For X2, Christmas really started in September!
Although many of us involved in logistics complain about the Christmas peak getting later and later each year, our supermarkets actually start to transform in September, with a large variety of products either disappearing from the shelves completely or their presence being significantly reduced on the shelf edge to make space available for Christmas lines. Out go the BBQ’s and gardening products and in come the tins of biscuits, mince pies and the Christmas puddings!
X2 began discussions with the UK market leader in the production and distribution of Christmas puddings in July of last year which culminated in us being been nominated to deliver into a wide selection of their retail customers for the 2011 season, with collections made from a number of their sites in the UK.
The initial stock allocation is very well planned but can often result in multiple loads being delivered into retailer RDC’s in very close succession, as stores change over their planograms with secondary waves and peaks as the consumer sales drive replenishment patterns right through to Christmas.
For many businesses the challenges of implementing large scale logistics operations for a matter of a few short weeks or months often when the rest of the transport market is already very busy and resource difficult to find, can impact on the efficiency of the supply chain and drive up costs.
The X2 business is uniquely placed to support supply patterns such as this, as we can switch on significant resource at very short notice and sustain this for whatever period the customer requires and then switch off that resource without any residual cost.
X2’s service exceeded the customer’s required standards and expectations and as a result we have been asked to support their business again next year.
So, if you are a manufacturer, importer or retailer looking for a cost effective nationwide full load, part load or pallet solution for 52 weeks or just for 2 weeks, whether your products are BBQ’s or Garden compost, or garden furniture or Christmas puddings, we can help!