With that in mind, here are five things that facilities should consider when preparing for periods of peak demand:
1. Supply chain readiness
Peak season demand can put pressures on supply chains long before customer orders increase. Getting ahead of potential shortages and delivery delays can help your business maintain production and avoid any unnecessary disruption when demand is at its highest.
- Confirm availability of raw materials well in advance
- Communicate proactively with suppliers to avoid last-minute disruptions
- Build buffer stock where possible – especially for high-demand SKUs
- Diversify suppliers or source locally to reduce shipping risk / delays
2. Production scheduling and flexibility
When demand increases, production needs to be able to respond without comprising efficiency or quality. Unnecessary pressures can be avoided by building flexibility into schedules, allowing sufficient response times if unexpected peaks occur.
- Optimise production runs for efficiency and reduced changeover times
- Consider extending shifts, adding temporary labour or running overtime
- Build contingency capacity for urgent or unexpected orders
- Implement a freeze or cut-off date for non-critical orders
3. Workforce planning and morale
Additional demand can often mean additional people, longer shifts or changes to working patterns. Planning the workforce early and ensuring your employees have the right support and facilities they need, can help maintain both productivity and morale.
- Plan staff shifts and communicate them early
- Consider offering incentives, rewards or flexible holiday scheduling to support morale
- Train temporary or seasonal workers in advance to maintain quality and consistency
- Promote safety and ensure higher output does not lead to higher risk
- Ensure welfare facilities are up to date, with sufficient toilets, changing rooms and lockers
4. Inventory and warehouse management
As stock levels and order volumes increase, small inefficiencies can quickly become bigger operational bottlenecks. Reviewing how your inventory is organised and how goods move through the warehouse, can help maintain a smooth flow during those peak seasonal periods.
- Audit inventory to ensure real-time accuracy
- Organise warehouse layouts to speed up picking and packing
- Implement FIFO or FEFO strategies to manage shelf life and returns
- Consider staging areas to support faster dispatch during peak weeks
5. Logistics and shipping coordination
The final stages of the operation can come under significant pressure during peak festive periods, especially when transport capacity is limited. Coordinating logistics early can help your business avoid delays, manage customer expectations and maintain continuity.
- Book transport and logistics partners well in advance
- Understand carrier cut-off dates and potential delivery constraints
- Offer earlier shipping to B2B customers to reduce congestion
- Explore third-party logistics (3PL) providers where additional capacity is needed
Getting Christmas right isn’t just about meeting deadlines, it’s about protecting your reputation, keeping your teams motivated, and seizing the seasonal surge in demand. Facilities that plan early will find themselves ahead of the curve, while those that wait risk supply disruptions, production bottlenecks, and missed opportunities. Start preparing now, and you’ll turn the festive rush into a competitive advantage.
Portakabin provides risk-free, ready-to-hire spaces, from employee rest areas, to click and collect hubs and return facilities, as well as overflow storage areas and high-quality changing rooms. To discuss your next project speak to a member of our team or complete the form below.
