Nov 27
Black Friday
Coordinate extra pick/pack shifts with your 3PL for the volume surge.
PEAK SEASON 2025
Peak Season Resource Center
Peak season is here. Spending is still strong, but shoppers are playing it smart. With spending projected to slow and consumers prioritizing value over volume, this year’s winners will be the brands that deliver exceptional experiences: fast, reliable fulfillment, transparent communication, and smart inventory planning.
Key dates & BFCM countdown
Use this calendar to align campaigns, inventory, and fulfillment with the biggest shopping moments of the season.
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Nov 30
Cyber Monday
Prepare for one of the largest online order volumes of the year.
Dec 1
FBA Christmas Inventory Deadline
Ensure inventory arrives by this date to protect Prime badge readiness for Christmas orders.
Late Nov – Dec 24
Omnichannel Focus
Increase same-day, next-day, and BOPIS/curbside options for last-minute shoppers.
Dec 24–25
Christmas Day
Monitor post-holiday return volumes and ensure reverse logistics workflows are ready.
Dec 26 – Jan 5
Returns Peak
Use 3PL reverse logistics capacity to process returns quickly and restock high-velocity SKUs.
Confidence vs reality: What retailer leaders expect
93%
expect peak season demand to increase
61%
are very confident in their ability to meet demand
79%
expect to make reactive decisions once volume spikes
The gaps keeping retail leaders up at night
Peak season risk isn’t limited to one area of the business. Inventory, labor, transportation, and forecasting challenges are all competing for attention as retailers prepare for higher demand. Here’s where leaders see the greatest operational risk heading into peak season 2026.
Inventory imbalance
Labor shortages
Cost spikes
Carrier delays
Inaccurate forecasts
Systems outages
Returns overload
Supplier delays
Weather disruptions
What retailers are doing to protect margins
Retailers aren’t relying on a single tactic to protect margins. Instead, they’re combining inventory, shipping, fulfillment, and promotional strategies to control costs while maintaining the customer experience. Here’s where leaders are focusing their efforts heading into peak season 2026.
Smarter inventory placement
Rate shopping
Bundled fulfillment
Selective promotions
Delivery promise resets
What retailers need from 3PLs in 2026
Peak season success depends on more than inventory and labor planning. Retail leaders increasingly expect their 3PL partners to play a strategic role in managing risk, improving visibility, and supporting operational agility. These are the capabilities retailers say matter most as they prepare for another year of growing demand.
59%
Carrier diversification
Retailers need partners that can help reduce transportation risk by supporting multiple carrier options before peak volume hits.
52%
Inventory accuracy
Accurate inventory data helps retailers avoid stockouts, overstock, and costly fulfillment decisions during peak season.
49%
Real-time visibility
Leaders need order, inventory, and shipment visibility that supports faster decisions when exceptions occur.
41%
Systems integration
Connected systems help synchronize operations across ecommerce, retail, marketplace, and fulfillment workflows.
Key carrier peak surcharges (2025)
Peak season surcharges vary widely by carrier and service level, making it essential for brands to plan around them. Review the latest adjustments below to protect margins and avoid unexpected costs. Get the full guide here.
UPS Peak Surcharges
| Surcharge Name | Services Affected | Charge Per Package | Effective dates |
| Additional Handling | U.S. domestic, U.S. import and U.S. export shipments | $8.25 to $10.80 | Sept 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 |
| Large Package Surcharge | U.S. domestic, U.S. import and U.S. export shipments | $90.50 to $107 | Sept 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 |
| Over Maximum Limits | U.S. domestic, U.S. import and U.S. export shipments | $485 to $540 | Sept 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 |
| Demand Surcharge | UPS Ground Residential, Air and Ground Saver packages | $0.40 to $2.05 | Oct 26, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 |
| Demand Surcharge* | Certain UPS Ground Residential, Air Residential, Air Commercial and Ground Saver packages for qualifying customers | $0.40 to $8.75 | Oct 26, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 |
FedEx Peak Surcharges
| Surcharge Name | Services Affected | Charge Per Package | Effective dates |
| Additional Handling Surcharge | U.S. Package Services, FedEx International Ground shipments | $8.25 to $10.90 | Sept 29, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026 |
| Oversize Charge | U.S. Package Services, FedEx International Ground shipments | $90 to $108.50 | Sept 29, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026 |
| Ground Unauthorized Package Charge | FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx International Ground shipments | $490 to $545 | Sept 29, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026 |
| Demand Surcharge | FedEx First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2Day, 2Day A.M., Express Saver (excluding One Rate packages) | $1.05 to $2.10 | Oct 27, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026 |
| Demand Surcharge | FedEx Ground residential shipments, FedEx Home Delivery residential shipments | $0.40 to $0.65 | Oct 27, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026 |
| Demand Surcharge | FedEx Ground Economy Package Services | $2.20 to $3.55 | Oct 27, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026 |
| Demand — Residential Delivery Charge* | Ground, Home Delivery, First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2Day, 2Day A.M., Express Saver (excluding One Rate packages) | $1.55 to $8.75 | Oct 27, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026 |
USPS Holiday Fees
| Surcharge Name | Services Affected | Charge Per Package | Effective dates |
| Additional Handling | U.S. domestic, U.S. import and U.S. export shipments | $8.25 to $10.80 | Sept 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 |
| Large Package Surcharge | U.S. domestic, U.S. import and U.S. export shipments | $90.50 to $107 | Sept 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 |
| Over Maximum Limits | U.S. domestic, U.S. import and U.S. export shipments | $485 to $540 | Sept 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 |
| Demand Surcharge | UPS Ground Residential, Air and Ground Saver packages | $0.40 to $2.05 | Oct 26, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 |
| Demand Surcharge* | Certain UPS Ground Residential, Air Residential, Air Commercial and Ground Saver packages for qualifying customers | $0.40 to $8.75 | Oct 26, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026 |
Amazon Shipping
| Demand Surcharge Criteria | Oct 26–Nov 22, 2025 | Nov 23–Dec 27, 2025 | Dec 28, 2025–Jan 17, 2026 |
| Per-Package Demand Surcharge | $0.40 | $0.60 | $0.40 |
| Additional Handling | $8.25 | $10.80 | $8.25 |
| Large Packages | $90 | $107 | $90 |
| Extra Heavy Package Fee | $485 | $540 | $485 |
See what our customers have to say
Top peak challenges to look out for
Peak season magnifies operational weaknesses. But the right planning and partners make all the difference.
Surging order volumes
Peak season demand can outpace internal capacity fast. Without the right fulfillment support, brands struggle to scale orders, maintain accuracy, and protect customer success when it matters most.
Stockouts & inventory
Poor visibility and misaligned forecasting lead to stockouts, backorders, and missed revenue. Strategic inventory planning is critical to keeping shelves full throughout the rush.
Transportation costs
Carrier surcharges and limited capacity make peak season shipping more expensive. Strong carrier relationships and smart routing decisions are essential to keep costs under control.
2026 Peak Season Report
As retailers prepare for peak, many are facing the same challenge: growing operational complexity paired with shrinking margin for error.
Our latest industry report surveyed 328 retail and ecommerce leaders to better understand the gaps brands are racing to fix before the holiday season.
Inside, you’ll learn:
- The top operational risks retailers expect during peak
- Where fulfillment gaps still exist
- How brands are approaching inventory, labor, and carrier strategy
- The technologies and operational changes retailers are prioritizing
Tips, tricks, and guides
From forecasting smarter to managing surcharges and returns, these expert guides break down the strategies retailers need to stay agile and competitive throughout peak season.
