Supply Chains and the Holiday Season

Every year it seems like the holiday season starts earlier and earlier. Consumers start looking for the best deals on the best products in early fall. This increased demand prior to the bigger shopping days in November and December can cause havoc on a supply chain. It is very important to plan ahead and plan well prior to the very busy holiday season.

Ideally, a company could hope that their plan for the holiday season will work out with little to no kinks or hiccups in the supply chain. Unfortunately, this is a very unrealistic hope. Manufacturers and retailers are working overtime during the holiday season. As a result, often times one can find mistakes in invoices or manufacturing that can throw a supply chain off track. Weather is also another factor during this season that can delay a supply chain. All it takes is one storm to ground planes or block roads, and shipments arrive days later than expected. These kinds of delays result in lost sales and unhappy consumers.

These are all reasons that companies need to plan cautiously and work vigorously when planning for the holiday season. It is important to make the best of each issue as it comes, and to make sure that lines of communication are open and clear for every step of the supply chain. Taking precautions and communicating effectively are the best ways to prevent chaos in a supply chain this and every holiday season.

-Devon Anderson

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