How well do you know your eCommerce peak season ABCs? Before the holiday season comes around, brush up on some key fulfilment terms with our peak terminology glossary.
Ranking products by sales velocity so A items (fast-moving) can be prioritised for peak access.
Orders placed on temporarily out-of-stock items, common when demand exceeds forecast.
The latest date a retailer can promise delivery by a certain date (e.g. Christmas Eve), factoring in processing and courier timelines.
Inventory that doesn’t sell, often problematic post-peak if seasonal or perishable.
Faster shipping methods (e.g. next-day or same-day), often in high demand during gift-buying season.
The % of packages delivered without a reattempt, key for reducing customer service volume.
Coordinating inbound stock arrival to avoid bottlenecks during seasonal surges.
The expenses of storing inventory, which can spike if seasonal stock lingers post-peak.
A measure of how quickly stock sells and is replaced – critical for planning seasonal inventory levels.
Minimising storage by having products arrive at the warehouse just before they’re needed for shipping.
Assembling products into ready-to-ship bundles or gift sets, often more common during seasonal promotions.
The ability to quickly adjust workforce levels, often through agency partnerships or shift scheduling.
The smallest number of units a supplier will produce or ship – important to factor into seasonal demand planning.
The opening or improvement of new or existing network centres to position stock closer to customers, cutting costs and shipping times.
Temporary space used when inventory exceeds normal warehouse capacity.
The busiest period of the year for fulfilment operations, typically spanning from October to January, driven by events such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, and Boxing Day sales.
A replenishment method allowing rapid restocking based on real-time demand signals.
Keeping inventory counts accurate across channels (e.g. website, marketplaces) to avoid overselling.
A temporary increase in staffing levels during peak periods to handle surges in order volumes.
The volume of orders processed in a set time – a key KPI to monitor during seasonal peaks.
A sudden, unexpected surge in orders, often triggered by viral trends or unanticipated events.
Reduced courier or supplier rates for higher shipment volumes – often negotiated ahead of peak season.
A method of grouping orders by shipping deadlines or courier cut-offs, improving speed during busy times.
A distribution method where goods are transferred directly from inbound to outbound shipping with minimal storage time.
Analysing sales or operational performance against the same period in the previous year to forecast seasonal trends.
A fulfilment method where warehouse pickers are assigned to specific areas, reducing travel time during busy periods.