Golden Quarter Nuggets #3: The 21 tips you need to get your retail business logistics-ready for Christmas

Business logistics may not be the most exciting part of running a retail brand, but it’s absolutely essential to plan for success in every area if you want to maximise sales and minimise complaints.

Here are my 21 tips, split by business area, to help you get organised and disciplined, yet remain creative and flexible when it counts most.

📦 Stock

1. Check your stock and ensure the count is accurate

2. Check you have the correct colour/ size/ style mix, based on historical data and projected market trends

3. Ensure your stock is in the right place, ie in the correct warehouse location, in the right position in your store, not stuck in customs

🚛 Supplier deliveries

4. Schedule a meeting with your suppliers today to discuss any outstanding/ upcoming deliveries to make sure you can plan in any delays

5. Make your expectations clear to your suppliers so there aren’t any surprises during peak trading periods

6. Review your commitment schedule and check that in-transit deliveries are arriving as planned; ensure all of your customs and import documents are complete and accurate to avoid hold-ups

🛍 Sales

7. Map out historical trends so you know what to expect, and where you can improve

8. Create an accurate sales forecast, including promotions and markdowns

9. Monitor your sales. You should have a daily, weekly, monthly view that enables you to spot trends and react quickly

✨ Merchandising

10. Check your website and make sure all of your photos and descriptions show your products in the best possible light

11. If you have a physical store, or are looking to sell at a market, make your your signage and packaging are eye-catching and on-brand

12. Be sure to have the right colour, size and product mix so customers can shop the perfect range and feel compelled to add on extras

🛒 Fulfilment/ warehouse

13. Set up a meeting with your fulfilment centre partners to run through expected deliveries and upcoming promotions

14. Communicate your expectations regarding fulfilment so your team can support you, ie packaging requirements (inserts, gift wrap etc)

15. Raise any historical issues or potential problems as early as possible so your concerns can be addressed before trading gets busy

🚚 Delivery

16. Research your carriers carefully so your customers get the best possible delivery experience

17. Check your total fulfilment costs v what you are charging for delivery to ensure you are not chipping away at your margin

18. Communicate last order dates with your customers now so they can plan ahead

💡Customer service

19. Check last year’s feedback and take it on board; make the necessary changes to avoid making the same mistakes

20. Brainstorm how you can further improve your customer experience because in this competitive market, shoppers will remember the brands that go above-and-beyond, especially with the small gestures; get creative!

21. Leave no comment behind: if a customer makes the effort to comment on a social media post or email you feedback (whatever it is) respond and be as helpful as possible