Peak season refers to the busiest period of the year. In other words, this is the time when you have the highest sales or demand for your products and services. High demand for products means ensuring packaging supplies and smooth logistics. Suppose you have been running a company to provide your clients with packaging services to transport their goods from A to B. When your clients’ businesses are at their peak, your business will also be at its peak, as you will have to ensure smooth and fast packaging services.

This seems easy, but it is not. Many companies outsource packaging with the hope that they will be able to focus on core activities. Do not forget that their customer expectations are linked to your packaging services too. If the packaging is faulty, customers will have to return the product. This will cause unnecessary hassle to customers, companies, and you as well.

Even if you do not outsource the packaging services, you will experience your services being affected during the peak season. Having adequate packaging material is paramount. By accounts of businesses, packaging time increases by 30% during the peak season. There is no doubt that peak season can be incredibly challenging.

Ways to streamline packaging expenses during the peak period

Here are the ways to streamline packaging expenses during the peak period:

• Train staff in advance

During the peak season, the staff will have to increase the speed. It is important that you train your staff well, so they know what they are expected to deliver. When order volumes begin to increase, you will have to consider an influx of more trained staff.

While training is a must, you can rely on other methods to ensure that your staff knows quick ways to wrap up products. For instance, the use of posters, manuals and guides can help staff follow procedures correctly and ensure the smooth running of your business.

• Organise space

While training staff is essential to ensure maximum efficiency during the packaging of products, this is not the only method to ensure smooth packaging. There are some other ways as well. One of them is to optimise warehouse space.

When the demand for products increases, you will certainly notice an influx of packaging supplies. Inefficient packaging can result in a bad customer experience. If you do not have enough space, you can use some space in your warehouse. Hire more staff to ensure smooth packaging services.

• Ensure your staff does not take too much time in packaging

It is worth ensuring that your staff does not take too much time packing products. Do not forget that you have to get your product delivered on time. If your staff is inactive or slow, you will not be able to deliver your products to your customers on time. This will affect the reputation of your company, and soon your customers will leave you for your competitors. If you want to streak ahead in the race of competition, you should always ensure that you keep your customers happy.

In order to ensure that your staff does not spend too much time in the packaging process, you should review the entire packaging process and see where you can make some improvements. Try to make the entire process a little easier and less time-consuming.

Make sure that you have enough supplies for packaging. A deadline must be set for your staff on how many orders they have to pack per day. This will ensure that you are able to deliver products on time. If your staff is well-trained, they will be able to perform well and offer higher productivity.

In order to ensure that your staff has enough packaging supplies, you will have to order materials in bulk. Make sure that they have everything in advance, so no single moment is wasted in arranging what they need to ensure smooth packaging. In case you do not have enough money to meet the cost of all supplies for packaging, you can consider using quick business loans with no credit checks in the UK. At the time of using these loans, make sure that you will easily handle payments.

• Switch to custom packaging

Another way to streamline your packaging expenses during the peak business season is to switch to custom boxes. One of the benefits of bespoke packaging is that it provides better protection during transit. It is the most effective packaging for breakable items. Another benefit is that it can be easier and quicker to assemble.

Custom boxes also reduce the amount of space, which, in turn, reduces the transportation cost. If you use the material for packaging that is eco-friendly, you will be able to get additional discounts. Custom-sized boxes could save you a lot of money, especially when they are eco-friendly. Customised packaging can also improve the reputation of your brand. It ensures a much-improved customer experience.

If you want to switch to bespoke packaging, you may have to spend some time planning and arranging funds. In case you do not have enough money to invest in it, you can take out a business loan. Talk to asset finance brokers in the UK. They would be able to help you choose the right financial product.

• Outsource packaging inventory

Outsourcing packaging inventory can reduce your time, effort and cost. Outsourcing means you do not have to keep the stock of packaging inventory. You will rather be dependent on a third party. The biggest benefit of outsourcing is that the packaging material will be readily available. Another benefit is that you will get the material as per your needs, so you do not have to overstock it in your warehouse.

Overstocking can reduce the space you need for storing packaging materials, and therefore, you can effectively organise your warehouse space for other purposes.

The bottom line

Packaging demand can significantly increase the burden on you during the peak business, but with proper planning and strategy, you can reduce its impact. Ensure that your staff is well-trained. Make sure that they follow the easiest and quickest way to pack your product. This will help you improve your business success significantly. You can outsource your packaging inventory. This will help you reduce the cost of packaging.

In case you need to borrow money to ensure smooth packaging operations, you can consider consulting a broker. They would guide you about the options available to you. They could even help you arrange the best lender.