Black Friday fulfilment - Common issues and their solutions

Every year, Black Friday arrives like the Olympics of eCommerce - complete with rigorous preparation, high stakes, and the occasional dash to the finish line. In the UK, retailers often face significant challenges during this period. For instance, a study revealed that 57% of UK consumers are sceptical about discounts offered by stores during Black Friday, with 46% claiming to have seen the same items on 'sale' for cheaper elsewhere in the year.

Additionally, in 2023, anticipated UK spending for Black Friday was projected to fall by almost a quarter, from £7.1bn in 2022 to £5.6bn, indicating a shift in consumer behaviour and spending patterns.

These statistics highlight the hurdles retailers must overcome to ensure a successful Black Friday. Let fulfilmentcrowd be your coach, sharing a winning strategy to help you bring home the gold. And yes, get ready for multiple Olympic-themed puns throughout this article. You’re welcome.

Scalability: Training for the main event

When it comes to Black Friday, scalability is your starting block. One minute, things are business as usual; the next, you’re up to your eyeballs in orders. Without the flexibility to scale quickly, you’ll be feeling more like a marathon runner on mile 25 than a sprinter hitting their stride. Think Mo Farah falling on a giant treadmill, rather than Usain Bolt taking time to smile at the camera during the 2016 100m semi-final. Exactly.

Common problems:

• Limited warehousing space and exhausted team members
• Delays that add up faster than penalties
• Risk of mistakes as the pressure mounts.

Our solution:
fulfilmentcrowd’s expandable warehousing network

Our team doesn’t just warm up for Black Friday; we go all out. With fulfilmentcrowd’s responsive warehousing, you’re set to flex as orders flood in. Think of it as having the stamina of an endurance athlete - with space, resources, and support scaling up in sync with your orders. Last Black Friday, our clients handled a 25% boost in sales without even breaking a sweat (just a bit of kicking and screaming).

 

Top tip: Set up a good training routine

Pre-sorting high-demand items and reviewing stock placement keeps things flowing smoothly. And don’t worry, our 24/7 support team is on hand to cheer you on, whether you’re sprinting through peak sales or coasting through daily demand.

Forecasting demand: Predicting the medal count

Black Friday forecasting is more art than science - like predicting the final medal count before the opening ceremony. Too much stock? You’ll be dealing with the aftereffects well into spring. Too little? You’re out before you even had a chance to shine. It’s all about finding the perfect pace.

Common problems:

• Overstock or understock (a tough balancing act)
• Surges that disrupt your flow
• Wasted resources on low-demand items.

Our solution: Data-driven insights from fulfilmentcrowd 

We’re here to help you pace yourself with the best data-driven insights around. Our software taps into everything from last year’s trends to the latest TikTok fads (because you never know when you might go viral). By using fulfilmentcrowd’s forecasting tools, you’ll know exactly how much stock to hold, so you’re ready for Black Friday’s sales marathon.

Top tip: Review your stats and get in sync with demand 

Check the data, track the trends, and be ready to sprint when orders roll in. And if it’s all a bit overwhelming, our data analysts will break down the numbers like a seasoned coach preparing the team for victory. Full team ahead.

Speed and efficiency: Pace, the final frontier

When it’s Black Friday, customers expect their orders fast. Their fingers have gotten a workout after all that scrolling and clicking. For you, it’s time to start pumping that proverbial packing muscle and get their orders out just as quickly. If your fulfilment process can’t keep up, you risk losing the race (and customer loyalty). The solution? Optimise your speed and tell the competition to jog off (disclaimer: please don’t tell them we told you to do this).

Common problems:

• Delays that stretch into marathon times
• Higher risk of order errors as the clock ticks
• Dissatisfied customers left waiting at the finish line.

Our solution: fulfilmentcrowd’s streamlined fulfilment approach 

With fulfilmentcrowd, you’re running the ultimate relay - automated order processing, smart sorting, and prioritised shipping. Our software keeps everything in sync, helping you get orders out the door as quickly as Usain Bolt on his best day (or even on his worst day).

Top tip: Perfect your handoffs 

From the warehouse to delivery, ensure every stage runs like clockwork. And our tracking feature keeps customers in the loop, so they’re never left wondering if their order is on the right track.

Managing returns: Tackling the vault

Returns can feel like a daunting vault routine - you don’t want to stumble. Or similarly, it can be compared to the high-jump. That height of returns just seems to increase every single year and, before you know it, you’ve knocked the post of its stilts. Post-Black Friday returns are inevitable, but with the right system, they don’t have to knock you off balance. 

Common problems:

• High return rates adding pressure to the team
• Additional handling costs that eat into profits
• Restocking headaches when items boomerang back.

Our solution: Easy, efficient returns management with fulfilmentcrowd

With fulfilmentcrowd’s returns portal, managing returns is more like a smooth floor routine than an awkward stumble (or a giant penis blunder). Customers can initiate returns in a few clicks, and our system routes them back into inventory in record time. And because we’re partnered with top couriers, you get competitive rates for return shipping.

 

Top tip: Stick the landing

By setting clear return policies and optimising reverse logistics, you’ll be ready for the inevitable post-Black Friday returns wave. And remember, smooth returns equal happy customers - and a good score from the judges (your customers, that is).

Customer service support: handling the crowd

Black Friday also means a crowd of customers with questions. And without the right support in place, your customer service team will be feeling the heat like they’re competing in the decathlon with no rest breaks.

Common problems:

• A surge of customer queries that would tire even the pros
• Delayed responses that lower satisfaction scores
• Frustrated customers waiting for answers.

Our solution: Proactive support through fulfilmentcrowd’s integrated tools

Our system keeps customers in the loop from start to finish, cutting down on the volume of “Where’s my order?” emails. Real-time order updates and proactive notifications mean fewer questions, faster answers, and happier customers.

Top tip: Be the coach your customers need

Use automation to handle common queries, freeing your team to deal with the big stuff. Our self-service options and tracking updates make it easy for customers to check on their own orders, so your team can stay focused on the finish line.

Cost efficiency: Going for gold without breaking the budget

Black Friday sales can be profitable, but not if you blow your budget in the process. Like a savvy athlete, you need to spend wisely, maximising every pound to keep profits healthy.

Common problems:

• Higher fulfilment and shipping costs than expected
• Difficulty maintaining profit margins
• Resource strain as temporary costs skyrocket.

Our solution: Affordable fulfilment through fulfilmentcrowd’s network 

Thanks to fulfilmentcrowd’s partnerships with top suppliers and couriers, we keep costs down even during peak season. By using our bulk shipping and flexible warehousing options, you’ll save money while delivering the fast, high-quality fulfilment your customers expect. It’s all about getting that gold without breaking the bank.

 

Top tip: Play smart, save smart

Our cost analysis tools help you track spending so you know where to cut back and where to invest. With fulfilmentcrowd, you can compete like a pro without overspending.

Keep calm and go for gold... with us!

Black Friday might feel like the eCommerce Olympics, but with the right support and a solid game plan, you can bring home the gold. Whether it’s scaling up, speeding up, or handling returns, fulfilmentcrowd has you covered every step of the way.