Winter is one of the busiest times of year for temperature-controlled shipping. Peak season continues post-Christmas and well past New Year’s celebrations. This is all thanks to the winter sports surge. This extended rush period can spell disaster for those who are unprepared; here are some tips to help you make the most out of the winter sports surge and beyond.
What is the Winter Sports Surge?
The winter sports surge is the demand for food products following the new year as consumers gather to watch their favorite sports. Everyone wants their favorite game-day snacks, whether it is basketball, hockey, soccer, or football. This creates a surge in temperature-controlled shipping right after the rush of the holiday season.
Plan for Delays
During this busy time, it is vital to get products from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible, especially when those products have an expiration date. However, this is not always a smooth process. Prepare yourself and your clients for potential shipment delays and set expectations that products will arrive as quickly as possible but that some factors like weather fall outside your control. Where possible, seek to avoid delays but work with the understanding that sometimes they are inevitable.
Plan for Winter Storms
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, just not on your routes. The winter season can bring volatile weather to your doorstep. Stay on top of storm warnings and closely monitor which routes are safe to drive. This can help you prevent delays due to weather. Keeping up efficiency is vital to capitalize on the winter sports surge. Don’t let the snow and ice prevent your loads from making it into stores and onto party plates. If you need some tools to track the weather, these apps can help get you started.
Plan for the Future
The winter sports surge may seem too hectic to forget anytime soon, but you’ll want to start planning for next year. Capitalizing on what worked well and learning from what didn’t will help you prepare for next year and all the following years. It is essential to look for and implement improvements in your process constantly, and there is no better time to start than now.
Keeping ahead of the rush is important during all seasons, especially during the winter sports surge. Kick off the winter sports surge strong by planning for delays, communicating with clients, and tracking winter storms. Don’t forget to remember what you learned from this hectic season and carry it with you into the next.
The England Logistics Cold Chain division offers a range of services to best fit your needs. Our tailored loads and 24/7 customer service will guarantee your refrigerated shipment will arrive in an efficient and timely manner. By offering reliable support, coast-to-coast services and competitive rates, the England Logistics team is prepared to get your loads where they need to go.