How to Secure Reliable Freight Services in the Final Weeks Before Christmas

The holiday season, especially in weeks preceding Christmas, puts considerable pressure on supply chains. Shippers face a perfect storm of challenges: limited capacity, skyrocketing spot market rates, tight delivery windows, and last-minute orders. It would be of essence to secure reliable freight services through strategic planning, solid relationships, and flexibility during this time.

Whether you are a small retailer, an e-commerce giant, or a food distributor, here's how you can navigate this high-demand period effectively and have your goods reach their destination on time.

The Challenge of Last-Minute Shipping Before Christmas
As the holidays approach, demand for freight capacity outstrips supply, and rates shoot upward. According to DAT Freight & Analytics, spot market rates can surge by 20-30% in December compared to off-peak months. Furthermore, FreightWaves adds that e-commerce growth has only added to the strain, with online holiday sales surging by nearly 15% annually in recent years.

For businesses, the stakes are high. Delayed shipments can lead to lost revenue, unsold inventory, and dissatisfied customers. Acting quickly and strategically is essential to securing capacity without breaking the bank.

Strategies to Secure Reliable Freight Services

1.Build Strong Relationships with Freight Brokers and Carriers
Freight brokers are worth their weight in gold during the holiday season, as they utilize their networks to secure capacity and negotiate competitive rates. Often, brokers with established relationships with carriers can bump your shipments to the front of the line, even during peak demand.

Why It Matters: Brokers act as middlemen who can match you with carriers experienced in handling time-sensitive holiday freight. Their connections allow them to secure capacity that might not be available directly to shippers.

Example: By partnering with a broker, you might have access to specialized carriers offering expedited services to ensure your goods move quicker, even on tight schedules.
Stat Source: In a survey conducted by Logistics Management, 83% of shippers consider brokers indispensable during peak seasons.

2.Create Room for Flexibility in Shipping Options
The closer we get to Christmas, the harder it becomes to secure traditional truckload or LTL capacity. Those who remain flexible in shipping methods—such as by utilizing intermodal options or deferred delivery—can better drive down costs and secure available capacity.
Deferred Shipping: If you have shipments that are not urgent, deferred delivery services can help you avoid premium rates.
Multimodal Transport: Combine trucking with rail or air for expanding your options and reducing bottlenecks.
Stat Source: According to the National Retail Federation, flexible shipping options can cut costs by 10-25% during peak seasons.

3.Leverage Technology for Route Optimization and Real-Time Tracking

Technology is at the heart of handling last-minute freight. Advanced Transportation Management Systems and real-time tracking tools help you to find efficient routes and avoid delays, keeping you in the know throughout the shipping process.

Benefits of Real-Time Tracking: Proactive updates enable you to communicate with customers and adjust plans accordingly.
Route Optimization: Software tools can detect alternative routes to avoid congestion or weather disruptions.

Stat Source: According to a report by McKinsey & Company, companies that use route optimization tools experience a 15% reduction in transit times.

4.Optimize Shipment Sizes with Load Consolidation

For companies whose shipment volumes are not as big, consolidating loads with other shippers going to similar destinations will cut costs and ensure faster service. Consolidation of a load is a method that maximizes truck capacity and minimizes running empty miles.

How It Works: Freight brokers can identify opportunities to combine your shipments with others, reducing the cost per unit shipped.
Example: A retailer shipping smaller quantities of holiday inventory might consolidate loads with another retailer to share the cost of a truckload.

Stat Source: Research from the Journal of Supply Chain Management shows that load consolidation can cut shipping costs by 20-30%.

5.Communicate Clearly and Proactively with Stakeholders

In peak season, communicate your shipment priorities and deadlines as clearly as possible, and share any flexibility you may have to help brokers and carriers with their planning.

Transparency: Give all the correct shipment information at the right time to avoid miscommunication and delays.
Regular Updates: Stay in touch with your broker or carrier to ensure your goods are on track for delivery.

Stat Source: According to research by Gartner, proactive communication is a top priority for 87% of shippers in logistics partnerships.

Why You Can't Afford to Wait

As Christmas approaches, available capacity diminishes further, and rates inch even higher. Waiting until the last minute could be the reason for significant cost increases or missed delivery windows. By implementing these strategies early in the game, you secure reliable freight services and avoid the holiday chaos.

Freight brokers are particularly important in this period, acting as problem solvers who help connect shippers with carriers. Their experience and networks enable them to find cost-effective solutions, even in the most constrained markets.

Final Thoughts

The weeks leading up to Christmas are a critical time for shippers, but they don’t have to be stressful. With strong broker relationships, flexible shipping options, and the right technology, businesses can navigate this high-demand period successfully.

The key is to act quickly, communicate clearly, and remain adaptable. By doing so, you’ll not only meet your holiday shipping deadlines but also build a stronger logistics strategy for the future.

Sources:
DAT Freight & Analytics
FreightWaves
National Retail Federation
Journal of Supply Chain Management
McKinsey & Company
Logistics Management