October 2025 - JEM News
Black Friday isn’t just about big discounts and a surge in sales – it’s also a critical opportunity to strengthen customer loyalty. With so many brands competing for attention, it’s often the fulfilment experience that determines whether a one-off shopper becomes a lifelong customer. Smooth logistics, fast shipping, and accurate orders aren’t just “nice-to-haves”; they’re essentials.
Here’s how businesses can prepare their fulfilment operations for Black Friday and why getting it right matters so much for customer retention.
Analysing last year’s sales data, identifying bestsellers, and anticipating promotional demand allows you to stock accordingly.
Here’s a quick Black Friday Fulfilment Checklist to help you prepare:
1. Review last year’s performance
Look back at what worked and what didn’t. Which products sold fastest? Where did problems appear in fulfilment or delivery?
2. Forecast smartly
Even late in the game, using current sales trends and pre-order data can help you anticipate demand spikes and adjust stock levels.
3. Audit your stock locations
Make sure your most popular items are positioned for quick picking and dispatch. A tidy, well-organised warehouse can shave valuable time off each order.
4. Stress-test your systems
From order processing to courier integrations, run test scenarios to identify potential slowdowns before the rush begins.
5. Communicate across teams
Ensure your sales, marketing, and operations teams are aligned. Everyone should know when promotions go live and how fulfilment will handle the surge.
6. Secure extra support early
If you’re unsure whether your current setup can handle the pressure, outsourcing parts of your fulfilment – or even seeking short-term consultancy – can make a big difference.
At JEM, our fulfilment services include inventory planning and management to help brands stay ahead. We often work with businesses at this stage – helping them assess their readiness and optimise their processes before the first orders start rolling in.
Black Friday orders often arrive in waves, testing even the most experienced fulfilment teams. A warehouse that isn’t optimised for speed and accuracy can quickly fall behind. That’s why order processing, pick and pack, and kitting services need to be streamlined long before peak season.
Our technology-driven processes ensure that stock is tracked in real-time, and high-demand products are picked, packed, and shipped with precision. By reducing errors and delays, businesses protect their reputation when it matters most – during the biggest shopping weekend of the year.
Even when your warehouse runs like clockwork, the delivery experience can make or break customer satisfaction. Partnering with reliable couriers, securing capacity early, and planning for delays is essential during Black Friday, when networks are under strain.
Here at JEM, we work closely with trusted courier partners to keep shipments on track, both domestically and internationally. Real-time tracking and clear communication give customers peace of mind, showing them that their orders are in safe hands. It’s a simple but great way to build trust.
When customers place an order on Black Friday, they’re buying into the promise that it will arrive quickly, securely and exactly as expected. A single mistake can undo weeks of marketing and discounts, while a flawless fulfilment experience can create repeat buyers. That’s why our fulfilment solutions are built around consistency and care.
Customers who receive their orders on time, without errors, remember the ease of the experience long after the Black Friday sales have ended. Want to make sure your Black Friday fulfilment builds loyalty, not frustration? Get in touch to discuss how we can help deliver a seamless experience that keeps customers coming back.
With higher order volumes come more returns and how you handle them matters. A clear, straightforward returns process saves time and builds trust.
Consider offering:
A positive returns experience can turn what might be a negative touchpoint into another reason for customers to shop with you again.
Transparency is the thread that ties great Black Friday fulfilment together. Customers appreciate updates at every stage – from order confirmation to shipping and delivery. Delays happen, especially during peak season, but when businesses are upfront and communicative, customers are more forgiving.
The real value of Black Friday is the loyalty that businesses can generate by delivering an exceptional experience under pressure. Shoppers who receive a seamless fulfilment process are more likely to subscribe to newsletters, join loyalty programmes, and return for future purchases.
By investing in reliable fulfilment services, you won’t just meet the demands, you’ll be signing up for all the long-term customer retention.
With JEM as your fulfilment partner, you can face Black Friday with confidence. From forecasting and stock intake to courier coordination and returns, we handle every detail to ensure your customers receive the reliable service they expect.
Let us help you turn Black Friday into more than just a sales event – let’s make it the starting point for lasting customer loyalty. Contact us, let’s talk about how JEM can support your business, whether through short-term consultancy or complete fulfilment management.
If you've any questions about this article, or just want to get in touch, simply fill out the contact form below.
Alternatively, you can call us on 01483 204479
