Supply chain logistics is a demanding field. It involves the efficient management of the flow of goods from production points to warehouses to consumers. Keeping goods flowing smoothly from Point A to Point B is challenging at any time of year. But when the seasonal demands of consumers dramatically increase, it can be even more difficult to keep up. As a case in point, consider the spooky logistics of the Halloween supply chain.
Non-Perishable Halloween Consumables
Like many other holidays, traditional purchases for Halloween fall into two general categories: non-perishable and perishable items. The non-perishable items include costumes for humans and pets, costume makeup, interior and exterior decorations, and miscellaneous items like decorated buckets and bags to collect candy. These non-perishable items represent a relatively straightforward challenge for the transportation industry. Since they aren’t perishable, they can often accumulate at distribution centers ahead of the Halloween shopping rush. Then, they are ready to ship out to bulk buyers and individual consumers when the seasonal orders start coming in. However, there is one major challenge for business owners to consider. Although they can order non-perishable items ahead of time to have in stock, trends change from one year to the next. Last year’s in-demand costumes might not be so in-demand this year. It’s necessary to stay on top of the latest trends before selecting the inventory.
Perishable Halloween Consumables
Perishable items are more challenging for the supply chain for obvious reasons. If you’re shipping Halloween pumpkins, for example, you’ll need to send them in a truck with temperature and humidity control. In addition, you’ll need to ensure that there are no other fruits or vegetables in the truck that would give off ethylene gas, as this can cause the pumpkins to prematurely ripen and begin to rot. Similarly, Halloween candy must be shipped in refrigerated cargo trucks or else it could begin to melt.
No matter how much demand peaks this season, the logistics professionals at Xcel Delivery Services are ready for it. We provide a full suite of services ranging from warehousing to fleet delivery to cross-docking. You can reach our office in Phoenix at (602) 368-1300 to request a quote for our services.
