The weeks before peak season decide how your e-commerce sales will perform in December. Campaigns, inventory, and traffic all rise, but none of it matters if deliveries fail to keep up. For brands selling across the EU, the right logistics partner protects customer trust, controls costs, and keeps promises visible on your website.
If you want reliable performance during the Christmas peak, this guide will help you evaluate your current Fulfillment and Last Mile provider, or begin to engage with us for a thorough consultation.
The Essential Checklist ✅
Capacity and scalability
- Can your partner absorb two to three times more orders
- Are pick and pack times protected under peak load
- Do SLAs remain intact when volume surges
Cut-off times and delivery promises
- Clear per-country cut-offs
- Reliable 24 to 72-hour delivery services that you can advertise
- Real-time adjustments based on capacity
Integrations
- Native with platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce and marketplaces such as Amazon
- Real-time sync of orders, stock and returns
- API for ERP or custom platforms
Tracking and visibility
- Dashboards for On-Time Delivery, failed deliveries and returns
- Proactive alerts for delivery exceptions
- Simple tracking links for customers in every market
Returns and reverse logistics
- Defined, standardised workflows that are uniform across every country
- Known handling costs and restocking times
- Full visibility until items return to stock
Cash on Delivery
- COD in markets where it drives conversion
- Verification and settlement process
- Clear reconciliation that protects cashflow
Flexible Customer Support
- Multilingual customer support team
- Expected response times
- Peak-season escalation rules
Pricing and surcharges
- Transparent rates
- Peak or fuel surcharges made visible
- Transparent costs for returns, repacking or address changes
Operational quality and SLAs
- Committed On-Time Delivery levels
- Carrier KPIs
- Contingency plan if a carrier fails
Pick, pack and presentation
- Quality control
- Sustainable packaging
- Seasonal extras such as bundles, inserts or gift cards
Security and compliance
- Insurance for loss or damage
- GDPR compliance
- Certifications and audit readiness
Data and Reporting
- Exportable reports for analysis
- API access for BI teams
- Historical data for forecasting
How to Use the Checklist
- Score your current provider (1–5 per item).
- Spot the gaps likely to hurt your efficiency or margins during peaks.
- Plan fixes you can lock in before December (cut-offs, carriers, CX, returns).
Conclusion
Peak performance is a result of strong preparation. Your logistics partner influences delivery promises, customer satisfaction and operational costs at the moment your brand is most visible, during high-season peak sales campaigns.
