We’re not yet halfway through summer, and the UK has already endured two gruelling heatwaves, writes Dan Starnes, Sales Director at goplasticpallets.com. For the majority of people, the last month has been about firing up barbecues, slapping on the sunscreen and trying to squeeze into paddling pools. But for retailers, the countdown to Christmas is already underway – and I do sincerely apologise for using the “C” word as the sun continues to beat down on us all!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are now two of the most crucial days in retailers’ calendars. What started as a one-day sales event in the 2010s has now grown into a full-scale retail campaign that stretches across weeks of deals and promotions, seamlessly blending into the traditional Christmas peak season. According to Reuters, British shoppers spent a whopping £3.8bn online across the four days of Black Friday to Cyber Monday in 2025, up 4.6% year-on-year. Meanwhile, Christmas spending climbed 3.5% to £24.6bn last year, according to a PwC survey.
The preparation for such a busy period must be meticulous. We asked several customers, partners and colleagues for their top tips for peak planning:
Don’t be afraid to leverage predictive analytics tools and programmes. These technologies, utilising big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, can help with forecasting, route optimisation, and supply chain management. This can help you to streamline operations and enhance productivity during peak times.
Businesses should also conduct a thorough audit of their facilities and materials handling equipment, ensuring they have the resources available to handle forecasted volumes and more. This might involve sourcing additional hand-held devices, forklifts, plastic pallets, scanners, and other essential equipment.
Equally important is ensuring that there is adequate storage space within the warehouse to accommodate the incoming stock. Conducting an audit of your existing inventory can provide valuable insights and help to optimise space. Consider relocating slow-moving products to temporary containers to create more room for high-demand items. This proactive approach helps to identify and address any potential bottlenecks or resource gaps.
Consider using folding large containers (FLCs) or foldable sleeve packs to make efficiency gains. When they are not in use, these sustainable products can be folded down to save significant space during transportation, as well as in the warehouse.
For example, our GoFLC 980 is a 1200mm x 1000mm x 980mm box that holds 847 litres but has a folded height of just 317mm when not in use. One of the UK’s leading home delivery partners relies on this box to manage larger, heavier parcels during peak seasons, while lighter parcels are placed directly into trailers. The exact logistics vary depending on the contract they have with their retail clients, with some opting to use FLCs for added protection and efficiency. These FLCs are dropped at client locations, filled with parcels, and collected later. By collapsing the containers ahead of initial delivery, they reduce the number of trailers needed, minimising emissions and streamlining operations.
Another major home delivery company uses our CabCube 1210 9F 2.0, which we offer on an exclusive basis to the UK market, fitted with a branded sleeve (1500mm high). These containers are designed to carry light parcels, which are placed in the open-topped boxes and then sent to the depot for sorting. The CabCube’s one-drop door feature simplifies the unloading process, while, again, the ability to collapse the base and sleeve saves space during transport, contributing to lower emissions. This efficient, space-saving solution enables the delivery provider to better manage peak volumes while boosting their environmental credentials.
Nestable plastic pallets are also an excellent choice for sustainable businesses looking to enhance operations during peak periods. You can typically load a 13.6m trailer with up to 1,450 nestable plastic pallets (each 1200mm x 1000mm stack will be 50/55 units), compared to just 400/450 wooden pallets (in stacks of 15/18).
With increased footfall and limited shelf space, retailers also need to think strategically when it comes to point-of-sale displays in order to sell more products in-store. Well-designed in-store displays don’t just showcase products, they influence buying behaviour, lead to impulse purchases, and drive higher transaction values. Yet creating those displays efficiently, especially when space is limited, can be a big challenge.
At goplasticpallets.com, we offer a fantastic range of display plastic pallets, which are already being used by hundreds of our customers for point of sale (POS) retail applications in supermarkets, garden and hardware stores and other outlets. This includes the UK’s first one-eighth size nestable plastic pallet: the Cabka Nest M1 4F. Designed for efficient point-of-sale display and product merchandising, this small yet durable pallet helps retailers make the most of their available floor space, particularly during peak periods such as the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, plus Christmas. Measuring 400mm x 300mm x 140mm, the Cabka Nest M1 4F is the smallest in our growing range. Manufactured from 100% recycled HDPE plastic, this innovative product offers a sustainable solution for retailers looking to maximise limited space while maintaining a clean, professional shop floor.
As we approach Q3 and head into the summer holiday season, now is the ideal time for those working in the retail sector to take stock of their storage and handling equipment. The last thing you want is for inefficient, damaged or unsuitable pallets, pallet boxes and containers to become a bottleneck when demand ramps up later in the year.
Whether you’re looking to improve warehouse efficiency, maximise storage space, support automation, or replace ageing equipment, our team can help you identify the right solution before peak season arrives. If you’d like to discuss your requirements, give us a call on 01323 744057 or email sales@goplasticpallets.com.
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