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Manufacturing & CPG Optimize Technology

Managing the rush: CPG solutions for peak season success

01/22/2025

by Morgan Cox and Luke Lackey

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) models are becoming a critical growth strategy for traditional CPG brands, offering increased profit margins by bypassing retailers and wholesalers. However, this shift amplifies operational complexities, especially during peak season.

During peak season, CPG companies face unique operational challenges: unpredictable demand spikes, transportation bottlenecks, and tight delivery windows. With the holiday peak season generating around 20% of annual sales for direct-to-consumer brands, even small inefficiencies can have significant consequences.

With the proper operations management CPG solutions—such as predictive analytics, real-time dashboards, and automation—businesses can anticipate these challenges and achieve increased efficiency.

Planning for Peak Season with CPG Solutions

Peak season magnifies operational challenges, but proactive strategies and leveraging the right manufacturing operations solutions can empower businesses to stay ahead of demand, streamline processes, and deliver exceptional results. Whether you’re a supply chain manager for a major retailer or a logistics team member for a growing DTC brand, understanding and mitigating these challenges is critical. Below are some of the most pressing challenges of peak season and how strategic solutions can address them effectively.

1. The Power of Visibility: Peak season success begins with complete supply chain visibility. IoT-enabled devices and advanced platforms deliver real-time updates on inventory, shipments, and stock levels. Unified dashboards aggregate this data, empowering teams to address disruptions and make proactive decisions. When all departments and partners share the same real-time insights, collaboration improves and bottlenecks are resolved faster. Enhanced visibility transforms potential chaos into streamlined operations, giving businesses the agility to thrive under peak season pressure.

2. Fast Deliveries, High Expectations: In today’s fast-paced world, customers expect packages to arrive almost immediately after they click “Buy Now.” Tight delivery windows are now a baseline expectation, with 66% of businesses reporting higher conversion rates after offering same-day delivery. To meet these demands, Transportation Management Systems (TMS) optimize routes, track shipments, and adapt to disruptions in real time. These systems can dynamically reroute deliveries around traffic delays or weather issues, ensuring orders move seamlessly from pick to pack to delivery. By leveraging TMS tools, businesses not only meet delivery promises but also build customer loyalty and drive repeat sales, all while maintaining cost control.

3. Anticipating Demand with Precision: Demand spikes are inevitable but don’t have to be unpredictable. Predictive analytics analyze historical data and market trends to forecast demand accurately. This foresight allows businesses to align production and procurement with confidence. Retailers leveraging data-driven strategies have seen up to a 5% increase in net sales and a 20% boost in marketing efficiency. By preparing proactively with these insights, companies meet peak season demand and gain a competitive edge over those still reacting to market shifts.

4. Streamlined Operations for Scalability: Disconnected processes create bottlenecks that peak season exposes. ERP systems act as a centralized hub for inventory, finance, and supply chain activities, automating workflows and standardizing processes. When integrated with IoT and analytics tools, these platforms help businesses scale operations smoothly to meet peak-season demands. This approach reduces bottlenecks and lays the groundwork for long-term operational excellence, ensuring companies remain agile and ready to grow year-round.

5. Empowering People to Embrace Change: The most advanced technology is only as effective as the people using it. Organizational change management (OCM) ensures teams are equipped to leverage new solutions through clear communication, tailored training, and ongoing stakeholder engagement. Without effective change management, companies risk delays, frustration, and underutilized investments. Empowered teams drive operational excellence, maximizing ROI and ensuring businesses thrive during peak season and beyond.

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Peak season pushes every part of a business—visibility, speed, precision, scalability, and adaptability. Success lies in leveraging technology like IoT, TMS, predictive analytics, and ERP systems, paired with the right support to empower teams. By addressing challenges head-on, businesses can exceed customer expectations and maintain excellence under peak pressure.

Ready to evaluate and implement business technology solutions effectively at your organization? Reach out to a Sendero consultant today!

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