VP Business Development & Marketing
TGW North America
Major sporting events and holidays are exciting times for people—but for grocery businesses, they signal a marathon of logistical challenges. Whether it’s needing an influx of frozen appetizers for the Big Game or last-minute Thanksgiving turkeys, peak days bring unique pressures on supply chain operations. Missing the mark doesn’t just mean delayed deliveries or less stock-on-hand; it means unhappy customers, lower sales, and losing your competitive edge.
But don’t worry—there are solutions. Warehouse automation solutions, like our FullPick, are helping supply chain professionals stay ahead of the game during busy peak seasons. Automation not only ensures that foods stay fresher, but also that orders are fulfilled accurately and quickly, even on tight timelines.
Peak periods require agility, precision, and an unerring ability to predict, plan, and respond to sudden shifts. Three major challenges for grocery logistics during high-demand periods:
Think about the products flying off shelves leading up to the Big Game—wings, chips, dips, soda, and beer. Events like these trigger a significant spike in demand for a limited range of products, putting manual fulfillment systems and already-maxed-out operations under immense pressure. Your operations need the flexibility required to suddenly take on more stock for a limited range of SKUs and then prioritize orders for those items. Otherwise, you increase the risk of out-of-stock situations that frustrate customers and hurt sales.
Ecommerce grocery orders continue to trend upward, and peak days only amplify existing logistical challenges for delivery. For families or friends hosting parties, timely delivery of fresh, last-minute grocery items can be essential. Fulfillment centers handling both online and in-store orders might find themselves scrambling to meet demand, balancing the different operational requirements for each channel, leading to late deliveries and unhappy customers.
Brick-and-mortar demands don’t slow down during peak periods. Grocers must maintain full shelves for walk-in customers while simultaneously fulfilling escalating online orders—a balancing act that can be chaotic without streamlined processes. Poor shelf stock leads to diminished in-store customer experiences and lost sales opportunities.
When the stakes are high, like they can be for the Big Game, automation is your most reliable teammate. A well-design warehouse automation system doesn't just handle surges in demand—it anticipates them, adapts to them, and ensures operational harmony. Here's how automation supports your operations during peak periods from the warehouse all the way to your customer's table:
Remember—you have to get those veggie platters and freshly made dips to stores and homes in time for the Big Game, without any spoilage. Our automated warehouse solution for grocery enables logistics centers to process and dispatch orders faster and in optimal temperature zones. This keeps frozen and fresh foods at their best.
Whether fulfilling in-store demand or meeting skyrocketing ecommerce orders, FullPick effectively handles multiple channels. Advanced technologies for both split and full case orders work in sync to ensure smooth workflows, enabling you to simultaneously stock shelves for physical stores and dispatch orders for doorstep delivery without overloading operations. Omni channel readiness has become essential in grocery logistics, as retailers increasingly need to cater to both in-store and online customers.
When peak periods hit, issues such as inventory mismanagement or delivery delays must be solved in real time. Our advanced WERX warehouse management software (WMS) includes AI-based analytics for real-time visibility into your operations. You can be empowered to take actionable insights and make proactive adjustments—ensuring you maintain control and keep things running smoothly, even during the most chaotic peaks.
Warehouse automation systems can easily handle higher order volumes without breaking stride. By automating picking and palletizing processes and streamlining order fulfillment, you can increase throughput and ensure every order reaches its destination quickly.
Think of a warehouse automation system like FullPick as the quarterback of your fulfillment center. It reads the field (your supply chain needs), calls the right plays (prioritizing inventory and optimizing fulfillment), and makes the perfect pass (on-time delivery to customers). When peak periods arrive, automation ensures your team doesn’t fumble.
While tackling peak periods is crucial, grocery fulfillment centers also need reliable solutions for day-to-day operations. That’s where FullPick truly shines. Beyond just aiding in peak efficiency, it ensures consistency and operational control year-round.
Here’s how FullPick transforms daily operations:
FullPick’s advanced algorithms allow you to palletize orders more intelligently, tailoring pallets to store-specific layouts and needs. This streamlines shelf replenishment, reduces labor time, and ensures that grocery items spend minimal time outside of ideal temperature conditions.
Even on standard business days, FullPick enhances order accuracy, reduces labor inefficiencies, and ensures optimal inventory management. By maintaining consistent operational quality, your fulfillment center is always efficient and ready to adapt to any upcoming changes or peak periods.
FullPick’s impact isn’t limited to grocery retailers alone. It’s a technology that can transform operations in industries like foodservice too. Want to see how? Watch our webinar where we dive into how FullPick's optimized palletizing has become a gamechanger for the last mile in foodservice.
When major holidays and sporting events loom, supply chain professionals face enormous challenges in preparing their operations for the surges in demand. However, with warehouse automation solutions like FullPick, you can deliver extraordinary results—not just during peak periods, but every day.
By keeping groceries fresher, streamlining omni channel operations, and empowering proactive decision-making, FullPick gives you a competitive edge. Whether your customers are rushing to the store or placing online orders, your fulfillment center will ensure happy customers, strong sales, and next-level efficiency.
Ready to up your game for peak and beyond? Contact us for a free consultation and take the first step toward optimized fulfillment.
