Every October, as the streets fill with costumes and pumpkins, logistics companies face their own “scares” in the form of operational challenges. Halloween is not only a very popular holiday for consumers, but also a critical time for supply chains, especially in sectors such as retail where costumes and decorations are sold.

Challenges can arise in international logistics around 31 October, but with a good operational strategy it is possible to turn them into opportunities What actions can be taken?

• Plan ahead: Halloween is a date that is characterized by very specific and short-lived peaks in demand. Retailers expect large volumes of products such as costumes, sweets and decorations, but any delays can cause products to arrive out of season, losing their value. It is vital to plan ahead.
• Coordination in the logistics chain: Many Halloween products, such as costumes and decorations, are manufactured in Asia and other international markets. It can be a real challenge to coordinate your transport under tight time constraints, with possible delays at customs or congestion at ports.
• Monitor storage: Warehouse space is often limited, and the arrival of seasonal products can overwhelm facilities. This not only affects Halloween, but also the preparations for the Christmas season, which starts immediately afterwards.
• Dealing with product returns: Once Halloween is over, unsold products such as costumes and themed decorations need to be disposed of quickly. Returns or stock transfers can become a persistent problem if not managed correctly.

 A logistics strategy for managing Halloween trade

At Logisber, we help our customers meet these challenges with customized solutions such as forward planning, efficient transport, intelligent warehouse management or effective reverse logistics.

Halloween can be a season of logistical ‘scares’, but with the right planning and partners it is possible to turn challenges into successes.