How to Survive the Black Friday Rush
What you can still save and how to avoid it next year
It’s early November, and many online retailers are starting to realise they have underestimated just how early logistics planning for peak season should begin.
Carriers are full, warehouses are running at capacity, and suddenly everything feels urgent.
For many e-shops, the next few weeks will mean stress, last-minute improvisation, customer complaints about delivery delays, and higher costs for express shipping.
If that sounds familiar, don’t worry, you are not alone.
Let’s look at what you can still do now to limit the damage, and what to change next year so you don’t repeat the same scenario.
What you can still save now
1️⃣ Prioritise your top-selling SKUs
Focus your stock and fulfilment capacity on products that make up 80% of your turnover. It’s better to ship your bestsellers on time than to run out of capacity on slower-moving items.
2️⃣ Communicate delivery deadlines clearly
Set realistic cut-off dates for guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery. Update them on your website, newsletters, and social media. Clear communication prevents frustration and chargebacks.
3️⃣ Simplify your packaging and shipping options
Now is not the time to reinvent the wheel. Stick to reliable couriers and standard packaging sizes; that speeds up warehouse operations and reduces errors.
4️⃣ Add temporary staff or external help
Even a few seasonal workers or a 3PL partner for overflow parcels can make a big difference in keeping your operation stable.
5️⃣ Keep customer support informed
Your support team is your frontline. Make sure they know your shipping timelines, stock status, and expected delivery delays so they can respond quickly and consistently.
What to do differently next year
Start planning 8–12 weeks ahead.
By mid-September, your Black Friday logistics should already be mapped out:
- Inventory pre-positioned near fulfilment centres
- Transport capacity reserved
- Promotional SKUs identified and stocked
- Packaging and labels ordered
Early prep locks in lower shipping costs, guaranteed delivery slots, and a calm November.
💡 TIP FROM INTERNEL:
Most successful e-shops treat Black Friday as a project starting in AUGUST, not as an event in November.
Final thought
This season might still feel like chaos, but it’s also the best teacher. Use what you’re experiencing now as insight for next year’s planning.
If you’d like to discuss how INTERNEL helps e-shops across Europe prepare early and scale smoothly during peak season, get in touch – we are here year-round, not just on Black Friday.
💡 Read also our blog post: E-Fulfillment for those who expect more