Getting Your Retail Shipping Store Ready for Peak Holiday Season
The holiday season is the most exciting—and busiest—time of year for retail shipping stores. Customers depend on you to get their gifts, products, and packages delivered safely and on time. But with increased traffic, heavier shipping volumes, and higher customer expectations, preparation is everything.
Here are five key steps to get your store ready for peak holiday season:
1. Review and Update Your Retail Prices
Peak season often comes with carrier surcharges, higher shipping costs, and increased demand for packing materials. Make sure your retail pricing reflects these seasonal changes. Customers understand that holiday shipping comes at a premium—they’ll appreciate clear, upfront pricing and the peace of mind that their packages are handled professionally.
Tip: Make sure your POS software is updated before peak season.
2. Dress Your Store for Success
First impressions matter—especially when customers are already stressed about holiday shopping. A clean, well-organized, and festive store creates a positive experience and encourages customers to return.
Add holiday decorations to create a cheerful atmosphere.
Keep your counter clutter-free and your packaging supplies neatly displayed.
Make navigation easy with clear signage for shipping, packing, and retail areas.
Pro move: Position seasonal impulse items near the checkout counter—think holiday cards, small gifts, or stocking stuffers.
3. Merchandise for the Traffic
Holiday traffic brings in a mix of regulars and new customers. Use the opportunity to showcase more than just shipping services.
Highlight packing supplies (boxes, bubble wrap, tape).
Offer ready-to-ship gift items like wine shippers, poster tubes, or padded envelopes.
Bundle products into “Holiday Shipping Kits” that include everything needed to send gifts safely.
Extra tip: Put your best-selling supplies front and center—customers are often in a hurry and will grab what they need quickly.
4. Staff and Train for the Rush
More customers mean more opportunities—but also more stress if you’re not prepared. Make sure your staff is ready:
Schedule extra coverage during peak shipping weeks (usually late November through mid-December).
Cross-train employees so anyone can jump in to help with packing, shipping, or retail sales.
Role-play customer scenarios to build confidence in handling holiday-related questions.
Happy, knowledgeable staff create smoother operations and better customer experiences.
5. Plan Ahead for Year-End Tax and Business Wrap-Up
The holidays don’t just end with New Year’s Eve. For business owners, year-end also means preparing financials and setting up for a strong start to the new year.
Track sales trends during the holiday rush—you’ll want this data for next year’s planning.
Organize receipts, invoices, and expense reports to make tax prep easier.
Consider year-end promotions to clear out slow-moving merchandise.
Reminder: A strong finish in Q4 sets the tone for a profitable Q1.
Final Thoughts
The holiday season can be overwhelming, but with preparation, it’s also the most rewarding time of year for your retail shipping business. By reviewing prices, refreshing your store, merchandising smartly, training your staff, and planning for year-end, you’ll not only survive the peak season—you’ll thrive in it.
Get ready now, and when the rush hits, you’ll be the reliable shipping solution your community depends on.
