Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the biggest dates in the retail calendar — and for fulfilment teams, they can make or break the festive season.
If you want to deliver smoothly through November’s chaos, October is the month to plan, prepare, and stress-test your operation. Because when orders start flying in, there’s no time left for “we’ll sort it later.”
Here’s how to make sure your fulfilment setup is ready for peak.
1. Start with Your Data
The best indicator of what’s coming? Last year’s performance.
Look back at your order volumes, peak days, and delivery patterns from Black Friday 2024. Which couriers performed well? When did your stock levels hit danger zones? Did you underestimate any SKUs?
This data isn’t just interesting — it’s gold dust. It tells you what to expect, where the pinch points are, and how to build contingency plans that actually work.
If you’re using Diamond’s fulfilment and courier services, your dashboard already gives you this insight — so log in, take a look, and forecast with confidence.
And if you missed it, our recent Client Feedback Survey Results showed how many partners are already using these insights to make smarter planning decisions ahead of peak.
2. Check Your Staffing and Shift Patterns
Peak season means long hours, extra demand, and very little margin for error.
Now’s the time to confirm rotas, plan overtime, and make sure you’ve got the right number of hands in the warehouse.
Think beyond just picking and packing — you’ll need cover for customer service, returns, and even social media queries.
Some Diamond clients add short-term seasonal staff to maintain speed and accuracy. If you’re considering it, we can help with onboarding and training guidance to make sure everyone’s ready from day one.
And don’t forget to revisit your Christmas logistics planning — our Countdown to Christmas guide covers how to keep operations calm as order volumes rise.
3. Review Vehicle Scheduling and Courier Capacity
Every courier network feels the strain in November. A little planning now can save you a lot of stress later.
✅ Check your vehicle allocation — are your collection times still realistic at higher volumes?
✅ Confirm your routes — even five extra minutes per stop adds up during peak.
✅ Speak to your Diamond operations team about scaling capacity or adding collections for your busiest days.
And don’t forget: contingency couriers are your safety net. If one service struggles, you’ll be glad to have an alternative ready to go.
For growing businesses with a local presence, we’ve been expanding capacity in key regions — including Brighton.
4. Test Your Systems Before They’re Tested for You
Integrations, scanners, order management platforms, and tracking links — when they all work, they’re invisible. When they don’t, they cause chaos.
Spend an hour this month stress-testing your systems. Run mock orders through your platform. Check that your stock feeds are accurate and that labels still print correctly.
It sounds simple, but even a small glitch can cause a domino effect during Black Friday. If you’re a Diamond client, our tech support team can help make sure your systems are running at full speed — just ask.
If you’re exploring micro-fulfilment or urban hubs, now’s a good time to assess how your technology supports that — our blog on Micro-Fulfilment: The Future of Urban eCommerce explains why smaller, smarter networks are the next big step.
5. Get Ahead on Packaging and Consumables
Boxes, tape, filler, labels — you’d be surprised how fast these vanish during peak.
Place your orders early to avoid last-minute shortages. And while you’re at it, review your packaging process: could you reduce filler, speed up assembly, or pre-pack your bestsellers?
Smart packaging saves time and reduces waste — and at scale, every second counts.
Homeware and subscription brands can take extra inspiration from our recent reads:
Both offer real-world tips for creating efficient, branded unboxing experiences — vital when every second (and every impression) matters.
6. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Your customers will forgive slower delivery if they know what’s happening. They won’t if they don’t.
Set clear expectations on delivery times across your website and emails.
Add automatic updates for dispatched orders.
And let your customer service team know exactly what messaging to use if something runs late — consistency builds trust.
At Diamond, we always say communication is half the battle in logistics. It turns potential complaints into loyal customers.
And for a great example of how fulfilment partnerships can free up time to focus on brand-building and communication, check out our newest success story:
Nana Rose’s Rum Punch: Growing a Brand with Diamond Logistics
It’s proof that when logistics run smoothly, creativity — and business growth — follow.
7. Partner with Experts Who’ve Been Through It Before
Peak can be daunting — but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our fulfilment teams have supported hundreds of brands through Black Friday, Christmas, and every kind of seasonal rush imaginable. From scaling warehouse space to adding courier capacity, we know how to keep the wheels turning and the parcels moving.
Whether you’re an established eCommerce brand or scaling fast, Diamond can help you plan, prepare, and deliver this season with confidence.
Your Black Friday Readiness Checklist
Before November hits, make sure you’ve ticked these off:
- Staffing and overtime confirmed
- Vehicle schedules updated
- Systems tested and ready
- Stock levels checked
- Packaging materials ordered
- Courier capacity reviewed
- Customer messaging aligned
- Contingency plans in place
Ready to Make This Your Smoothest Peak Yet?
If you’d like to review your fulfilment or courier setup before the rush, get in touch with your local Diamond Logistics team today.
Together, we’ll make sure your business sails through Black Friday — not sinks under it.
