Peter Langley from FedEx shares essential shipping tips for retailers navigating unprecedented holiday demand.
The Australian holiday shopping season is one of the most critical times of the year for retailers, with November’s blockbuster sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, setting the pace for the all-important Christmas period.
As consumer expectations rise and competition increases, retailers must prioritise value, speed, and transparency in delivery to meet demand, build trust, and win customer loyalty during the busiest time of the year.
The Deloitte Retail Holiday Report 2025 indicates a rise in confidence, with consumers expected to spend nearly 14% more this holiday season than last year, averaging $1,140 per person. Crucially, 84% of Australian retailers are also expecting sales growth.
Moreover, the shopping calendar has fundamentally changed, with November’s major sales – like Black Friday and Cyber Monday – now the peak period for gift buying. The FedEx APAC-Europe Report provides a clear view of this operational pressure: 67% of surveyed Australian businesses expect slightly to significantly better sales than last year, and 46% of surveyed Australian consumers plan to spend more online. This collective confidence is driving intensity in the final quarter.
For retailers looking to sleigh the season, here are three essential tips.
1. Plan Early and Communicate Clearly
The holiday peak season period sees unprecedented shipping volumes. Retailers with poor planning risk being caught off guard by capacity constraints and earlier than expected cut-off dates.
According to FedEx APAC-Europe Report the surveyed retailers’ strategies confirm a laser focus on execution this year, with top priorities being improving order fulfillment (40%), running targeted promotions (37%), and offering free or discounted delivery (32%). This intense focus on the “last mile” requires proactive planning, such as:
- Align your Sales and your Carrier’s Shipping Schedules: Retailers need to align their promotional calendar with their transportation and logistics provider’s operational schedule. By working in step with your shipping partner’s pickup and delivery scheduling and requirements, especially during peak holiday periods shipping spikes caused by retail events like Black Friday, you give your customers the best chance of avoiding shipping backlogs.
- Know Your Carrier’s Deadlines: Transportation and logistics providers typically publish their shipping deadlines for the Christmas period. These dates are your carrier’s estimate for your shipment to have the best chance of arriving before Christmas. These dates are based on the time it typically takes shipments to arrive at their destination (e.g., Western Australia and Northen Territory often have earlier cut-offs than metro Sydney). Publish these dates, making sure these published dates also include any lead times you require for packaging and arranging shipments for collection by your carrier, clearly on your website and checkout page to manage customer expectations and encourage shopping earlier.
- Offer Multiple Services: Don’t rely on a single delivery option. Offer a range of services—from standard ground shipping for early shoppers to express and premium options for last-minute buyers. This flexibility allows customers to choose their preferred balance of cost and speed and helps reduce disappointment.
Retailers who review their shipping timelines early and clearly communicate firm cut-off dates to customers can help significantly reduce last-minute pressure and set the right expectations for delivery. This approach not only helps avoid costly delays but also reinforces customer confidence during the busiest time of the year.
2. Streamline Fulfilment and Offer Flexibility
Simplifying fulfilment processes can make a substantial difference during peak season. By offering a range of delivery options, retailers can easily balance speed, cost, and customer preference. This flexibility is particularly valuable for online sellers managing both domestic and international orders, helping them stay competitive while maintaining service quality.
- Invest in Digital Tools: Utilise your transportation and logistics provider’s digital tools, such as FedEx integration solutions, directly with your e-commerce platform. Automated labelling, customs documentation (for cross-border sales), and tracking data exchange can drastically reduce manual errors and speed up warehouse processing time.
- Embrace Cross-Border Opportunities: Australian retailers are increasingly competing in global markets. This peak season is an ideal time to look outwards, as international trade continues to grow. Working with a global carrier allows you to tap into international demand while also providing you with shipping tips, resources and tools to help to navigate the complexities of international shipping.
3. Use Technology and Expertise to Improve Efficiency
Technology continues to play a crucial role in managing growing order volumes. Real-time tracking tools, automated shipping platforms, and integrated inventory systems can help businesses operate more efficiently and maintain visibility across their supply chain.
Furthermore, advanced AI powered solutions can also help ease the trickier elements of international shipping by intelligently prompting the customer to provide a specific item description and assisting them in their selection of the corresponding Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes.
Understanding new U.S. tariffs for cross-border trade is key. FedEx has a variety of resources available to customers, including a dedicated, regularly updated FedEx online hub that provides guidance, policy summaries, and practical tips to help businesses effectively navigate the complex U.S. tariff landscape.
Together, these strategies can help retailers navigate the holiday season with greater confidence, delivering a seamless experience for their customers. By preparing early and partnering with a reliable transportation and logistics provider, businesses can turn a traditionally high-pressure period into an opportunity for growth and customer trust.
*All content generated by these tools are for informational purposes only and is subject to change as regulatory requirements change. You are urged to seek specific advice and not to rely solely on these tools.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is of general nature only. It is not intended to address circumstances of any specific entity or individual
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