Is Your Warehouse Ready for Peak Season? 7 Things to Check Before Orders Surge
Black Friday may last a day, but the wave of orders it triggers can continue well into the holiday season. When demand rises sharply, stock turns faster and delivery windows get tighter. The warehouse becomes one of the most critical parts of the business. Process weaknesses that are easy to overlook during quieter periods can quickly lead to bottlenecks and delays during peak season.
That’s why it pays to prepare your warehouse for peak season early, while there’s still time to improve processes and get the team ready for higher volumes.
1. Check Inventory Accuracy
As orders start coming in faster than usual, it’s important that WMS data reflects the actual stock on hand as accurately as possible. Otherwise, a picker may arrive at an empty location, delaying the order or leaving it incomplete. Compare system records with physical stock in advance and pay attention to products with recurring discrepancies.
2. Review Product Locations
Are your most popular products placed where they can be picked quickly? If they’re far from the packing area or stored in hard-to-reach locations, pickers spend more time moving through the warehouse. Check whether product placement reflects expected demand and supports more efficient picking.
3. Make Sure Picking Locations Are Replenished on Time
When stock at picking locations for popular products runs low, replenishment needs to keep pace. Make sure goods are moved from reserve storage in time, so pickers don’t have to stop work and wait for stock to arrive. Pay particular attention to products you expect to be in highest demand.
4. Find Where Delays Occur
Fast picking won’t help much if orders pile up in the packing area. Review the entire workflow, from order processing to dispatch preparation, and identify where work most often slows down. This gives you time to reorganise operations and prevent bottlenecks before the season begins.
5. Plan Shifts and Staff Allocation
The pace of warehouse operations changes before the holidays, and some shifts and areas may be much busier than others. Use data from previous seasons and demand forecasts to plan shifts and staff allocation in advance. This helps ensure support is available where workloads are expected to be highest.
6. Check That Your Systems Exchange Data Reliably
During peak season, order and inventory data needs to move reliably between your WMS, ERP and online store. Test key scenarios and resolve any issues before they slow warehouse operations.
7. Define What to Do When Things Go Wrong
During the busiest periods, an item may be missing from its location, or an order may be delayed or packed incorrectly. Make sure everyone knows what to do and who to contact. Clear instructions and quick communication help resolve issues without bringing the rest of the operation to a standstill.
Ready for the Season Ahead?
When orders start arriving one after another, that’s when a well-organized warehouse really shows its value. A WMS helps your team keep track of stock and workflow, while Logit’s Slotter solution optimizes product placement and picking routes. This means pickers cover shorter distances and orders reach packing and dispatch faster.
Can your warehouse handle higher order volumes without unnecessary steps and delays?
Book a consultation or a demo of Slotter to find out how to prepare your warehouse for the peak season ahead.