There’s no denying that logistics and distribution companies are enjoying a big boost in sales from the ongoing boom in ecommerce businesses. And why not? They provide all the services even the smallest start-up needs to get an ecommerce operation up and running quickly.

But it also means that distribution companies are exposed to ecommerce marketplace realities that can be quite different from their traditional markets. One of those is the holiday season. Brick and mortar retailers tend to ‘stock-up’ well in advance of the season to take advantage of holiday sales.

But ecommerce retailers depend more on ‘just-in-time’ delivery. And in 2014, the holiday season provides at least two more new challenges for distribution companies.

 1.  Shorter Sales Season – Black Friday started in the U.S., based on the fact that their Thanksgiving Day holiday gives many people the chance to take a four-day weekend with only one vacation day. That day is Black Friday. But the popularity of the day as a start to Christmas shopping has been spread by retailers and marketers north of the border into Canada. So it’s the unofficial kick-off to holiday shopping across North America.

 In 2014, there are only 26 shopping days between Black Friday and Christmas Day, which means the potential for fewer sales, versus a longer season, is higher.

 2.  Bigger Rush on Deliveries – If there is pressure on ecommerce retailers to meet or exceed the sales figures of longer selling seasons,     distribution companies will face the pressure of preparing and delivering the usual high number of orders, or more, in a shorter timeframe.

 If you want to make it a `Happy Holiday’ sales season for your ecommerce customers, get ready to test the limits of your warehousing, logistics and delivery services.

Image Source: www.invesp.com