Did you survive Black Friday, or did your warehouse turn into complete chaos?
Black Friday can give your business a massive boost. Orders pour in, revenue climbs, and the marketing team is firing on all cylinders. But the real challenge? Handling the logistics. A sudden spike in orders can lead to stockouts or late deliveries if you’re not prepared. Here are six essential tips to help your warehouse get ready for peak moments like Black Friday.
1. Check your inventory levels in advance
Long before the rush, assess whether your stock can handle the spike. If not, place additional orders with your supplier — early! Waiting until the last minute risks stockouts, which can result in lost revenue or unhappy customers. Long wait times lead to negative reviews, and in e-commerce, those reviews can hurt your brand fast.
2. Inspect your warehouse before the rush
Inventory quantity matters, but so does where and how it’s stored. If you manage stock across multiple locations, check them all. Don’t just rely on numbers — do a manual count. Use this moment to tidy up your warehouse: restock packaging materials, remove empty boxes, and keep aisles clear. Even if your stock is on point, missing packaging can stall everything.
3. Ensure sufficient staffing during peak times
It’s hard to predict how successful your Black Friday promo will be. If it’s a hit, your regular staff may not keep up. Plan ahead by freeing up team members from other departments who can step in when needed. With enough helping hands, you’ll be able to process and ship all orders on time.
4. Set up extra packing stations
Extra people without extra space won’t help much. Even if you only have one regular packer, set up at least two packing tables. This way, an additional person can step in during busy periods, instantly doubling your packing capacity. Avoid makeshift setups — efficiency depends on well-equipped stations.
5. Use a solid inventory management system
Track all incoming and outgoing goods with a proper system. Webship offers a powerful tool: Webship Online. This cloud-based software allows you to pick multiple orders at once with optimized routes through the warehouse. Less walking, faster processing. Shipping labels are auto-filled and printed instantly — no manual data entry needed. That’s serious time saved!
6. Coordinate with your shipping partners
You likely already have agreements with shipping carriers, but during peak times, volumes surge. Notify your carriers ahead of time so they can allocate more space or schedule additional pickups. A simple heads-up can prevent major delays.
