The Ultimate Holiday Shipping Checklist
Introduction
The holiday season is make-or-break time for e-commerce brands—and your shipping strategy can be the difference between delighted customers and one-star reviews. With order volumes surging, carrier delays more likely, and customer expectations sky-high, preparation is everything. That’s why we’ve put together this essential Holiday Season Shipping Checklist—to help you stay ahead of the chaos, avoid costly mistakes, and deliver a seamless experience from checkout to unboxing. Let’s get your logistics wrapped up and ready for the rush.
This checklist is set up to provide a detailed roadmap for preparing your shipping and inventory management strategies ahead of the holiday rush.
The Checklist—
📅 1. Plan Early & Set Clear Goals
▫️ Review last year’s shipping and inventory performance
▫️ Identify stockouts, delays, and logistics pain points
▫️ Forecast demand using past sales data
▫️ Set inventory replenishment targets
▫️ Assess fulfillment center capacity
📦 2. Strengthen Inventory Management
Stock Up on Best-Sellers
▫️ Order extra units of high-demand SKUs
▫️ Coordinate with suppliers early
▫️ Use forecasting tools for better accuracy
Improve Warehouse Efficiency
▫️ Reorganize for faster picking/packing
▫️ Implement barcode scanning
▫️ Ensure clear, consistent labeling
Establish Backup Plans
▫️ Identify secondary suppliers
▫️ Store safety stock for top-selling items
▫️ Use multiple fulfillment locations
🚚 3. Optimize Shipping & Fulfillment
Offer Flexible Shipping Options
▫️ Include standard, expedited, and express
▫️ Partner with multiple carriers
▫️ Show estimated delivery dates
Streamline Fulfillment
▫️ Automate order processing
▫️ Use a 3PL to scale fulfillment
▫️ Implement batch picking & packing
Save with Rate Shopping
▫️ Compare real-time carrier rates
▫️ Automate cheapest/best-value selection
▫️ Use flat-rate options where possible
⏱️ 4. Manage Shipping Deadlines & Customer Expectations
Communicate Cut-Off Dates
▫️ Display final shipping dates prominently
▫️ Send email reminders
▫️ Offer local pickup or rush delivery
Set Clear Expectations
▫️ Be transparent about possible delays
▫️ Send real-time tracking updates
▫️ Provide responsive customer support
Plan for Holiday Returns
▫️ Offer clear, simple return policies
▫️ Provide return labels
▫️ Staff up for return processing
🖥️ 5. Use Technology to Stay Efficient
Inventory Management Software
▫️ Track stock in real-time
▫️ Automate reorder points
▫️ Sync inventory across platforms
Shipping Tools & Integrations
▫️ Use tools like ShipStation, Shippo, or EasyPost
▫️ Automate labels and tracking
▫️ Connect to eCommerce platforms
Leverage Predictive Analytics
▫️ Adjust inventory based on trends
▫️ Forecast demand using AI tools
▫️ Plan restocks and shipping schedules
🎁 6. Plan Your Post-Holiday Strategy
Audit Inventory
▫️ Identify overstock for promotions
▫️ Address inventory shrinkage
▫️ Evaluate supplier performance
Review Shipping Performance
▫️ Measure on-time delivery and delays
▫️ Collect and review customer feedback
▫️ Renegotiate carrier contracts
Handle Returns Effectively
▫️ Simplify return processing
▫️ Restock or repurpose returned items
▫️ Gather insights for next season
🎯 Start Now, Win Later
A strong shipping and fulfillment strategy sets you up to win the holidays. Get ahead now—so you can deliver speed, accuracy, and joy when it matters most. And if there is ever a need for assistance, we are more than happy to jump on a call.
Please contact us to learn more on how Rogue Fulfillment can help .