A Valentine’s Day with a gift is a Valentine’s Day. The expectation and pressure to deliver something on February 14 must be substantial for all shipping, warehouse, or distribution employees. As romantic as the holiday may be for most couples in love, it also means higher than usual volumes for retailers gearing up and sending gifts-in-kind to their customers. Shippers need to be prepared for a higher than usual demand on their operational capacities and ensure that their delivery services, particularly delivery to residential areas, are on a highly efficient path.
1. Reduce the probability of a late delivery
The gift-go service offers online and store pickup options to reduce the risk of getting to a residential location even later than originally anticipated. These types of services also allow for faster returns and expedited deliveries. Express Shipping- Express shipping service combines speed, quality, and a guaranteed timeframe. It is designed to be the fastest way to ship packages. Most often, express programs will deliver in less than 24 hours after placing an order.
2. Create a release form
A release form is a document that confirms the shipping address, order details, and delivery date. Please review the document thoroughly to make sure it is correct and will allow the carrier to deliver when you expect. A common mistake that many shippers make is to read their confirmation and release forms. Most carriers will require this paperwork before accepting any packages into their system.
3. Create a Ship Plan
A Ship Plan is a document that shows the origin and destination of the shipment, the date it will be delivered, and other information about the shipment. Shippers must review their ship’s plans to ensure they contain all necessary information. For example, it is important to check that the carrier has included the full address of origin/destination, order tracking numbers, and delivery dates in the shipment plan.
4. Monitor all shipments
Once the packages containing the gifts have been picked up, keeping track of them until they are delivered is important. A delivery confirmation number is crucial for the shipper and receiver to download to be notified of a change in delivery status. This number allows the shipper, receiver, and others to track the package to delivery.
Valentine’s Day can be a pressure-packed day for all concerned about the success of their business plan. To succeed in this highly competitive holiday, shippers must have a plan and understand how it works.