The holiday season is a time of year that is both exciting and hectic for businesses. The end of the year brings with it an increase in demand, as shoppers rush to buy gifts for their loved ones. This can be a challenging time for businesses, as they must ensure that they have enough inventory on hand to meet the demand. In this article, we will identify the top three supply chain challenges to expect this holiday season!
Demand Forecasting
The first challenge is demand forecasting. It is important to anticipate how much demand will increase during the holiday season and plan accordingly. If you overestimate or underestimate the demand, it can lead to shortages or overages, which can be costly for your business. To learn more about how K3S can help with seasonality and demand forecasting, click here.
Supplier Shutdowns
A second challenge you are bound to face is supplier shutdowns. Your suppliers will likely close down for a few days, or even weeks as the year comes to a close. It is imperative that you know your supplier’s schedule so that you can prepare for these shutdowns and ensure you have enough inventory in your warehouse to reach your target service levels until they reopen.
Short Staffing
Finally, the challenge of staffing can often be a problem during the holiday season. Many businesses experience a surge in demand for their products and services but may not have enough staff members to meet this demand. This can lead to longer wait times for customers and decreased productivity.
As you can see, inventory management becomes particularly challenging during the Holidays. This time of year is already stressful. Don’t make your life even more complicated by missing out on a few key areas that can help!
