Why the ‘BER Months Matter in Creating Your Logistics Optimization Strategies
From colorful decorations filling store shelves on the first day of September to the last-minute rush for gifts, Filipinos eagerly welcome the long-awaited Holiday season. For many, the start of the ‘BER months’ marks the official countdown to the holidays. A time characterized by festive spirit, family gatherings, and shopping sprees.
This extended celebration has a unique impact on consumer behavior in the Philippines. Malls and online stores experience a surge in shoppers, driven by exclusive sales and massive discounts that Filipinos are quick to take advantage of.
The enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding the holidays create a shift in retail activity. Something that businesses must prepare for strategically.
For companies involved in logistics, warehousing, or transportation, this period demands extra attention and efficiency. The last quarter of the year typically brings increased order volumes, higher delivery demands, and tighter schedules.
With a well-structured logistics strategy that will be tackled in this blog, businesses can streamline operations, control expenses, and boost revenue—all while meeting customer expectations during the busiest shopping season of the year.
Importance of a Well-Planned Logistics during ‘BER Months
Effective logistics planning is essential for every business, especially during the holiday season, to ensure the fast and efficient movement of goods from the warehouse to clients.
Depending on the business owner’s preferences, deliveries can be made into one bulk delivery (ideal for retailers such as supermarkets or department stores) or sent directly to the client’s doorstep.
Either way, it’s important to remember the value of real-time tracking in the logistics industry, not only for business owners but also for customers who expect to receive their packages on time.
Best Logistics Strategies to Help You Prepare for the Holiday Rush
1. Forecast Customer Demand Ahead Of Time
Create an effective logistics management plan. If you’ve been in the industry for so long, it will be easier to anticipate market demands.
However, if the process is still new to you, then it is best to review previous logistics demand forecasting documents to easily make data-driven decisions.
“Accurate planning seeks to achieve more work in the least possible time and to earn more profits for the company. – WSI”
Aside from product quality, the logistics plan should include backup measures to handle last-minute cancellations or customer complaints during the busiest months of the year (from September to December).
2. Ensure Effective Warehouse Management for Faster Order Fulfillment
Reliable supply chain operations are supported by an organized warehouse that caters to specific product needs. Remember, informed decisions do not start once the products have been delivered, but rather begin with order fulfillment.
For instance, perishable goods such as dairy products require temperature-controlled facilities like a cold storage warehouse. On the other hand, dry products like grains and spices must be stored in a dry storage warehouse.
Anticipate the number of orders that you will receive in ‘BER months and have a precise warehouse inventory to check your stocks.
SUPPLY CHAIN TIP: Maximize storage space with vertical storage columns, making it easier to find items quickly during urgent holiday orders and deliveries.
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3. Use Proper Modes of Transportation for Different Types of Goods
Modes of transportation vary depending on the classification of products. For example, if it’s raw materials (e.g., rice, cooking oil, canned goods), then they will be transported via a dry van truck. Meanwhile, if products are deemed to be perishables (e.g., meat, vegetables, and medicines), then they will be transported by reefer vans to ensure product quality remains intact.
HELPFUL REMINDER: Always prioritize product safety on or before the transportation of goods, as the health of customers depends on it.
Opting for the shortest yet safest delivery routes not only reduces operational costs but also becomes a gateway to improving customer satisfaction. Most especially when the products are delivered to them right on schedule.
Still, it’s important to think ahead and prepare for potential hurdles in logistics operations during the holiday season.
Consider the challenges of on-time delivery during the ‘BER months in the Philippines
September marks the start of the rainy season in the Philippines. Without proper flood control (which is now a key matter of discussion in the Philippine Senate), heavy downpours often lead to flooding, traffic jams, and even stalled vehicles on busy roads caused by the holiday rush.
How real-time tracking in logistics can save you from the trouble of late deliveries
Always keep clients updated on their orders through real-time data tracking and clear estimated arrival times, as delays are common during the holiday season.
4. Adopt Logistics Automation Tools into Your Operations
The logistics industry is becoming more technology-driven these days, and automation is at the center of it. With modern logistics management software, you can:
- Have a more organized transport of goods
- Provide real-time updates to your customers
- Negotiate your rates properly
- Quickly identify operational errors when they arise
HELPFUL REMINDER: Without proper automation, your business can struggle to access real-time insights, which can potentially slow down your decision-making and overall efficiency.
To better understand its impact on business, take a look at the examples of supply chain software below.
These automation tools don’t just streamline processes; they also give you full transparency in tracking and monitoring shipments. This leads to greater efficiency in logistics operations and helps improve your revenue through cost savings.
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5. Hire an Efficient Workforce to Boost Your Productivity
Automating your processes would not be possible without people who can operate them. Keep in mind that in any business, increasing productivity means hiring the right people who are capable of delivering high-quality service.
Well-trained staff are often updated on industry trends and can adapt to process automation. A good example of this is a logistics manager with strong leadership and decision-making skills who can further strengthen your operations.
HELPFUL REMINDER: Hiring the right people is a key component of cost-effective logistics solutions, as it prevents you from wasting resources on underperforming staff
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Improve Your Business Efficiency and Effectiveness with the Help of a Reliable Logistics Company this ‘BER Season
Effective logistics solutions include partnering with a reliable and experienced logistics company that can handle rush orders, especially during the holiday season. That’s why you should make sure to choose a trusted logistics company like Toplis Logistics that can deliver quickly to your customers.
Why Toplis Logistics Is the Company You Can Trust This Holiday Season?
Our service offerings at Toplis Logistics go far beyond increasing efficiency with fast deliveries. We also offer warehouse management tailored to the specific needs of your products, as well as workforce solutions to operate these facilities, especially during peak season. In essence, Toplis Logistics is your one-stop shop for all your logistics needs.
Conclusion
If you’ve come this far, it means you are now educated on how to formulate a logistics plan that can anticipate holiday orders. You also understand the importance of identifying the right warehouse based on product classification.
You are also aware that the next step is assigning the proper vehicle to maintain the quality of goods and hiring the right people for operations. Finally, you’ll be able to find a trusted local logistics provider that can handle all these processes for your convenience.
The bottom line is that rush orders may seem challenging, especially during the holiday season. However, with a reliable logistics company by your side, managing these situations becomes much easier.
Boost Your Efficiency this Holiday Season with Real-Time Logistics
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