As businesses prepare for the busy holiday shipping season, companies shipping time- and temperature-sensitive products must take action soon to ensure their operations are aligned to deliver customer satisfaction during the peak shipping months.
Delays are expensive and can be costly on multiple levels for all businesses. When packages fail to arrive on time, there is disappointment, and sometimes, returns and loss of a sale or customer. For shipments with perishable goods, the loss is two-fold: a disappointing customer encounter and potentially the loss of the product.
From sellers of gourmet foods, products, and meal kit companies to florists and medical suppliers, businesses shipping perishable products face unique challenges during the latter part of the year, including extreme weather fluctuations and increased holiday shipping activity. Carriers revise their operations and add staff and resources to address the increase in activity. Weather delays have to be addressed in real-time as they occur.
Shipping perishable goods during the holidays isn’t just logistics—it’s make-or-break for quality, brand reputation, and customer trust. Businesses should plan to get ahead of the chaos and deliver freshness—on time and uncompromised.
Here are some top tips for shipping perishable goods this holiday season.
1. Plan holiday shipping now. Carriers change delivery schedules and impose surcharges during the peak season. Build a holiday shipping calendar that includes carrier deadlines, fulfillment timelines, and backup plans. Share clear delivery expectations with your customers and employees well in advance.
2. Reinforce cold chain packaging. Protect products against both freezing and warming, depending on the requirements of your product and its destination. Test your packaging in advance using mock shipments. Consult with experts to ensure that your insulation, refrigerants, and materials can withstand real-world transit conditions.
3. Partner with a perishable logistics expert. Standard shipping services often fall short when timing and temperature are critical. Invest in finding a partner to provide real-time shipment monitoring, weather tracking, and proactive issue resolution tailored for time-sensitive and perishable goods. While you’re at your busiest time of year for operating your business, find a trusted and informed partner to manage logistics challenges.
4. Set realistic last-minute order policies. Define clear cut-off dates for holiday orders that guarantee delivery in time for the holidays. Balance operational capacity and costs to ensure expectations are met and customer disappointment is avoided. Consider offering incentives for people who place orders early.
5. Use data to guide decision making. Analyze historical shipping data, product demand trends, and past delivery issues to improve routing and inventory planning. Look for actionable insights from prior holiday seasons and tailor solutions to address the unique requirements of your businesses. New to shipping? Discuss options with trusted advisors and colleagues for their thoughts. Consider hiring a logistics expert to provide insights that will save time and money.
6. Communicate early and often. Customer expectations are increased during the holiday season. People who purchase infrequently become active shoppers. Prevent misunderstandings by clearly displaying order deadlines, delivery windows, and product handling tips on your website and order confirmations.
7. Build in flexibility and redundancy. Delays happen, especially with weather challenges and carrier capacity constraints. Determine ways to reroute shipments, when needed. Check with your carriers regarding ways to prevent delays. Consider adding options to your operations team to provide last-mile support and address challenges. Doing so will reduce disruptions and ensure perishable goods arrive in peak condition. Always keep your unique dynamic in mind. Most packages can withstand a delay of a couple of days. When shipping perishable and time-sensitive goods, delays may involve a complete loss of the product or opportunity.
8. Prepare and empower your team. Train your staff now on cold chain protocols, packing procedures, customer service policies, and escalation paths. Prepare them for increased activity. You don’t want to train or coach your staff when expertise and speed are needed most. A confident, trained, and informed team is your best defense against seasonal stress.
9. Audit your entire shipping workflow. From order intake to final-mile delivery, identify gaps in staffing, supplies, or processes. Make certain to have plenty of shipping materials in inventory and ready for use, create contingency plans, and align your operations to meet elevated holiday demand. This is your chance to take advantage of the peak buying season. Grow your business and provide the best experience possible for your customers to keep them buying all year long and returning as a holiday buyer for the 2026 holiday season.
10. Prioritize the post-delivery experience. Customer satisfaction doesn’t stop when the box arrives. Follow up, collect feedback, and respond quickly to any delivery issues. A proactive post-sale approach turns potential complaints into loyalty-building moments.
Every degree, every hour, and every interaction matter, especially when you’re shipping perishables. With careful planning and a well-developed operations management plan, businesses can deliver not just products, but peace of mind this holiday season.
