Turn pressure into opportunity
The Peak Season Index
Dive into fresh data, trend analysis, and practical resources to help you navigate the busiest shopping months with confidence. Explore what matters most to online shoppers, and turn holiday pressure into growth.
Europe’s busiest shipping day: Cyber Monday parcel volume triples
The e-commerce peak hit harder than ever. Sendcloud data shows parcel volumes surged 211% across Europe. Black Friday week shipments climbed 32.8% year-on-year, with Cyber Monday up 12.5% on the day. Retailers and carriers felt the strain as networks neared capacity.
Read more on what this means for deliveries
Don’t get caught off guard!
See what consumers expect this year
Consumers will remember your reliability and service long after the sale, not the discount. Nail these four pillars, and you’ll turn the holiday rush into long-term loyalty.
Broken promises kill loyalty
Shoppers have little patience for missed promises: 68% will switch stores after a failed delivery. Read why reliability now outweighs discounts.
Lockers and pick-up-points, for delivery flexibility
This holiday season, flexibility wins. Whether lockers, pick-up points, or home delivery—shoppers want choice. Retailers succeed by letting customers decide how and when parcels arrive.
One late gift, one lost customer
46% of shoppers switch stores after one failed delivery. During peak season, emotions run high. Be transparent about deadlines and keep customers informed.
Easy returns, brings loyal customers
Returns may surge after peak season, but they’re a chance to build trust. Keep the process simple, transparent, and sustainable to turn seasonal shoppers into loyal fans.
Returns
70% of shoppers say easy returns make them more loyal
Returns can feel like an avalanche after peak season, but they’re also a chance to earn trust. Shoppers expect a process that’s simple, transparent, and sustainable. See how smart return policies can turn seasonal buyers into year-round advocates.
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%
Are more loyal to brands with simple return processes
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%
See returns as an integral part of the online shopping experience
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%
Have pretended to like a gift to avoid the hassle of returns
Marketplace returns: from operational chaos to return intelligence
In this article, we break down why peak-season marketplace returns are so complex, and what shoppers expect when things go wrong.
10 effective strategies to reduce returns in e-commerce
Returns drain valuable resources, impeding your business’s growth. Explore 10 effective strategies to reduce your e-commerce returns.
5 international returns tips for trouble-free processing
Overcome the challenges of processing international returns. Discover our top 5 tips for e-retailers to master international returns!
Loyalty
Why Christmas delivery decides your customer loyalty for the entire year
Christmas delivery is the moment that makes or breaks customer loyalty. Nearly half of consumers abandon a retailer after one failed holiday delivery, but a smooth experience keeps 67% loyal all year. During Peak Season, delivery isn’t logistics; it’s a loyalty strategy.
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%
Stop buying from a retailer after a single failed holiday delivery
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%
Stay loyal for the rest of the year with December delivery goes smooth
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%
Forgive delays if they are proactively informed
How delivery frustrations impact repeat purchases
Damaged parcels, missed deadlines, and poor support drive customers away. Learn what drives customers away and how to win them back.
How predicting delivery delays increases customer satisfaction
Late deliveries hurting your business? Discover 3 expert tips to predict delays early, improve transparency, and keep your customers happy.
12 ways to reduce customer inquiries during peak season
Struggling with “Where is my order” queries? Learn 12 proven strategies to reduce WISMO, improve tracking visibility, and keep customer smiling.
Delivery
When delivery promises break, trust breaks too
Shoppers remember every missed delivery. In fact, 61% say one broken promise is enough to switch retailers. Our latest consumer research uncovers what buyers really expect from this peak season, and how to keep them coming back..
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%
Would wait longer rather than pay more for next-day delivery.
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%
Are more forgiving when retailers communicate delays proactively.
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%
Expect full honesty about delivery times, even in peak season.
“We have more control over our delivery process. By communicating delivery issues proactively, we’ve got our CSAT and Trustpilot scores up in six months.”
Alex Formicola – Customer Support Lead
Don’t let delivery delays derail your e-commerce
Delays happen, but it’s how you handle them that matters. In this article you will learn about the main causes of delays and how to tackle them.
Your Peak Season guide: Forecast, deadlines & tips
Find the solutions to common pitfalls you face when you ship e-commerce products. Prepare for the inevitable and avoid unwelcome surprises.
Solve the 8 most common shipping problems
Discover why 1 in 3 shoppers abandon their carts due to delivery costs, and what you can do to turn shipping into your biggest conversion tool.
Flexibility
How to lock in delivery flexibility
This holiday season, flexibility beats speed. From lockers and pick-up points to at-home delivery, shoppers want options that fit their routine. Retailers who win peak season are those who let customers choose how and when their parcels arrive.
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%
Trust parcel lockers/pick-up points over home delivery during holidays.
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%
Say parcel lockers feel safer than leaving a package at their door.
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%
Prefer using lockers or pick-up points to avoid failed deliveries.
How parcel lockers could save peak season 2025
As Black Friday creeps earlier each year and delivery expectations keep rising, Europe’s logistics networks are being stretched to their limits. Sendcloud’s latest data shows the busiest shopping week also carries the highest delivery risk, while parcel lockers could be the solution for everyone.
Reduce shipping costs with out-of-home delivery
Discover how online retailers can use out-of-home delivery to reduce shipping cost by an average of 10% while improving customer experience.
Why flexible delivery is essential for e-commerce
Explore how flexible delivery options can drive customer satisfaction and retention. Learn why this trend is reshaping e-commerce success.
Why delivery costs are a dealbreaker
Discover why 1 in 3 shoppers abandon their carts due to delivery costs, and what you can do to turn shipping into your biggest conversion tool.
Make Peak Season 2025 your strongest yet
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