Get Your Ecommerce Business Black Friday-Ready: Tips for Canadian Sellers

• Be ready for a rise in traffic as Black Friday deals go online
• Prepare for Black Friday shipments with a robust packaging process
• Have a process strategy to handle influxes and avoid Black Friday shipping delays
• Prepare your team for Black Friday Cyber Monday 2024 questions
• Don’t let transportation costs eat into your increased sales from Black Friday deals
• Why Purolator is the ideal shipping provider for Black Friday in Canada and beyond
• Elevate your Black Friday shipping strategy with Purolator

Be ready for a rise in traffic as Black Friday deals go online

This year has seen a huge rise in ecommerce sales. Global ecommerce sales are expected to hit $6.33 trillion worldwide, an 8.8% increase compared to last year—making it the third-fastest ecommerce growth rate since 2021. And online sales are still predicted to keep rising year after year.

With more consumers choosing to shop from the comfort of their own home, it’s important to ensure your online store is ready to handle the wave of visitors hunting for Black Friday electronics or Cyber Monday sales in 2024. Review your website well in advance to make sure you have enough time to address any issues before the big weekend.

• Is your website loading at adequate speed?
• Are prices up to date?
• Are shipping options accurate?
• Have you updated policies for Black Friday deals?

Streamline ecommerce logistics for Cyber Monday 2024 with Purolator’s shipping integration technology

While reviewing your site is essential, you’ll also want to check that the logistics side of your ecommerce business runs as smoothly as possible, so customers know a shipment is on its way as soon as they click to checkout. After all, speed is the top priority when it comes to ecommerce shipping, with 49% of consumers worldwide preferring faster shipping over lower transportation costs. To meet their demands, you’ll need to spend time and resources checking if your internal order and delivery tracking systems are running as expected. On top of that, it’s hard to predict whether your ecommerce supply chain can handle the influx and bypass any Black Friday shipping delays.

Instead of taking that risk, consider letting a reliable partner handle shipping integration for you.  Purolator E-Ship® Web Services (EWS) is an end-to-end solution from checkout to order fulfillment, giving you peace of mind that your ecommerce shipping process is running seamlessly. With Purolator EWS, you can expect to:

• Increase efficiency with shipping integration for your website, your internal applications and across your entire supply chain.
• Reduce delays and errors by automatically creating shipping labels for product orders and returns.
• Provide your customers with a convenient ecommerce experience by offering shipping estimates, pick-ups and tracking capabilities on your website.
• Improve revenue management by ensuring your shipping rates reflect your actual shipping costs.
• Give customers the option to choose from a range of ground services, including next day express delivery.

Have a process strategy to handle influxes and avoid Black Friday shipping delays

Consider your busiest weekend and double it to be safe—do you have the stock, manpower, space and processes in place to deliver your promises despite Black Friday shipping delays? If you don’t think you do, you need to create a strategy now.

1. Check your stock beforehand to ensure you’ve got enough time to order additional items.
2. Bring on some temporary workers.
3. Rent out additional warehouse space and work through any bottleneck processes. 
4. Have a DSV model? Choose a carrier like Purolator to deliver your products
5. Don’t forget about returns. A solid returns strategy and process are essential to your supply chain and your customers’ experience.

If this seems easier to say than do, and you’re worried about getting orders out, there’s a simpler solution: Partner with a leading logistics provider with a robust supply chain.

Reduce Black Friday shipping delays with Purolator’s vast logistics network

Purolator’s shipping network uses the latest technology to manage warehouse distribution, inventory and reach. If you predict that your business will be flooded with an influx of orders this coming Black Friday or Cyber Monday, our logistics network can help ensure that you don’t run out of stock and that your customers receive their shipments on time.

• Regional warehouses: Purolator’s shipping network uses regional warehousing, so your products are never out of reach for your customers.
• Cross-border and international shipping: Regardless of whether you need to ship within Canada or to the U.S. and the rest of the world, Purolator’s network can help your promises reach their destination.
• Ship to remote regions in Canada: Purolator delivers to 100% of all Canadian postal codes.1
• Cutting-edge sorting technology: Our National Hub triples our shipping capacity and uses world-class automation to ensure your shipments are always on the move.
• Efficient freight and courier solutions: Whether you’re looking for express deliveries, freight services or shipping consolidation options, Purolator ensures your Black Friday Cyber Monday deliveries are fast and reliable, no matter the destination.

