Peak season brings not just more orders, but more pressure—on people, processes, systems, and customer expectations.
The difference between chaos and smooth execution? Preparation.
Here’s a time-staggered checklist to ensure your warehouse is ready to conquer peak volumes without breaking a sweat:
3 Months Prior: Strategy & System Readiness
1. Forecast Volume Surge by Category & Channel
Collaborate with sales, marketing, and planning teams to anticipate volume spikes, new product launches, and promotions—down to the SKU level.
2. Stress-Test Your WMS and Fulfillment Workflows
Simulate high-volume scenarios. Practice wave picking, returns handling, and order routing under pressure. Identify workflow bottlenecks early.
2 Months Prior: Space & Staffing Preparation
3. Reorganize Storage Layouts for Fast Movers
Relocate high-demand SKUs closer to dispatch zones. Set up temporary pick faces for fast-selling or promotional items.
4. Plan & Train Temporary Workforce
Begin hiring and onboarding temporary staff. Cross-train them for picking, packing, and returns to maintain flexibility.
5. Check Equipment Health
Audit handhelds, printers, scanners, and packing stations. Order spares and fix underperforming devices before they become a problem.
1 Month Prior: Final Optimization
6. Review and Refine Picking Strategies
Adapt to wave, zone, or batch picking as needed. Aim to reduce picker travel time and boost picking efficiency.
7. Set Up Additional Packing & QC Zones
Install extra packing lines or quality control areas to avoid backlogs. Expand shifts if required by projected volumes.
8. Lock Down Supplier & Courier SLAs
Confirm commitments from suppliers and logistics partners. Ensure they’re equipped to handle the increased load.
D-Day: Peak Season Kickoff
9. Run Real-Time Dashboards and Exception Alerts
Monitor pick rates, dispatch cut-offs, and returns in real time. Set up alerts for SLA breaches or operational slowdowns.
10. Enable Backup Protocols
Have contingency plans for system outages, courier delays, or inventory mismatches. Make quick, informed decisions to minimize impact.
Ongoing Monitoring: Daily Pulse
Begin each day with a quick team huddle to review key metrics.
Use WMS data to adjust shift planning and workforce allocation.
Track returns, damages, and delays to make real-time improvements.
Final Thought
Peak season is not a test of endurance—it’s a test of preparation, precision, and performance.
The best-run warehouses don’t just survive peak—they thrive through it.
Want a peak-readiness audit for your warehouse?
Let our experts help you benchmark, prepare, and perform.