Logistics
How to get your pallets ready for the Christmas order peak
November and December multiply shipments. Here is how to work out how many pallets you will need, when to order them and what to do with the spare ones in January.
For many businesses, November and December are the busiest months of the year for shipments: food, drinks, gifts, distribution… And it is almost always the same story: the orders come in, the goods are ready and what is missing is pallets. With a little planning, that bottleneck disappears.
1. Work out how many pallets you will need
Start from last year's figures: how many shipments you made in these weeks and how many pallets went out with each one. If you expect to sell more this year, add that growth. And don't forget the pallets that never come back: the ones that stay with the customer, the ones that break during loading and the ones lost in the exchange with the haulier.
A good safety margin saves you from stopping the loading bay on a Friday afternoon because there is nothing to build the order on.
2. Order in advance
In peak season, the whole sector needs pallets at the same time. If you place your order a few weeks ahead, you give us time to prepare exactly the formats and quantities you need and to arrange delivery with our own fleet without any rush.
If your load is standard, inspected used pallets are the quickest and most economical way to cover the peak. If you need a specific size or extra strength, it is best to order custom-made new pallets earlier.
3. Choose the pallet for each destination
- Large retailers and logistics hubs: they usually require Euro pallets in good condition. Check their delivery requirements before loading.
- Regular customers and local deliveries: a second-hand pallet in good condition is more than enough.
- Shipments outside the European Union: you will almost always need ISPM 15 treated pallets.
4. Make room for the pallets
Receiving all the pallets at once and having nowhere to put them is also a problem. Ask for staggered deliveries and store them under cover in stable stacks, away from damp, so they do not deteriorate before you use them.
5. Think about January now
Once the season is over, empty pallets pile up in the warehouse and on the loading docks. We collect used pallets from your premises, repair the ones that can be fixed and give them a second life. That way you get your space back and recover part of your investment.
Would you like us to get your pallets ready for this season? Ask us for a quote or call us on +34 674 708 456 and we will tell you which formats we have available.
