Already several weeks before Christmas, Dachser employees are working at full capacity to ensure that all toys, gifts, Christmas lights, snow shovels, and other “winter gadgets” reach the stores on time. The pre-Christmas period is a major test for every logistics operator.
In some Dachser warehouses, the pre-Christmas rush begins even several months before Christmas. While the summer sun is still shining, preparations for the distribution of “winter goods” slowly begin. Christmas gadgets and gifts must reach the warehouses and then the store shelves at the right time—neither too early nor too late. For everything to go smoothly, every process must be properly planned. Goods gradually flow into the warehouses, shipments are scheduled, and promotional campaigns are prepared. This is also the case for DIY and home & garden retail chains, which during this time change their assortment from summer-grilling items to snow shovels, heaters, and, of course, Christmas lighting and decorations.
Increase in shipment volume
Christmas peace certainly does not apply to the warehouses from which pre-Christmas deliveries to stores are sent.
– In October, November, and December, we handle significantly more shipments than in other months, with increases ranging from 25 to even 50 percent – says Wojciech Cipiur, Contract Logistics Manager at Dachser. – The products we handle, the volume of which grows dynamically in the autumn, are certainly alcoholic beverages, home appliances/electronics, children’s items, and goods for DIY stores. We must manage the first large deliveries to stores before Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, when the shopping frenzy begins. Then, we carry out store replenishment on an ongoing basis, according to demand.
Winter in the DIY industry
In late autumn, the DIY industry also sees changes in the structure of its product sales. Dachser, specializing with its DIY-Logistics service in supply and merchandising for DIY and home & garden stores, must deliver items such as snow shovels and road gravel to the shelves for cold winter days. An additional category of products sold in large quantities in these stores is Christmas decorations—Christmas trees, ornaments, lighting, etc.
– Thanks to our extensive network of branches across Europe, we carry out all deliveries efficiently and on time – says Juliusz Pakuński, Head of Dachser DIY-Logistics in Poland. – If necessary, during the high season, we hire additional seasonal workers and organize work in a shift system. We have many years of experience in serving industry-specific stores, and thanks to this, we have a number of developed solutions that significantly improve our logistics processes. In addition to classic warehousing and logistics services related to delivery fulfillment, we also handle in-store merchandising. If needed, we instantly change shelf displays for our clients, replacing summer products with winter ones.
Goods remaining in the stores can be stored in Dachser warehouses until the next season. In such cases, the goods are first checked in the store for quality and quantity, and then transported to the nearest warehouse. As part of the Dachser DIY-Logistics service, the operator currently serves 18,000 stores across Europe.
When does the situation stabilize?
After such a peak lasting several weeks, shortly before Christmas, the situation in Dachser warehouses slowly calms down. There are fewer deliveries, so to optimize the number of vehicles used, the operator employs shipment consolidation, combining transports whenever possible. Furthermore, planning begins for container deliveries from the Far East, which start arriving in Europe as early as January and February, so that the next products can reach the shelves of European stores in the spring.