7 Must-Do Steps to Prep Your Fulfillment for Peak Season 2025

Peak Season Is Coming—Is Your Fulfillment Strategy Ready?

With Q4 approaching, ecommerce brands and retailers are bracing for the biggest surge of the year. Peak season 2025 will test your fulfillment operation’s ability to scale, stay accurate, and meet rising customer expectations.

Here’s how to build a fulfillment strategy that’s ready for the holiday rush.

1. Analyze Last Year’s Data

Look at historical order volumes, top-selling SKUs, and carrier delays from the 2024 season. Identify patterns in customer behavior and supply chain bottlenecks to guide your forecasts.

2. Forecast Demand Accurately

Don’t just stock up—stock smart. Use your sales data, trends, and marketing calendar to forecast demand by SKU. Factor in promotions, marketplace sales, and any new product launches.

3. Plan Inventory Distribution

Split your inventory across multiple warehouse locations to stay closer to your customers and ship faster. This reduces your reliance on express shipping and cuts costs during peak season.

4. Strengthen Warehouse Labor

Peak season isn’t just about having more stock—it’s about getting orders out fast. Whether you’re using your own warehouse or working with a 3PL, make sure scalable labor is in place to handle surges.

5. Get Ahead on Packaging

Review your packaging materials now. Make sure you have enough boxes, mailers, inserts, and tape—especially if you're using custom branding for holiday orders. Also, consider box optimization software to reduce dimensional weight charges.

6. Communicate Shipping Cutoffs Early

Customers want clarity during the holiday season. Post your cutoff dates clearly on your site, and align those dates with your carrier’s official deadlines.

7. Build in Carrier Flexibility

Carrier delays are common in Q4. Rate shopping between carriers and building backup options into your strategy can help prevent missed deliveries and keep your customers happy.

How 3PL Center Supports Your Peak Season

Partnering with 3PL Center means you’re not going into peak season alone. We offer:

Nationwide warehouse locations for faster delivery


Scalable labor and same-day fulfillment


Box optimization and rate shopping tools


Real-time tracking and inventory visibility


Reduced surcharges and discounted carrier rates


Higher DIM factor to help you save on shipping

Whether you’re shipping DTC, retail, or both, we’re ready to help you handle volume and keep orders flowing smoothly.

Get Peak-Ready with 3PL Center

Peak fulfillment success starts with the right plan—and the right partner. From scalable labor to box optimization and nationwide warehouse support, 3PL Center has the tools and experience to help your business thrive this holiday season. Contact us to start prepping your demand fulfillment strategy today.

Let’s Make This Your Smoothest Peak Season Yet