6 Steps to Help Your Business Manage Surges in Demand

Is your e-commerce business truly prepared to deal with demand surges? if not, you could have some very disappointed customers on your hands. read on for our top tips on how to prepare for the unpredictable.

Plan, plan and plan

Firstly, you should fill your e-commerce business calendar with all the dates and holidays you know will be busy over the coming year. Think Valentine’s Day, Black Friday, the Christmas season, and even Amazon Prime Day, when savvy online retailers can benefit from the “ripple effect” of an increased number of shoppers online.

A good tip is to look at your sales analytics from last year’s peak periods to see which products sold well and what days are likely to be your busiest.

Talk to your suppliers

Clear communication with your suppliers is crucial during periods of fluctuating demand. Relationships with suppliers are built and nurtured over time – you want ones you can trust not to let you down at crucial moments so select carefully! Keep in regular contact and have conversations to understand what their limitations may be during busy periods.

Be clear with your customers

Don’t make promises you can’t keep, otherwise you risk damaging your brand reputation. During busy periods, let customers know you’re experiencing high demand and be transparent about any delays in shipping times that may be occurring as a result. If something sells out on your website, add a pop-up to the product page that allows customers to request an email alerting them when it’s back in stock.   

Monitor your inventory closely

During surge periods, staying on top of your inventory is crucial. If you’re an omnichannel retailer selling through several channels, this can become very complex, which is why using an inventory management system is important. It can automatically track, in real time, stock level updates across your warehouse and online channels so you always know what you need to order more of – before it sells out. Head online and do some research to find the best one for your business’s needs.

Be flexible

Ultimately, agility is crucial. Be flexible with your sales strategy – if you’ve sold out of something, and are unable to replenish your stock quickly, offer deals and discounts on products you do have in stock and stick them front and center of your website’s homepage.

You can also use low-running stock to your advantage. Adding a “get it whilst you can” banner to popular products on your e-commerce website will create a sense of urgency amongst customers and incentivize them to buy.

Remember delivery!

Though spikes in demand can be unpredictable, there’s one thing that will always remain consistent within e-commerce: customers wanting their orders delivered quickly and on time. By partnering with DHL, you can guarantee your customers Express shipping, with full tracking and notifications – wherever they are in the world. Delivery is the part of your supply chain that impacts customers the most – best to get it right!

July 15, 2022