Prepare for Black Friday shipments with a robust packaging process

Black Friday is likely to be one of your busiest weekends this year. Get ready to meet consumer demand by setting up a robust packaging process now. To ensure your customers have a positive shipping experience, order packing and shipping materials ahead of time and keep them close at hand. Additionally, you’ll need to properly pack, seal and label shipments to minimize the risk of any damages or delays. 

Having robust packaging is good for protecting standard shipments. But what about fragile or bulky items? 

Ship items safely by preparing for Black Friday with Purolator’s specialized services

A shipping partner like Purolator will be able to offer special handling services to help even your most unique Black Friday shipments arrive intact and on time. We can move any of your products that require extra care and time. Our experts are ready to help with:

• Bulky, oversized or unpackaged shipments: Whether you’re transporting an item that’s too large for conventional shipping, or too fragile and in need of additional handling, our special handling services have you covered. 
• Dangerous goods: If you’re transporting goods that are classified as dangerous, then you need a dangerous goods shipping solution to safely deliver your package. Purolator is a leading Canadian carrier of dangerous goods with an exemplary safety and compliance record.
• Urgent deliveries: While proper packaging and handling can certainly speed up the shipping process and prevent delays, sometimes you just need a critical shipment to get from point A to B as quickly as possible. Our express delivery service can get your shipment to its destination by the next day, but if you need an even faster solution that’s where Mission Critical comes in. Purolator’s fastest shipping service to date, Mission Critical is a fully flexible expedited shipping solution that ensures the best route is taken for your most urgent deliveries.

Prepare your team for Black Friday Cyber Monday questions

An increase in sales will likely have a direct correlation with the volume of inquiries to your customer service. Customers may contact you with questions such as the following:

• The deals you’re offering
• How to navigate your website
• If out-of-stock items will be replenished
• The status of their delivery

Take the time to prepare your staff accordingly, so you make a positive lasting impression on new and returning customers. Arrange staff meetings to review expectations, procedures and predicted questions so they’re ready for specific inquiries that relate to the holiday. If they’re prepared with the right answers, your customer service team will be ready to resolve customer needs while under pressure. If you’re highly likely to receive a lot more traffic, consider hiring temporary staff and creating a dedicated channel to field questions that are specific to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This will keep your regular (non-holiday-specific) queries unaffected from timely waits.

Three ways Purolator can enhance customer experience this Black Friday in Canada

Another way to minimize queries is to provide shipping solutions that enhance the overall delivery experience for customers. With Purolator, you can provide personalized deliveries and sustainable returns to work out any gaps and deliver a seamless customer experience.

1. Customized delivery options

With Purolator Your Way, you can offer customers personalized deliveries and tracking, ensuring they receive their packages when it’s most convenient for them—even if that means completing a delivery by the next day. Additionally, your customers can opt to receive Photo Proof of Delivery for peace of mind that their shipment is at the right place, at the right time.

1. Sustainable shipping

More environmentally conscious customers are likely aware that peak season shipping can lead to increased waste from packaging and transportation emissions. However, with Purolator, your Black Friday shipments can become more environmentally friendly. We reduce waste through our electric fleet to minimize emissions. By partnering with us, you can reduce the environmental impact caused by holiday shipping, which can resonate well with customers prioritizing sustainability in their purchasing decisions.

1. Returns management

Implement hassle-free returns for your customers with Purolator’s streamlined returns management process. Your customers can return items label-free and at their own convenience at more than 2,900 shipping locations and access points throughout Canada.

Don’t let transportation costs eat into your increased sales from Black Friday deals

While sales are often boosted during Black Friday, make sure you don’t find yourself depleting your bottom line. While you want to make sure you’re prepared, it’s just as important to set a budget and stick to it. For example, don’t spend too much on your online marketing strategy, or cut prices more than you can afford. 

However, your product shipments need to go out no matter what. While you can’t cut transportation costs completely, working with a delivery provider like Purolator can certainly make them more manageable. 

Manage Black Friday Cyber Monday transportation costs with Purolator’s flexible shipping options

Purolator offers a variety of flexible shipping options that can help you keep Black Friday logistics costs under control. Not only will this help keep your Black Friday Cyber Monday transport costs manageable, but Purolator can also support your business for the rest of peak shipping season, too.

