Inbound Logistics magazine has published our comprehensive post-peak season fulfillment analysis, revealing critical insights about supply chain performance gaps and how technology solutions can help retailers avoid peak season pain.
Our data-driven peak season industry report exposes a significant 28-point gap between retailer expectations and actual performance during the 2024 holiday season.
Learn how leading companies are achieving 99.9% inventory accuracy while handling record volumes. Read the peak season trends and take action early with the system that handled 1.2% of total US holiday sales in a single peak season.
“It’s never too early to prepare for the holiday peak season, especially with disruptions mounting amid solid consumer spending. Shippers and carriers are employing automation, data-based decision making, and smart inventory management strategies—and tapping into lessons learned from last year—to get into position,” says Karen Kroll in her Inbound Logistics feature, “Taking A Peek At Peak Season.”
Post-peak season analysis reveals performance gap
According to our featured analysis, 93% of supply chain leaders felt confident heading into last year’s holiday rush—but when the dust settled, only 58% reported success in meeting customer expectations for delivery timing and order accuracy. This represents a sobering reality check for retailers preparing for peak season 2025.
Technology shortfalls drive peak season fulfillment challenges
Our fulfillment performance data also reveals three critical areas where supply chain technology and operations fall short during peak season:
- Fulfillment System Performance Issues: While 70% of executives believed their fulfillment systems were up to the task, just 42% report that those systems actually delivered. This technology gap represents one of the most significant barriers to peak season success.
- Workforce Management and Labor Challenges: Despite advanced planning, labor remains a critical pain point. Despite 51% planning to offset workforce demands with automation and seasonal hires, 65% still faced major staffing challenges.
- System Integration Problems: The study exposed widespread overestimation of system capabilities across order management and warehouse management, creating fulfillment bottlenecks during high-demand periods.
Supply chain technology solutions for peak season success
Our analysis identifies three key investment areas that can help retailers avoid peak season pain and improve fulfillment performance: unified supply chain platforms, artificial intelligence-powered workforce optimization, and customer experience technology.
- Integration of unified supply chain platforms combining warehouse management systems and order management systems create seamless fulfillment operations that can handle peak season volume spikes without performance degradation.
- AI-driven workforce optimization tools help mitigate labor volatility by predicting staffing needs, optimizing schedules, and improving productivity during peak fulfillment periods.
- CX-driven technology enhancements that build brand loyalty, even during fulfillment crunches, ensure customer satisfaction remains high despite increased order volumes.
Peak season fulfillment tech investment priorities
Inbound Logistics named our supply chain execution platform to its 2025 Top 100 Logistics & Supply Chain Technology Providers!
Retailers can no longer rely on manual processes or disconnected systems to handle peak season demands. Successful peak season performance requires year-round technology investment and strategic planning.
Supply chain leaders who invest in integrated technologies and enhancements are better positioned to succeed during high-demand periods:
- Meet customer delivery expectations
- Maintain 99%+ order accuracy under pressure
- Optimize workforce productivity
- Reduce fulfillment costs
- Build customer loyalty during peak periods
As you prepare for peak season 2025, how confident are you in your technology investment and system integrations?