that had been postponed, which is surprising even to experts. According to data published by GUS, retail sales calculated at constant prices in September were only 0.3 percent lower than a year ago.[2] The share of online sales is also growing slowly but noticeably. Everything indicates that we are returning to trends that were disrupted by high inflation over the last year. One of them is the pre-holiday shopping frenzy. Considering that according to a Deloitte report[3], in 2021 Poles spent an average of PLN 2,129 on Christmas, this amount may be even higher now; moreover, we will spend as much as 70 percent of this sum on food and gifts.
Always at hand
The last Friday of November, when Black Friday falls, begins the hottest period in retail. According to the Provident Barometer study[4], most consumers buy Christmas gifts at this time, while only 15% of respondents leave their shopping until the last minute. However, an increase in sales means a significant jump in items shipped for sellers. In a situation where we expect higher sales, we must stock our warehouses with appropriately selected shipping packaging and supplies, so it is a pity to occupy valuable space for storing packaging needed in the future.
– The solution is to choose a packaging material supplier that guarantees constant availability of goods. This allows you to avoid a situation where you suddenly cannot order the necessary packaging because the distributor does not have it in their warehouses – advises Jarosław Kamiński, President of RAJA Polska. In extreme cases, this can lead not only to delays in delivering shipments but also to the loss of a good image and, consequently, customers.
Time is money
Beyond the constant availability of goods, the delivery method offered by the packaging distributor is also important for maintaining order fulfillment liquidity. Increasingly, a next-day delivery guarantee is standard if the customer orders the goods early enough. However, leaders among distributors offer many more options.
– Thanks to an efficient distribution network, customers can expect delivery within 24 hours for orders placed even by 3:30 PM. Additionally, to meet the expectations of contractors, we have introduced new options for parcel shipments: delivery to various collection points, staggered delivery, delivery on a selected day, and on Saturday – says Jarosław Kamiński.
Entrepreneurs who enter into a framework agreement with a packaging distributor or place large orders can count on special terms of cooperation. In such cases, the customer can count on individually tailored services and negotiated terms.
– Recipients of the largest volumes determine all terms with dedicated advisors who help effectively manage orders and inventory. One of the most popular options is staggered delivery, adapted to the current needs of the customer. It works especially well in e-shops where the number of orders varies even from day to day – explains Jarosław Kamiński.
Optimization is a good choice
Once we have found a professional packaging distributor that meets all our expectations, let us focus on the appropriate selection of materials. It turns out that here, too, we can choose systems that significantly speed up work or are maximally ergonomic but require little space.
– In the pre-holiday period, companies hire additional employees for whom they create temporary workstations. Usually in a fairly limited space. Work at such a station will be facilitated by, for example, small, disposable paper dispensers. There are cartons on the market with an automatic bottom, or those with ready-made tape to close the box. Each of these solutions will speed up and facilitate the packer’s work. The choice is huge, so it is best to use the advice of an advisor – suggests Jarosław Kamiński.
An experienced, professional packaging distributor will facilitate our work and help optimize the packaging process. Additionally, thanks to an offer tailored to our needs, they will support us in achieving our sales goals.
[1] https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/ceny-handel/wskazniki-cen/wskazniki-cen-towarow-i-uslug-konsumpcyjnych-we-wrzesniu-2023-roku,2,143.html
[2] https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/ceny-handel/wskazniki-cen/wskazniki-cen-towarow-i-uslug-konsumpcyjnych-we-wrzesniu-2023-roku,2,143.html
[3] https://www2.deloitte.com/pl/pl/pages/press-releases/articles/Mikolaj-siega-glebiej-do-kieszeni-w-tym-roku-na-Boze-Narodzenie-wydamy-srednio-2129-zl.html
[4] https://media-provident.pl/pr/777917/barometr-providenta-swieta-kosztuja-polakow-coraz-wiecej
Source: RAJA Group