Updated 10/1/2021
Whether it’s a package to your home or an important shipment to your business, deliveries have been slower than usual, delayed for weeks, or lost completely. The topsy-turvy shipping industry could be nicely explained by the pandemic in 2020, but as 2022 draws near, why is the industry still experiencing shipping pains?
What is happening in the shipping industry? Problems by land & (mostly) sea
When the pandemic began in 2020, most ocean freight companies predicted demand to go down. Consumers, after a short buying pause, realized the pandemic would last longer than expected and began to shift their spending habits online. The whiplash the container shipping industry experienced was compounded by a blockage in the Suez Canal in March and the temporary shutdown of a key port in China. Today, ports are experiencing heavy congestion due to a lack of workers, a container shortage, and capacity issues. Industry experts do not expect the backlog to ease by the end of 2021.
The pandemic laid bare underlying problems in the shipping industry, especially for ocean freight. The port problems then and now are causing ripple effects across the shipping industry as distributing the goods from the port by truck faces long wait times, and shippers opt for air cargo instead of ocean freight. Both airfreight and trucking are bogged down by capacity issues, pandemic protocols, and labor shortages.
How does this affect peak season?
Businesses had hoped that the pandemic would be in the rearview mirror by now, but the Delta variant has caused many to tap the brakes. Shoppers are once again expected to break ecommerce records, causing peak shipping season to begin November 1, rather than on black Friday. Furthermore, retailers are emphasizing that consumers should order early to mitigate shipping delays during the holidays. To support this year’s peak shipping season, FedEx is spending $7.2 billion to adapt to surging demands and capacity constraints.
Compound this unpredictable season with the added hazards of snow, rain, sleet, and whatever other tumultuous weather phenomena that may cause shipping bottlenecks, and it becomes clear that clinics will need to be prepared. Read on for best practices to ensure on-time deliveries of orthotic and prosthetic devices for patients this holiday season.
Best Practices for ordering O&P during the peak holiday season
Patient Planning:
Impacted locations should understand changes to service time-in-transit windows when scheduling patient visits and make necessary adjustments.
Upgrade Your Shipping Method:
Upgrading shipping method to expedite shipments should be considered to meet scheduling deadlines for sensitive deliveries. We recommend customers always upgrade when ordering a high-dollar and/or highly time-sensitive item.
Sign-up for Notifications:
Sign up to receive advance shipping notifications via your ecommerce platform or parcel carrier.
Hold at Locations:
Check to see where your nearest Hold at Location is for your carrier and use this service to pick-up packages outside of normal clinic hours.
Nobody enjoys waiting for packages, but by leveraging tools available and with a little strategic planning, your clinic will be able to prepare for another challenging shipping season.
Want more shipping tips? Check out 4 Ways Your Clinic Can Save Money on Shipping.
SPS Check-in: Discussion on Backorders and Manufacturer Supply Chain Challenges
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