Love it or loathe it, Christmas is coming…again. Which from a business perspective at least means the opportunity to capitalise on the strongest consumer demand of the whole year, as spending habits are allowed to spiral temporarily out of control.

That being said, making the most of Christmas as a retailer means ensuring you are prepped and ready for the rush to come. Warehouse operatives in particular need to make sure they’re in a good position to handle the next few months, which depending on preparatory efforts can go one way or the other.

So for those with every intention of not being caught off-guard once again this year, here’s a quick rundown of just a few important tips on prepping your warehouse for the big Christmas rush:

1. First up, bear in mind that your customers will be expecting you to get their orders to them comfortably before December 24. Which in turn means you’ll need to make sure you’ve got as much stock as you need on-hand plenty of time in advance, rather than stocking up at the last minute.
2. As this will be the time of the year when your warehouse is at its most active and busy, it’s a good idea to give it a good clean and tidy it up. Make sure that all aisles, entrances, exits and so on are as free and clear as possible to allow for convenient movement.
3. Think carefully about the very last date by which customers will need to place their orders, so as to guarantee delivery before Christmas. Don’t run the risk of promising more than you can deliver.
4. If you find yourself dealing with a sudden rush or on-going demand that you are struggling to keep up with, consider hiring a few temps from a local agency to keep things running smoothly. Or if you anticipate that this may be the case, consider taking on a few temps in advance, just in case.
5. Don’t forget to stock up on all the packing materials you will be needing, along with plenty of extras to be used in case of damage. Don’t risk running out at an inconvenient time.
6. The same also goes for consumables like printer paper, ink cartridges and so on – try not to fall into the trap of buying or ordering at the last minute.
7. Speak to those who take care of your deliveries and those you order your products from, in order to find out what kinds of special stipulations, limitations and rules are in place over the Christmas period. Don’t just make assumptions or leave things to chance.
8. Generate higher-level awareness of the importance of health and safety among your staff, given the way in which accelerated warehouse operations may result in more hazards and potential dangers than normal.
9. Have contingency plans in place, should you encounter any problems with things like electricity supply, IT systems failure, picking machinery breakdowns and so on.
10. Last but not least, try your best to enjoy it and make the most of it! After all, it won’t be long before it’s over and done with for another year!