Seasonal Shipping Tips for Wellness and Hemp Brands

Understanding Seasonal Shipping Challenges

For wellness and hemp brands, the holiday season brings a surge in demand—and a unique set of shipping challenges. From fluctuating carrier rates to weather-related delays, brands must navigate a complex logistics landscape to ensure products reach customers on time. The first step in overcoming these challenges is having a strategy built around data, preparation, and flexibility.

One major hurdle during the holiday season is the sheer volume of packages in transit. Carriers often struggle to meet demand, leading to slower deliveries. Add in unpredictable weather—like Minnesota snowstorms—and it becomes even more important to have a contingency plan in place. Preparing early can mean the difference between frustrated customers and glowing reviews.

Optimizing Your Shipping Strategy

To stay ahead of seasonal slowdowns, now’s the time to optimize your logistics approach. Start by reviewing past performance data: Which SKUs sold the fastest? Where did shipping delays occur? Use those insights to forecast demand and make smarter inventory decisions.

It’s also smart to diversify your carriers. Relying on a single provider can create bottlenecks. Partnering with a fulfillment center that offers strong carrier relationships and advanced warehouse management software (WMS) can keep things flowing smoothly. From real-time order syncing to batch printing labels, tech-enabled fulfillment helps you move faster—and smarter.

Communicating with Customers

Customer expectations skyrocket during the holidays. Set yourself apart with clear, proactive communication. Be upfront about shipping deadlines and potential delays, and send automatic updates as orders move through each stage.

Consider offering multiple shipping speeds—standard, expedited, or even local pickup if you’re a Minnesota-based brand. Highlight cutoff dates clearly on your site and in marketing emails. A transparent experience builds trust and reduces customer service inquiries.

Leveraging Technology for Efficiency

Automated systems are your best ally during high-volume periods. Fulfillment centers using cloud-based WMS platforms can integrate directly with Shopify and other ecommerce platforms, allowing orders to sync, track, and ship in real time.

This automation minimizes errors and frees up your team to focus on customer engagement, marketing, and growing the business. Bonus: Customers get tracking info right away, reducing anxiety and boosting satisfaction.

Planning for International Shipping

If your brand ships internationally, be prepared for even more variables. Customs regulations can delay shipments without proper documentation, especially for hemp-derived products.

A fulfillment partner familiar with global hemp compliance can streamline the process. From generating accurate customs forms to managing duties and taxes, the right logistics team ensures you don’t lose time—or product—at the border.

Preparing for Returns and Exchanges

Returns are a natural part of the holiday season, especially for gift purchases. Make the process easy for your customers and efficient for your team.

Offer pre-paid return labels, include clear return instructions, and communicate timelines for refunds or exchanges. A hassle-free return experience keeps customers coming back—even if the gift didn’t work out the first time.