Singles’ Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, Boxing Day ... Peak Season is almost here! To help SME Superheros handle the holiday rush and keep their customer promises, our DHL Express experts are sharing their top 10 logistics tips. From coast-to-coast shipping to cross-border deliveries, these insights will help you navigate the busiest time of the year with confidence.
1. Maintain regular supply chain communication
During Peak Season, your to-do list fills fast — from forecasting stock to placing supplier orders and securing a reliable shipping partner. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. With expert logistics support, your business can stay ahead and deliver every time.
“Work with a trusted logistics partner and communicate often – let them in on your marketing strategy and product roadmap so that all parties can prepare for spikes in volume throughout the peak." - Rachel McGarry, Head of E-commerce, DHL Express US
2. Know that first impressions count
You can build brand trust with first-time buyers by partnering with an established name. “DHL on your home page will have a positive impact on conversions if the customer is purchasing on site for the first time.” - Ben Mclean, Head of E-commerce UAE, DHL Express
3. Tap into Artificial Intelligence
AI in logistics is transforming the way businesses ship, track, and deliver — and it’s a trend Canadian companies should embrace this Peak Season to save time and reduce costs. From smarter inventory management to optimized last-mile delivery, discover how AI can help streamline your operations and boost efficiency.
Read more about tapping into Artificial Intelligence here.
4. Offer a personalized customer experience
The key to boosting customer retention lies in offering personalized experiences. By using customer data — such as past purchases or browsing habits — your business can create more meaningful interactions. Try curating gift guides tailored to local shoppers’ preferences, or sending exclusive discount codes for products they’ve already shown interest in. Small touches like these can build loyalty and keep customers coming back.
5. Consider offering free shipping…
Offering free shipping is one of the most powerful ways to encourage customers to complete their purchase. While the cost can be challenging for small businesses, there are smart ways to make it work — like building shipping fees into your product pricing or setting a minimum order value. A small strategy shift today could lead to a big boost in sales this Peak Season.
6. …and international shipping, too!
“I get asked how to enter new markets easily and profitably. I recommend using a trusted partner like DHL to share tools and local insights that enable confident market entry.” - Rachel McGarry, Head of E-commerce, DHL Express US
7. Be transparent with your customers about delivery deadlines
“During Peak Season, it is all about clear and open customer communication. There is no bigger disappointment than a late delivery after the holiday, so be transparent about which date you can guarantee the delivery by.” - Leendert van Delft, VP Global Sales Programs, Development & Global E-commerce, DHL Express
8. Offer convenient delivery options
“I advise merchants to prioritize the delivery experience so that their customer acquisition strategy delivers repeat customers.” - Rachel McGarry, Head of E-commerce, DHL Express US. With On-Demand Delivery, your customers can choose exactly when and where their orders are delivered – with full tracking, too. Offering this at your online checkout is sure to boost your conversion rate.
9. Don’t ignore product returns
E-commerce returns can be a major challenge for small businesses — but they’re here to stay. Building a seamless returns management system helps you process refunds quickly and keep customers satisfied. For a more sustainable approach, consider adopting a reverse logistics strategy, which focuses on recycling, reusing, and repairing returned products to reduce waste and costs.
Read more about reverse logistics here.
10. Choose a trusted logistics partner – like DHL
Your courier is often the only physical touchpoint customers have with your brand — so choosing the right partner matters. For Canadian businesses, speed, international shipping expertise, and reliable delivery should be top priorities to ensure every promise is met and every package arrives on time.
“DHL Express is committed to remaining the partner of choice during the busy end-of-year peak season, which is often the most commercially important and operationally challenging time for many of our customers. Our flexible international network combines high quality service and reliable access to capacity, which allows businesses to react in real-time to changes in consumer demand, supplemented by digital tools that help them to improve the customer experience and optimize pick-up and final mile delivery.” - John Pearson, CEO at DHL Express.
Attention SME Superheroes! With Peak Season nearly here, we know there are a million things for small businesses to consider. But don’t fret! Use our dedicated Peak Season Sales & Logistics Checklist to ensure your business is fully prepared to cash in on every opportunity. Happy selling!
Download your free checklist here
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