Turn the Ember-Month Surge Into Seamless Deliveries

Succeeding during this period isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about setting a new standard for operational excellence. Here’s how to transform potential chaos into your most successful quarter yet.

1. Build a Strong Foundation (Late August – Mid-September)

Peak-season success starts long before the first rush order lands. Use this window to shore up your logistics and eliminate hidden weaknesses.

• Audit Your Logistics Process
  Take a hard look at your current operations. Are there bottlenecks causing delivery delays? Are you losing money to inefficient stock management or unexpected costs? Identifying and addressing these issues now will pay dividends when volumes spike.

• Engage Suppliers Early
  Reach out to your suppliers to clarify their holiday schedules, lead times, and capacity. Early communication ensures you’re never caught off guard by stock shortages or unexpected delays.

• Analyze Last Year’s Performance
  Review your sales and delivery data from last year. Which products moved fastest? Where did your logistics falter? Use these insights to fine-tune your 2025 strategy.

2. Strengthen Your Operations (Mid-September – October)

With your groundwork in place, it’s time to scale up intelligently.

• Stock Up on High-Demand Products
  Boost inventory for your best sellers and organize your storage for swift, accurate order fulfillment. Clear labeling and logical layouts will make a difference.

• Prepare Your Team
  Whether you’re onboarding seasonal staff or upskilling your core team, ensure everyone understands their roles and protocols for peak periods.

• Stress-Test Your Fleet and Courier Partnerships
  If you own your delivery fleet, complete all servicing well before the rush. If you rely on courier partners, confirm their holiday readiness, understand any surcharge policies, and have a backup plan in place.

The right tools can take your logistics from reactive to proactive.

• Automate Inventory Management
  Manual tracking won’t suffice at scale. Invest in automated systems that sync stock levels across all sales channels, preventing overselling and protecting your brand’s reputation.

• Monitor Key Performance Metrics
  Keep a close eye on figures like On-Time In-Full (OTIF) deliveries and cost per shipment. These numbers are your early warning system for potential trouble spots.

• Optimize Delivery Routes
  Use route optimization tools to minimize fuel costs, reduce delivery times, and meet customer promises even when traffic and demand are at their peak.

• Centralize Visibility with Cloud Platforms
  Platforms like DHL’s MySupplyChain let you track shipments, monitor inventory, and manage documentation in real time, all from a single dashboard.

• Customize Logistics for Each Channel
  Tailor your fulfillment and communication to the needs of each sales platform. Jumia customers might expect structured tracking updates, while Instagram or WhatsApp buyers prefer more personalized, immediate contact.

4. Proactively Manage Risk and Disruptions

Even the best plans face the unexpected. Prepare for it.

• Partner with Experienced Providers
  Choose logistics partners familiar with Nigeria’s unique transport challenges. The right provider will navigate customs, tackle difficult routes, and offer real-time tracking to keep you and your customers informed.

• Safeguard Your Supply Chain
  Build contingency plans for accidents, theft, or delays, and protect your business with comprehensive insurance.

In peak season, every delivery counts. Delays, stockouts, or missed updates can erode customer trust overnight. But with the right preparation, you can turn these high-stakes months into a showcase of reliability and service.

Ready to Deliver?

September’s surge is an opportunity to elevate your logistics and your brand. Start with a thorough audit, embrace the right technologies, and choose partners who can deliver under pressure.

At DHL, we’re ready to help your business thrive this festive season. With preferential rates, dependable shipping, customs expertise, and insights built on decades of experience, you can focus on growth while we handle the logistics. Open a DHL business account today, and let’s deliver success together across Nigeria.