Back to school season is upon us. The second biggest shopping season in the United States will affect an estimated 29 million households and more than 52 million children this year. In a recent survey by Deloitte, late summer shopping season is expected to generate an estimated $27 billion in revenue, 81 percent of which, roughly $21 billion, will go to the big retailers like WalMart, Target and Staples.
Brands like 5 Star and Mead are shipped in bulk to the big retailers in order to meet the demand of the nation’s consumers. Office supply companies like ACCO have taken the necessary steps to improve their shipping efficiency during this annual high volume period.
The maintaining of a steady supply chain is vital for retailers during this time of year in order to accommodate customers both in-store and online. Here are a few tips for companies looking to maintain their supply chain during this abnormally demanding time.
Tip #1: Maximize the amount of time your trucks are hauling inventory.
There’s a finite number of trucks available to ship goods to the store. Therefore it’s paramount that every truck available is hauling inventory whenever possible to sustain the flow of goods thus supporting the supply and meeting the demand. The act of minimizing the reloading period in the delivery cycle goes a long way to increase overall efficiency.
Tip #2: Avoid empty trucks.
While experiencing periods of high demand, it’s crucial to make every delivery trip count. Each truck should be loaded in a fashion that makes the best use of available space in order to maximize the amount of inventory able to be shipped. A key component to efficiency in the supply chain is capitalizing on every opportunity to improve the way in which goods are shipped.
Tip #3: Choose the most efficient routes for shipping.
The choice of efficient trucking routes is the easiest and fastest way for shipping companies to increase efficiency. In finding the quickest path from Point A to Point B, you’ll decrease delivery time, therefore increasing the number of possible deliveries able to be made. Also, less travel time means less fuel being burned which can lead to less company overhead.
Companies should always strive to maximize their shipping efficiency. The adoption of new methods and incorporating them into your current strategies is what sets successful companies apart from the rest. Innovations in efficiency development will only continue and companies like SmartWay Transportation are on the cutting edge of the shipping industry. With top quality logistics and planning, SmartWay Transportation can help keep your shipping practices efficient and your customers happy. To stay up-to-date on the discussion of effective practices in the transportation and logistics industry, we encourage you to follow us on Facebook.