Peak season usually starts late August, post summer holidays, but we are already seeing rates increases, so plan your shipping now before space becomes tight.

Now is also the time to ensure your fulfilment operations are ready.

Summer Heatwaves = Panic Buying

As temperatures climb, consumer behaviour changes almost instantly.

Heatwaves often trigger short-term urgency buying. Consumers react to weather forecasts, social media and low-stock messaging, which can compress several weeks of demand into just a few days.

For customers, it’s simple,  they want products quickly before stocks run low.

But for brands and fulfilment operations, peak season can bring serious pressure behind the scenes.

The challenge for fulfilment teams is that demand spikes rarely affect just one part of the operation. Increased order volumes can create pressure across shipping, warehousing, packing stations, courier collections and final-mile delivery networks all at the same time.

At TPS, we know how important preparation is when seasonal demand suddenly increases. A lot of our retail clients have products sensitive to seasonal fluctuations. For example Altruist Sunscreen, where summer naturally creates a sharp increase in order volumes as consumers stock up for holidays. We are used to peaks, for Altruist we handle 17 SKUs and fulfil all of their Amazon UK sales.

1. Ability to scale warehouse operations: As order volumes increase, warehouse capacity needs to scale quickly. More space, additional staffing, flexible shifts and streamlined picking processes help keep fulfilment running smoothly.
2. Prepare stock ahead of demand: Forecasting seasonal trends allows businesses to ship and position stock in advance, reducing the risk of delays causing shortages during sudden demand spikes.
3. Faster order processing: When customers expect next-day delivery, speed becomes critical. Efficient fulfilment workflows, good WMS and organised warehouse operations help businesses maintain service levels even during busy periods.
4. Supply chain coordination: During peak seasons, communication with shipping partners courier networks and fulfilment providers is essential, to know what’s happening and when to expect goods, therefore ensure customers receive orders on time.

How working with a 3PL like TPS can help.

1. We handle the whole supply chain – from the import/export of goods, to the warehouse storage, pick and pack fulfilment, and then end mile delivery to customers. Having one account manager and one point of contact saves time and ensures smooth running operations.
2. We are experienced with peak season demand – from the freight teams who secure rates and space to ensure goods aren’t bumped, to our warehouse teams who ensure stock is stored correctly for speedy fulfilment, we are BRCGS accredited meaning our storage and distribution services are outstanding.
3. We offer flexible pricing – No long-term contract, no minimum order or storage quantity, order fulfilment from £1, and you can be set up and ready to go in 24 hours.

Businesses that rely purely on reacting to demand often struggle during seasonal peaks. The most resilient operations use forecasting data and historical order trends to prepare inventory and staffing ahead of time.

Every business has its own peak season.

For some, it’s summer. For others, it’s Black Friday, Christmas or major product launches. Whatever the timing, having the right fulfilment and logistics support in place can make all the difference.

At TPS, we help businesses by handing the supply chain operation, enabling them to prepare for growth when demand suddenly surges.

Contact us about our services –

Tel: 01622 237979