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THE CURRENT BACKDROP
The pandemic may no longer dominate headlines, but the havoc it caused over the last few years on supply chains remains very much front and center.
VOLATILE
SUPPLY CHAINS
Figuring out the supply chain is still like playing a high-stakes game of whack-a-mole. The second one bottleneck gets sorted, another seems to pop up.
INCREASED
LABOR DISRUPTIONS
From the rise of unions to contract renegotiations, worker & driver uncertainties continue to cast a dark cloud over the industry and peak shipping.
SHRINKING
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
Households aren’t feeling as optimistic heading into this holiday season as the last two. And the souring mood has a compounding effect.
51% ANTICIPATE MORE CHAOS
According to DC Velocity, 51% of industry professionals expect the 2022 peak season to be worse than 2021.
WHAT TO EXPECT
MORE
ECOMMERCE
This year, eCommerce sales are expected to cross 20% of the total shopping threshold for the first time. And nothing points no anything but up and to the right.
HIGHER CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS
From shrinking delivery windows to product availability, with every passing peak season, consumer expectations tighten the screws on retailers and shippers.
MORE OPTIONS
THAN EVER
We’re up to over 1.8 million eCommerce sites, with the number of new storefronts opening daily at the greatest clip ever. That’s a lot of competition.
THIS YEAR'S WINNING STRATEGIES
While this year’s troubles may seem as pressing as ever, thankfully, this is not our first rodeo. We too have more options than ever before.
GIVE YOURSELF
"OUTS"
Last year, there were more horror shipping stories than we care to recount. Packages not being picked up for days, delivery trucks not finishing routes, and entire trailers sitting on loading docks with no pickup dates in sight. By the time peak starts, it’s often too late to make a switch, but with the rise of Shipping API platforms like EasyPost, ShipPro, ShippingEasy, Ship Station, and more, rerouting volume can literally happen with the flip of a switch. That is if you’re ready to go. Ensure you have a diverse carrier base and contingency plans in place should you need to move volume quickly.
ANTICIPATE THE
RANDOM SURGES
Halloween shopping comes earlier every year. Black Friday is no longer the end-all-be-all of peak like it once was. And random occurrences like low-running product inventory or social media-driven frenzies seem to give rise to random surges throughout the season. Retailers are having to stay on their toes and anticipate the unexpected from October through December. Talk with your carriers and ask about their capacity planning and ability to handle random surges.
PLAN FOR
THE SURPRISES
Mike Tyson is famous for saying, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” Last year, many retailers and eCommerce firms were met with last-minute surcharges and fees from carriers, unforeseen supply chain disruptions, and weather-related delays. While it’s impossible to plan for everything, there’s a lot we can learn from our past: lock in your peak pricing now, shrink and centralize your supply chains to the extent possible, and design contingent shipping routes to accommodate for inclement weather. Gone are the days of lean supply chains at all costs. Today, it’s all about resiliency.
STAY AHEAD
OF THE CURVE
There is still much that is unknown as we head into peak this year. What will the economy do? Where is inflation headed? What’s going to be hot this year and what’s not? Again, while anticipating all potential scenarios is nearly impossible, we have more data and visibility than ever to keep us one step ahead. Work closely with your carriers to create a tight feedback loop of data and communication. The better you work together, spotting trends, positive or negative, as early as possible, the faster you’ll be able to make the necessary adjustments.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
TODAY’S CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS ARE UNRELENTING.
TODAY’S CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS ARE UNRELENTING.
It feels wholly unfair, but consumers have little patience for our rising costs, supply chain woes, product outages, or mother nature’s fury. With more options and greater expectations than ever, the prevailing mantra seems to be ship it now or never. For those who are well-prepared, this presents a massive opportunity in the peak season ahead.
ABOUT BETTER TRUCKS
Better Trucks is a regional, last-mile parcel carrier built for the Now or Never economy.
4.5+ Million
Happy Customers
4+ Million
Household Stops
2+ Million
Miles Driven
5+ Million
Packages Delivered
We're hyper-focused on delivering your eCommerce packages to residential customers, with confidence.
NEXT DAY
Buy it today,
get it tomorrow
get it tomorrow
TWO DAY
Buy it today,
get it in two days
get it in two days
SAME DAY
Buy it in the morning,
get it in the evening
get it in the evening
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CONTACT INFORMATION
2478 Wisconsin Ave.Downers Grove, IL.
customer_support@bettertrucks.com
+1 (312) 883-2733
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