• Choose the right service: Purolator offers various courier shipping services, including express and other ground options. Assess your delivery needs and choose the most cost-effective service for your packages.
• Consolidate shipments: If you have multiple packages going to the same location, consider consolidating them into one shipment to reduce costs. By combining all the items into one shipment, you’re saving on transportation costs by decreasing the amount of manpower, processing and drop offs required. Purolator’s less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload (TL) freight shipping services are ideal for more cost-effective bulk shipments, with the option to consolidate courier parcels alongside palletized goods as well.  
• Optimize packaging: Use the right-sized boxes and packing materials to avoid additional charges for oversized packages. Efficient packaging solutions can also reduce shipping weight, while also minimizing waste and contributing to more sustainable shipping.
• Plan for peak times: Anticipate delays during peak shipping times like Black Friday Cyber Monday and plan your shipping schedule accordingly. Shipping early can help avoid higher fees for last-minute deliveries.

How Purolator helped Legrand optimize distribution with consolidated shipping

Purolator is a leading provider of integrated freight, package and logistics solutions.2 We know how to consolidate shipments by using the same trailers to ship everything, from individual parcels to palletized loads. Our partners at Legrand, a leading provider and manufacturer of electrical devices, came to us looking to streamline their B2C and B2B shipping operations. In the past, Legrand’s individual courier shipments and palletized freight were handled differently by a variety of shipment options, leading to a lot of trucks coming and going each day. Legrand’s growing operations were bottlenecked due to a shortage of dock doors capable of servicing an increasing number of trailers, which was creating inefficiencies and additional costs. The company knew that it needed a change.

After partnering with Purolator, Legrand was able to:

1. Save time and manage costs by consolidating all freight and courier shipments into two trailers that ship out daily—at no additional cost 
2. Improve customer satisfaction by simplifying distribution and reducing delays
3. Reduce their carbon footprint by cutting down on the number of trucks required to move shipments

Why Purolator is the ideal shipping provider for Black Friday in Canada and beyond

To make the most of Black Friday, your business needs a shipping partner like Purolator who offers technology integration, a vast network, flexible solutions and an exceptional customer experience. By partnering with Purolator, you can streamline your shipping operations, enhance customer satisfaction and navigate the complexities of Black Friday with confidence.

• Expand your shipping options with express services and returns

Purolator offers various shipping options to meet your customers’ needs, including next-day and weekend delivery options, and Mission Critical for your most urgent shipments. Additionally, our reverse logistics solutions can simplify the returns process and improve customer satisfaction with a package-free and label-free returns experience.

• Ecommerce technology solutions

We provide integrated technology services and ecommerce shipping software. Manage your ecommerce supply chain more effectively and gain better visibility and control over shipments this coming Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

• Access a large delivery network to support your increased deliveries

With Purolator, you can reach 100% of Canadian postal codes, giving your business the flexibility to scale and grow your operations throughout the country. If you’re looking to expand to the rest of North America, or the world, Purolator’s network has extensive geographic coverage including cross-border and international reach.

• Closed loop network

Get peace of mind that your packages will be delivered without unnecessary hand-offs to third parties, decreasing the risk that deliveries will be late or damaged.

• Work with a trusted shipping provider

Purolator is one of the most trusted brands in the delivery service category.3 We offer faster and more reliable delivery options so your business can continue to meet customer expectations even during peak shipping season.

• Sustainable shipping solutions

Purolator is committed to environmental sustainability. We are the first Canadian courier company to launch all-electric vehicles, and continue to reduce emissions and waste, allowing you to access exceptional eco-friendly shipping services.

Elevate your Black Friday shipping strategy with Purolator

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024 approach, it’s essential to prepare effectively so you can maximize sales and ensure customer satisfaction. Partnering with Purolator not only simplifies logistics, but also enhances the overall shopping experience for your customers. By leveraging Purolator’s robust shipping solutions, you can navigate the challenges of peak season shipping, minimize shipping and manage transport costs efficiently. Embrace the opportunities of Black Friday in Canada, North America and beyond with a trusted logistics provider that prioritizes reliability and sustainability, setting your business up for success during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.