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Prepare Your 3PL for Peak Season: Top 10 Tips from Barrett Distribution

Katherine Wroth • October 7, 2024

According to a report by Convey, nearly 40% of consumers say they’ll abandon a brand after a negative delivery experience during peak season.


Let’s be honest—peak season is one of the most demanding and exciting times of the year, but your 3PL partner can make or break your business’s success during this period. For over 80 years, Barrett Distribution has been a trusted 3PL partner, helping businesses of all sizes navigate the complexities of peak season. With the right preparation, you can avoid many headaches and costly disruptions. Here are 10 practical tips to help ensure your 3PL provider is ready to meet peak season demands:


1. Collaborate on Early Forecasting and Demand Planning


Work closely with your 3PL to analyze previous peak season data and current market trends. Accurate forecasting of inventory levels and order volumes will help you avoid the pitfalls of stockouts or overstocking, helping your operations flow efficiently during the rush.
 

2. Optimize Warehouse Space and Layouts

 

Discuss warehouse space optimization with your provider. Efficient space use is key during peak season, so double-check that your 3PL implements smart slotting strategies and efficient storage solutions for faster picking and packing

 
3. Ensure Flexible Staffing Capabilities


Ask your 3PL about their staffing plans for peak season. Cross-trained staff and temporary workers can manage the spike in order volume, keeping operations steady and fulfillment on schedule.锘�


4. Prioritize Seamless Technology Integration


Ensure your 3PL’s technology is fully integrated with your systems. Real-time order tracking, inventory counts and automated reporting are essential tools to help you maintain complete visibility and control during the busiest times.


5. Leverage Strong Carrier Relationships


Check with your 3PL about their carrier partnerships. Priority shipping options, even when carrier capacity is tight, can be critical in meeting delivery deadlines. Ensure they offer a range of shipping options that align with your customers’ expectations.


6. Maintain Proactive and Transparent Communication


Communication is key during peak season. Set up regular check-ins and touchpoints with your 3PL to stay informed about your inventory status and any potential issues. Clear proactive communication helps you navigate challenges quickly and efficiently.


7. Emphasize Continuous Improvement and LEAN Processes


Work with your 3PL to identify potential bottlenecks and inefficiencies in their processes. Continuous improvement through LEAN practices can help ensure that your 3PL is operating at peak performance when it matters most.


8. Explore Custom Packaging and Value-Added Services


77% of consumers have chosen, recommended or paid more for a brand that provides a personalized service or experience. [Source: Ninetailed]


Talk to your 3PL about offering custom packaging or kitting services to enhance the customer experience. Peak season is a great opportunity to differentiate your brand with tailored packaging solutions that leave a lasting impression.


9. Plan for Reverse Logistics and Returns


Returns are inevitable during peak season, so it’s important to streamline the process with your 3PL. Efficient reverse logistics solutions can turn a challenging aspect of the season into a positive customer experience, minimizing disruption to your operations.


10. Verify Scalability of Infrastructure


Ensure that your 3PL provider has the infrastructure to scale quickly. Whether it’s increasing warehouse capacity or ramping up shipping capabilities, your logistics provider should be able to flexibly adjust to surges in demand.


Conclusion


Peak season can put pressure on any business, but by working closely with your 3PL provider and preparing strategically, you can turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth. From forecasting to staffing and technology, these tips will help you get the most out of your logistics partner and ensure a successful season.

 

Are you in need of a reliable 3PL partner for peak season success? Contact us today to see how we can support you.

Recent Blog Posts

Your 3PL RFP Playbook: What to Do & When

February 5, 2025
Here's a helpful timeline/guide that is applicable for clients with a "classical" peak season in Q4: 馃幆 Use Q1 to add 3PLs to your RFP discovery list/search. This master list should not be more than 7-10 providers. 馃幆 You should have your preferred 3PL partner list dwindled down to three no later than end of Q1. 馃幆 Use the beginning of Q2 for site visits (3 max)—engage with operations and folks on the floor. At this stage, "pricing gaps" should be somewhat narrow between 2-3 companies. Focus on who will "get the job done" and who you envision your company working with for the next 2-3+ years! This is super important. 馃幆 Aim to award a verbal "yes" halfway through Q2, no later than end of May. You'll want to allow another 30-45 days to work through legal discussions. 馃幆 Ideally, you should sign an MSA with your chosen 3PL no later than the end of June. This allows inventory transfers over the summer and ensures the new operation has ample "time" to touch the product, test systems, etc. 馃幆 Go-Live by Oct 1—You really don't want to "go live" in November, two weeks before the major holidays/peak, etc. Launching by Oct 1 allows for at least a 30-day period before the ultra-craziness begins! The Right 3PL Can Make All the Difference—Let’s Chat If you're just about to start your RFP or need help with any of the above, contact us - Barrett would love to be your next 3PL partner to run your supply chain!

