Surviving Peak Season:

How E-tailers Can Prepare for Global Holiday Success

By Douglas Longobardi, Chief Revenue Officer, Asendia USA

The holiday season brings both excitement and pressure. Order volumes spike, carriers are stretched, and customer expectations rise. Cross-border shipping adds complexity, with varying rules, taxes, and customs that can delay packages. To avoid disruptions, retailers must plan beyond simply adding staff or extending hours. Despite the challenges, Peak Season is a great time to test new strategies, boost sales, and strengthen your brand. Here are key tips to help e-tailers get ahead and increase profitability this season.

Checkout abandonment, especially in cross-border e-commerce, is often driven by unexpected costs, limited payment options, and delivery concerns. Retailers can reduce cart abandonment by partnering with providers like Asendia USA to offer localized checkout, transparent DDP shipping, and trusted payment methods, ultimately creating a smoother, more reliable experience that boosts conversions and customer loyalty.

Whether sending in-country or internationally, shipping providers suggest different cutoff dates by destination in order to guarantee the arrival of gifts and packages before the holiday. International shipments will take a bit longer than domestic, so it's important for online retailers servicing global shoppers to plan accordingly. Being aware of these dates helps ensure the arrival of gifts before Christmas and keeps customers happy!

Every year, shoppers all over the world become anxious about orders not being delivered in time for the holidays. Offering a variety of options for customers to have their orders shipped helps ensure that packages are delivered when consumers need them. Some shoppers will start early and prefer a lower-priced shipping option since they have the time to wait for the order, while others may shop last minute and be willing to pay a premium for faster shipping. Offering choice is key.

How much are you spending on shipping? Shipping costs are the number one expense when fulfilling orders and could contribute to other operational issues. Be aware of your ability to negotiate rates and industry association discounts. For international shipments, consider partnering with a consolidator that can save you significant money on global shipping costs due to the sheer volumes they handle for their customers and their long-time partnerships with foreign postal administrations around the globe.

Are your facilities lacking organization and filling with clutter? If the answer is yes, consider the use of a fully integrated fulfillment service. Fulfillment providers can help e-tailers by receiving and storing inventory, as well as packaging and shipping orders. Outsourcing these services can help e-tailers manage an influx of orders during Peak Season, ultimately increasing their revenue while creating a better customer experience for shoppers.

Product returns are inevitable in e-commerce, but retailers can minimize them with clear descriptions, multiple visuals, accurate sizing charts, and helpful FAQs or reviews. A transparent return policy, especially for international shoppers, builds trust and prevents confusion. Working with a logistics partner who understands cross-border requirements also helps reduce avoidable returns. Fewer returns not only cut costs but also boost customer satisfaction and loyalty, which is crucial during the holiday season.

Local expertise is essential when expanding into Canada and Mexico, key markets with distinct regulations and customer expectations. At Asendia USA, we help e-tailers prepare early, avoid cross-border issues, and deliver a better customer experience while unlocking growth opportunities in these high-potential international markets.

To support retailers, we have developed two complimentary e-books packed with insights:

• Mexico’s Growing e-Commerce Market: U.S. Guide to Selling South
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• Unlock Canadian e-commerce opportunities e-book

Global export controls are tightening, leading to more return-to-sender shipments, higher costs, and frustrated customers. To avoid delays and added fees, online retailers must follow international shipping regulations closely. This includes providing accurate product descriptions and HS Codes, completing all customs documentation, and staying up to date on shipping rules. Doing so not only reduces costs but also protects brand reputation and keeps customers happy during the peak season.