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Black Friday is not just another date in the retail calendar. It is intense, fast paced and unforgiving. Customer expectations are higher, delivery windows are shorter and the margin for error is almost gone.
Packaging is often not the first priority in planning, but once orders surge and fulfilment speeds up, it becomes essential. It protects products, keeps costs under control and ensures orders keep moving.
Yet many businesses still leave packaging decisions until the last moment.
By November, a quick order is no longer enough. To support a smooth and efficient peak season, packaging needs secure planning in place.
The Pressure Is Here
By November, the peak season is no longer something to plan for. It is happening now. Retailers, e commerce brands and logistics providers are already working through the busiest trading period of the year.
Black Friday week alone can increase order volumes by up to 70 per cent above the annual average for larger online retailers. Courier capacity is tightening, surcharges are being applied and operational pressure is rising across the supply chain.
Material availability is now limited. Lead times are extending. Carriers are enforcing booking deadlines and capacity restrictions. The network is not preparing for peak season, it is already operating in it.
At this stage, packaging is not just another consumable. It is essential operational infrastructure. Without it, orders cannot be fulfilled, workflows slow down and performance is affected.
Lead Times Are Longer Than Expected
Outside of peak season, suppliers may quote lead times of one or two weeks. But once demand rises, those timings change quickly.
Orders that include;
Can see lead times extend to four to six weeks or more once peak season demand increases.
By mid-October, many manufacturers have closed their calendars for bespoke production. After this point, packaging becomes a compromise based on availability rather than suitability.
Last-Minute Ordering Increases Cost
Late packaging decisions don’t just create stress, they create cost.
When operations become reactive, businesses lose purchasing leverage, freight efficiency, and consistency. Prices rise, shipping becomes rushed, and decision-making becomes short-term rather than strategic.
Packaging-related issues contribute to more than £2 billion in avoidable waste across the UK supply chain, according to WRAP. Incorrect sizes, over-ordering, mislabelling, and damage in transit are common consequences of rushed decisions.
Planning early allows time for refinement, testing, and training, reducing operational friction and protecting margins.
Packaging Is Part of the Brand Experience
Customers don’t see capacity planning or procurement negotiations. They see what arrives at their door.
The box.
The presentation.
The care taken to protect the item.
The sustainability choices made.
According to Deloitte’s UK Consumer Tracker, 57% of consumers are more likely to stay loyal to a brand that delivers products in good condition using appropriate, sustainable packaging. This expectation is growing across both B2C and B2B markets.
Packaging is no longer just functional, it represents the brand.
Sustainability Takes Time
Demand for sustainable packaging continues to grow, but environmentally responsible materials can involve longer lead times, certification requirements, and testing.
If your peak-season packaging must support ESG goals or sustainability commitments, early preparation is essential. Leaving it late limits choice and makes compliance more difficult.
Planning now protects both your supply chain and environmental targets.
The Most Prepared Teams Are Already Acting
Businesses planning effectively for peak season are:
Packaging is not just about protection. It’s about readiness.
Black Friday brings opportunity, but it also brings pressure. Leaving packaging planning until the busiest period increases cost, risk, and operational disruption.
By acting now, you secure materials, maintain service levels, protect customer experience, and ensure operations run smoothly when demand peaks.
Whether you are shipping components, fulfilling wholesale orders, or preparing for a surge in consumer purchases, your packaging must be ready before orders increase, not during the rush.
If you would like support reviewing your packaging strategy, simplifying sourcing, or forecasting volume requirements, we’re here to help.
Contact us today at info@kbpackaging.com, call us on 0115 944 1600, or simply click the button below to fill out the form
Peak season isn’t just about what’s inside the box, it’s about the packaging that gets it there safely and makes it look amazing. For businesses,
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