A recent survey revealed that 76% of Filipinos love to give gifts, making the holiday season one of cheer and generosity. Logisticsbid advises customers to check shipping deadlines to ensure their gifts arrive on time.
The holiday shopping rush truly picks up, with DHL noting a nearly 20% increase in shipping volumes during the festive season. For Philippine retailers and online sellers, this is a critical time. To keep customers satisfied, staying ahead of common processing bottlenecks is crucial, especially in busy December.
Missing shipping deadlines can hurt your business by disappointing customers and potentially losing their trust. The holiday season in the Philippines is particularly tricky for shipping, with port traffic already climbing and expected to spike even higher as Christmas approaches. Retailers must be extra careful and plan their shipments strategically to successfully navigate this busy period.
Retailers in the Philippines can make the holiday season run smoothly by using strategies that meet shipping deadlines and match customer expectations. Here are actionable steps to streamline logistics and delight customers:
Offer Clear Shipping Cutoffs on Your E-commerce Platforms Retailers should prominently display holiday shipping deadlines on their websites or apps. Platforms like Shopify recommend notifying customers of the last day to order for guaranteed delivery before Christmas. Use banners, pop-ups, and FAQ sections to communicate shipping deadlines based on location and service type.
Partner with Multiple Courier Services Reliance on a single courier can be risky during peak seasons. Collaborating with multiple logistics providers, such as LBC, Transportify, and DHL, increases flexibility and reduces the risk of delays.
Implement Buffer Times for Processing Order processing time can vary due to increased demand. Retailers should incorporate a 2–3-day buffer to account for fulfillment delays. For example, if the courier deadline is December 20, 2024, inform customers that orders must be placed by December 17, 2024.
Promote Express Shipping Options Encourage customers to choose expedited shipping during the final weeks before Christmas. While express options may cost more, they provide a higher likelihood of on-time delivery.