On a MISSION: Brand Growth With the Right 3PL Partner

By Katherine Wroth • January 29, 2025
Franklin, Mass., Jan. 23, 2025 — Barrett Distribution Centers , a leader in third-party logistics (3PL) leader for over 82 years, is proud to announce its partnership with MISSION , a performance lifestyle brand. “Following a thorough search and review process, we selected Barrett based on their ability to provide a scalable, dependable and competitive Omni-Channel Warehouse and Managed Transportation Services solution,” said Lisa Lehan , COO of MISSION. “Their strategic location offers the foundation necessary to support our forecasted growth through D2C and B2B channels, making them the ideal partner for our next growth phase.” MISSION is dedicated to prioritizing comfort by providing a high level of cool in every environment, whether indoors or outdoors. As a performance lifestyle brand, MISSION focuses on innovative design to ensure that extreme heat and discomfort do not interfere with work, play, or daily experiences. The brand integrates heat health™, comfort, and performance into its offerings to facilitate peak performance during a variety of physical activities. MISSION’s journey is defined by action and a strong commitment to comfort and success. The brand prioritizes innovative cooling products that can be utilized across various activities. MISSION strives to achieve health and wellness goals through continual innovation, creating solutions that empower individuals to enhance their performance without allowing heat to hinder their efforts. “It’s a pleasure to reconnect with a fun, innovative and growing brand like MISSION,” said Mark Healy , VP of Customer 好色先生 at Barrett. “I’m proud to call Lisa Lehan, MISSION’s COO, a friend, and the entire Barrett team is excited and honored to support the next phase of MISSION’s growth.” Barrett is set to launch the MISSION operation from the Memphis region , home to its robust network of high-growth apparel brands and robotics-driven pick solutions. About MISSION Founded in 2009 by a group of world-class athletes and heat safety experts, MISSION is the leader in head-to-toe cooling and heat-relief product innovations that enhance performance and safety for anyone who works, plays, or lives in the heat. MISSION's goals extend far beyond providing comfort; they aim to revolutionize health, wellness, productivity, and performance in the face of heat challenges. MISSION is distributed nationwide in over 25,000 retail stores and online, leading the market with patented and proprietary technologies. MISSION is the founding partner of the National Heat Safety Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving safety and performance in high-temperature environments for workers in the United States. Along with scientists, researchers, and industry leaders, the Coalition collaborates with public and private partners to set guidelines and raise awareness about heat safety standards. For more information, visit mission.com and follow us on Instagram @mission. About Barrett Distribution Centers Since 1941, Barrett has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions, and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. Barrett continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement, and direct access to senior leadership decision-makers. As a member of Inc.'s fastest-growing companies list 15 times, Barrett is big enough to do the job and still small enough to care about your business deeply. eCommerce brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact Barrett directly here . Official Release Here

Case Study: Empowering Customer Experience with Modern Data Stack and Tableau Cloud Integration

By Katherine Wroth • January 24, 2025
Industry Challenge In today’s logistics landscape, companies face hurdles such as fluctuating customer demand, rising costs due to inflation, and supply chain disruptions. To stay competitive, logistics providers must prioritize cost reduction and service quality. This entails adopting modern tools to offer customers greater visibility into their operations and associated costs. By leveraging analytics and enhancing transparency, companies can improve efficiency, streamline processes, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Barrett Specific Challenges Barrett, committed to customer satisfaction and operational excellence, encountered significant challenges: Customer Satisfaction : Customers demanded frequent and accurate visibility into supply chain operations, affecting our Net Promoter Score (NPS) and trust. Poor Visibility : Inadequate visibility across the supply chain caused delays and eroded customer trust, hindering proactive decision-making. Metric Visibility and Transparency : Limited visibility and manual metric calculations hindered meaningful insights and continuous improvement. Customer Communication/Working Relationship : Numerous inquiries strained resources, necessitating streamlined touchpoints and proactive communication. Feedback from clients underscored the urgency to revamp reporting and analytics for improved transparency and alignment with customer expectations. Solution: Modernizing Data Stack and Analytics Strategy To address these challenges, Barrett revamped its data stack and analytics strategy: Snowflake Implementation : Consolidating data into one platform improved visibility and decision-making speed across the supply chain. Tableau Cloud Partnership : Leveraging Tableau's embedded analytics product and APIs enabled seamless integration of dashboards into the customer-facing portal, providing real-time insights. Driving Value for Our Business and Our Customers Transparent Cost Breakdown : By providing customers with transparent cost breakdowns, Barrett enabled informed pricing decisions tailored to different channels and partners. Streamlined Communication: Improved visibility and collaboration streamlined business planning and cost forecasting, enhancing decision-making and alignment. Elevated Customer Experience: Self-service capabilities and responsive inquiries improved NPS scores, enriching overall customer experience. Revenue Growth : Enhanced offerings led to a 13% increase in close rate, equating to an estimated $20M to $30M in new business annually. Prevention of Missed Opportunities: Prior deficiencies in reporting tools and visibility potentially cost $75M annually. Feedback from prospects highlighted areas of improvement, emphasizing the importance of customer-focused metrics. By addressing these challenges and leveraging modern technologies, Barrett not only enhanced its own operations but also empowered its customers to thrive in a dynamic logistics landscape. About Barrett Distribution Centers At Barrett, we solve challenges and build solutions that drive transparency, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. If you'd like to streamline your supply chain or elevate your customer experience, c ontact us today for a complimentary supply chain consultation with a seasoned 3PL expert.
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