Customer expectations have changed. Thanks to Amazon Prime and big retailers promising next-day delivery, people don’t see fast shipping as a premium service anymore — they see it as standard. And if you can’t offer it, you risk losing the sale.
But speed isn’t the only challenge. There’s also volume. Black Friday, Christmas, summer sales, influencer drops — all can send your order numbers through the roof overnight. Which is why any conversation about outsourcing fulfilment has to include one critical question: “Can you handle next-day delivery, and can you manage peak season?”
Why Speed Matters
In ecommerce, speed equals satisfaction. A study by Metapack found that more than half of online shoppers expect next-day delivery as an option. It’s not a luxury anymore; it’s a baseline.
Fast shipping means:
• Higher conversion rates. Customers are more likely to buy when delivery is quick.
• Repeat business. People remember when you deliver on time (and even more when you don’t).
• Competitive edge. Small businesses that can match the speed of giants look instantly more credible.
If your fulfilment partner can’t get parcels out the door same-day and into the carrier network for next-day arrival, you’re already at a disadvantage.
The Peak Season Challenge
Speed is one thing, but spikes are another. We’ve all seen brands crushed by Black Friday chaos: orders stacking up, delays piling, customer service inboxes overflowing.
Peak season readiness is where a great fulfilment partner shines. Here’s what to look for:
• Flexible team size. Can they quickly ramp team members up for busy weeks?
• Carrier options. Do they have contracts with multiple carriers so your orders don’t get stuck if one network is overwhelmed?
• Cut-off times. Clear daily deadlines for same-day dispatch.
• Forecasting support. Do they work with you to plan for promotions and spikes?
A Real-World Example
A fashion retailer I worked with had their biggest TikTok moment just before Christmas. Their orders jumped from 200 a week to 1,200 in five days. Their fulfilment partner was ready: they had flexible team on standby, multiple carriers lined up, and stock positioned across two warehouses. Every parcel shipped on time. The brand not only survived their viral moment — they turned it into their best month ever.
Contrast that with another brand that went with a bargain-basement provider. They hit 500 orders a day in peak season, but the warehouse couldn’t cope. Dispatch times slipped, reviews tanked, and they spent months rebuilding trust with angry customers.
Questions to Ask Providers
- What’s your same-day dispatch cut-off?
- What percentage of orders ship on time?
- How do you prepare for Black Friday and holiday spikes?
- Which carriers do you work with, and do you have back-ups?
- Can I see performance reports from previous peak seasons?
Final Thought
Fast, reliable shipping isn’t optional anymore. Your customers expect it every day, and they especially expect it during peak season. The right fulfilment partner doesn’t just promise speed — they prove it with cut-offs, carrier options, and peak performance data.
So don’t just ask if they can ship next-day. Ask how they manage the chaos when everyone else is struggling. Because your brand’s reputation doesn’t take a holiday, even when the orders come flooding in.
