As retailers, we're heading into our busiest and most profitable time of the year. With deliveries growing, managing delivery expectations is crucial for customer satisfaction and repeat business. Let me share some practical advice on handling your Christmas shipping schedule.
Choose the Right Service Level
Considering what happened last year, Express Post is your best mate for last-minute orders. It offers next-business-day delivery to 80% of Australian addresses. While it costs more than standard delivery, the tracking capabilities and faster delivery times make it worth every cent during the Christmas rush. Plus, you get verification from Australia Post that it was delivered.
Setting Your Store's Cut-off Dates
Remember, these dates below provide a guideline rather than guarantees. The earlier you send your parcels, the better their chance of arriving before Christmas. Consider offering Express Post as a premium option for last-minute shoppers who need faster delivery guaranteed.
Australia Post Christmas lodgement dates are here. One point is these date are for items that are delivered by 2:30pm at an Australian Post outlet.
Domestic Deliveries
I recommend setting your store's order cut-off dates at least 2-3 days before Australia Post's deadlines:
- Regular parcels: Set your cut-off to December 17
- Express orders: Final orders by December 20
- Interstate letters/cards: Cut-off December 11
International Shipments
New Zealand: 5 December 2024
United States and Canada: 11 December 2024
United Kingdom: 6 December 2024
Practical Tips for Smooth Operations
-Packaging and Processing Tips Address Verification Essentials Proper addressing might seem basic, but it's crucial for timely deliveries. Include:
Unit/apartment numbers
Complete street address
Suburb and postcode
Trust me, no one will complain if you put too much detail.
Order Processing
- Dedicate specific times each day for packing orders
- Print shipping labels in batches
- Use your POS to generate packing slips automatically
Communication Strategies
Clear Messaging Display shipping cut-off dates:
- On your website homepage
- At checkout
- To confirm emails
- In-store signage
Customer Updates Use your POS system to:
- Send shipping notifications to your customer when you sent it and the expected delivery date
- Include tracking information
- Alert customers about potential delays
Preparing Your Team
- Understand and communicate delivery timeframes
- Handle shipping enquiries confidently
- Process orders efficiently using your POS system
Looking After Regional Customers
If you're serving customers in WA NT, or regional areas:
- Add extra processing days
- Consider express shipping options
- Be upfront about extended delivery times
Last-Minute Solutions
For those inevitable last-minute shoppers:
- Offer click-and-collect until December 24
- Provide gift cards as a backup option
- Consider local courier services for nearby customers, maybe deliver it yourself.
Remember, while Australia Post has announced their cut-off dates, we retailers must work backwards from these dates.
Planning and using your POS system effectively can turn the Christmas rush into an opportunity.
