Black Friday, a shopping event that takes place on the last weekend of November, marks the start of the Christmas shopping season. This occasion is now a tradition in which thousands of retailers lower their prices and offer promotions, which also represents a challenge for transportation and logistics.
For merchants, Black Friday is an opportunity that offers them certain benefits, such as:
Higher sales: In Mexico, small and medium-sized businesses estimate that seasonal sales, such as those made during Black Friday and Christmas, can increase by up to 35%. Likewise, 51% of people who do their Christmas shopping do so before December arrives.
Studies also show that Black Friday generated an 8%increase in online sales in 2023 compared to 2022 in our country. In terms of traditional commerce, retailers could increase their sales by up to 30%.
The increase in sales not only boosts their turnover and profits but also makes it easier for retailers to clear their inventory.
New customers: Black Friday is a time when many retailers take advantage of the opportunity to gain visibility, win back customers, or attract new ones. Of Mexican consumers, 84% are willing to spend more to shop at local businesses during this season, and 30% would even pay up to 10% more to support local commerce.
Online sales: Retailers can use the event to strengthen their online presence (digital marketing, social media, or collaborations with influencers) and thus position their brand for the last quarter of the year, sell more, and reach further. Research shows that, during this period, online shopping app installations grew 14%.
The supply and demand for goods, as well as all the movement generated by Black Friday, represents a major challenge for transportation and logistics companies, as the number of shipments during this season grows significantly: in Spain, it could increase to 5 million per day.
Without proper planning, transportation and logistics companies can suffer from congestion, bottlenecks, delays, and additional costs. It is estimated that in Mexico, in campaigns similar to Black Friday, the percentage of shoppers who faced delivery delays was 32% in 2023.
Retailers must prepare their supply chain, warehouses, packaging system, delivery fleet, or partnerships with logistics companies to meet demand. Some companies are turning to technological solutions (real-time tracking, fleet management, demand analysis) to respond to fast deliveries, order status, or returns.
ED Forwarding, a member of the PSA Group, is a transportation and logistics company that has partnerships, technology and capacity to handle seasons of high demand and freight traffic.
