ECA

Prepping for Peak Season 2025

As the leaves start to change color and the nights get cooler, consumers know the holiday shopping season isn’t too far away. Carriers and shippers, on the other hand, traditionally prepare for peak selling season months in advance so they are ready to roll when the surge or peak season begins.

There’s always a balance to be considered: shippers and manufacturers try to predict the necessary product volume for the season to avoid stock-outs and overstocks, and carriers need to ensure they have the capacity to handle increased volume without over-hiring. All of this has been made more difficult this year due to the great uncertainty surrounding international tariffs.

Shippers and carriers base these complex equations on several methodologies, along with their industry experience, talking to peers, and even some educated guesswork.

Peak Planning for Shippers

Predictive planning for shippers includes:

Forecasting demand using historical sales data, market trends, and competitor insights
Optimizing inventory based on forecasts and real-time tracking
Securing carrier capacity in advance to lock in better rates and avoid challenges

Peak Planning for Carriers

Seasonal planning for carriers includes:

Enhancing warehouse efficiency where possible to handle increased volumes
Diversifying delivery capabilities with multiple carriers and shipping methods
Ensuring driver capacity by using flexible staffing models to scale the workforce

AI-Powered Demand Forecasting

Ongoing developments in AI-powered demand forecasting have created meaningful advantages. A quick online search reveals multiple AI solutions geared towards the retail and logistics industries, and we list a few below for both shippers and carriers. Keeping current with these advances is a great reason to attend ECA’s annual MarketPlace, where peers share knowledge and vendors exhibit the latest advances in available logistics tools.

With AI’s ability to include large data inputs from various sources, it can improve forecast accuracy and help reduce waste, optimize labor, and more closely match demand. Predictive AI software’s ability to handle fast scenario modeling based on user input, such as asking, “What if discounts increase demand by 10%?” and getting the answer in seconds, is a game-changer.

Here are just a few tools to explore as a starting point. There are many, and it’s important to note that none of these have been researched, or are endorsed by, ECA.

AI Tools for Shippers:

Prediko ($49/mos.), andFabrikator ($99/mos.) are budget-friendly and Shopify-based solutions that provide powerful and affordable SKU-level forecasting.

Inventory Planner ($299/mos.) uses machine learning algorithms to predict future trends by analyzing historical and external data.

Cin7 ($399/mos.) provides robust AI forecasting and works across multiple platforms for multi-channel retailers.

Brightpearl ($1200/mos.) is a pricier AI software option and brings deep planning and automation tools to help manage peak demand.

Shippers will want to strike a balance between AI-powered insights and affordability, depending on whether the brand is scaling across multiple channels and retail outlets or selling primarily through one channel and fewer locations.

AI Tools for Carriers:

Courier companies and smaller final-mile delivery trucking companies in the U.S. face a major operational stress test during the holiday season. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s, shipment volumes can spike by 30–60% or more, depending on the region and retail trends. To prepare, they need to take a multi-pronged approach blending technology, workforce scaling, route planning, and customer communication.

There are platforms available for final-mile delivery carriers to help predict holiday shipping needs, including volume forecasting, capacity planning, and dynamic routing.

Fleet Enable Intelligence is a demand forecasting tool designed specifically for final-mile carriers. It analyzes real-time company performance, identifies patterns and anomalies, and forecasts shipment volumes, revenue, driver efficiency, and delivery delays—all crucial for managing holiday peaks. It also provides a Capacity Optimization solution that calculates truck capacity and cargo dimensions, helping to plan loading accurately—preventing overweight or under-utilized trips.

Below are a few others to consider in support of this effort (and again, there are many options out there)

Wise Systems for dispatch and strategic route planning
Route4Me for AI-driven route optimization for deliveries

The ECA Member Directory is available to all ECA members and provides vetted resources for your search.

Planning for Peak Delivery Season Together

Planning for peak holiday logistics volume is crucial for both U.S. shippers and carriers to ensure efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profitability during the busiest season of the year. Demand typically surges in the weeks leading up to major holidays, and without proper preparation, the supply chain can quickly become overwhelmed. For shippers, early planning allows for better inventory management, accurate demand forecasting, and timely order fulfillment. It also helps avoid costly last-minute shipping rates and delays that can damage customer relationships and brand reputation.

For carriers, anticipating holiday volume enables them to allocate resources more effectively—such as trucks, drivers, and warehouse space—while optimizing delivery routes and scheduling. It also helps manage driver availability and meet strict delivery timelines, especially amid driver shortages and capacity constraints.

By working together in advance, shippers and carriers can secure capacity, negotiate rates, and establish clear communication protocols to handle unexpected disruptions. Solid business relationships made at ECA MarketPlace are a tremendous advantage here. Proactive planning also allows for integration of technology tools like real-time tracking and data analytics, which enhance visibility and operational decision-making. In a competitive market, those who fail to plan risk missed delivery windows, excess costs, and dissatisfied customers—making strategic preparation essential for success during the holiday season.

Footnote:

There are, of course, numerous ECA member companies engaged in optimizing logistics for their clients through the use of AI and other proprietary technologies. Readers may also wish to explore their offerings as part of their planning process and operational strategy:

Bean AI https://www.beans.ai/

Crown Data Systems https://www.crowndatasystems.com/

CXT Software https://cxtsoftware.com/

DFRNT https://deliverdifferent.com/

Dispatch Science https://www.dispatchscience.com/

e-Courier Software e-courier.com

Fleet Enable https://fleetenable.com/

Key Software https://www.keysoftwaresystems.com/

Konexial https://konexial.com/

Logistics Technology HQ https://www.logisticstechhq.com/

Navagis https://navagis.com/

Nuvizz https://nuvizz.com/