During Black Friday 2022, both GFS and GBG Loqate observed campaigns starting earlier than usual. GBG Loqate, which supports address capture for over 15,000 customers globally, saw some brands gain a lift in transactions after launch, but total sales volumes were still lower than in 2021. GFS data from over 400 retailers showed weekday parcel volumes rising 10% and weekend volumes increasing 20% compared to the previous week, with fashion retail leading the growth.

Later Peak Periods and Shopper Behaviour

A major shift noted was that many shoppers were likely to delay purchases until the final week before Christmas. This compressed peak period puts extra pressure on inventory management and delivery capacity, as there is less time to fulfil orders and manage unexpected surges. The short fulfilment window could result in higher operational risk.

Disruptions and Cost Pressures

Royal Mail strikes during Black Friday and Cyber Monday were highlighted as a key challenge, with delays expected even after operations resumed due to backlog clearance. This was also the first time the FIFA World Cup overlapped with the retail peak season, creating potential dips in online sales during matches. Delivery costs rose sharply, with road transport fuel surcharges averaging 38–39% in 2022 compared to 19% in 2021. In response, large retailers like Zara and Next began revising free delivery and returns policies to manage costs more effectively.

Strategic Recommendations for Retailers

Retailers were advised to diversify carrier networks to reduce reliance on one delivery provider, update delivery and returns policies to protect margins and ensure customer data is accurate for better engagement. With ongoing volatility in eCommerce and supply chains, the panel stressed that contingency planning in operations is essential to navigating future peak periods successfully.

In the lead-up to Black Friday 2022, campaigns began earlier than in previous years. Data from GBG Loqate and GFS shows that while some retailers saw spikes in transactions after launching sales, volumes were often below last year’s levels. One major sports fashion brand doubled its normal daily transactions after starting a sale, but this was still 50 percent down compared to the same launch day in 2021. GFS data from over 400 retailers indicated weekday parcel volumes were up 10 percent week-on-week and weekend volumes rose 20 percent, with fashion driving the strongest growth.

Late Peak Predictions and Delivery Challenges

Both data and conversations with retailers suggest the seasonal peak may arrive later than usual, possibly in the final week before Christmas. While this could create a concentrated rush of sales, it also brings risk for delivery capacity and on-time fulfilment. Royal Mail strikes during key dates like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are expected to cause delays and backlogs, affecting retailers reliant on this carrier. The FIFA World Cup, taking place unusually at this time of year, could also temporarily dampen online sales on match days.

Rising Delivery Costs and Operational Pressure

Retailers face higher operational costs, with average fuel surcharges for road transport this year at 38% to 39% compared to 19% last year. Some large brands, such as Zara and Next, have adjusted free delivery and returns policies to manage costs and others may follow.

Retailer Strategies for Resilience

Experts advise building contingency into delivery operations, using multiple carriers to spread risk and reviewing free delivery and returns policies. Maintaining accurate customer data and optimising checkout experiences can help secure conversions. As uncertainty remains, retailers are bracing for a volatile end to the year while focusing on long-term operational flexibility.

Accessing GFS Settings in Visualsoft

First log into the Visualsoft admin system. From the dashboard expand the Orders section in the left-hand menu and select GFS Manage Settings. Here you will see the connection details to the GFS API which should already be configured by GFS product support during installation.

Managing Carriers and Services

Select Manage Carriers to activate the delivery providers available to you. For example, tick the box under the Active column to enable DPD. Next click the Services button to view all DPD services supported by GFS. Deactivate all options then re-enable only the services you plan to use. This keeps your label printing menu organised. For example, select only Next Day and Two Day services.

Adding Contract Numbers

For each activated service click the Action button and enter the correct contract number. These can be found in the GFS Selector software or provided by GFS product support.

Setting Up the Label Printer

Go to Manage Printers under the GFS menu. Add your label printer by entering the PC name and printer name. Untick Merge Docs tick Default and click Add Printer. Save your changes.

Printing an Order Label

Open View Orders find the order you want to despatch and scroll to the GFS section. Select your carrier and service then click Create Shipment. Your label will print automatically and your order is ready to ship.

Integrating GFS with Visualsoft ensures efficient eCommerce fulfilment and helps you deliver a smooth customer experience from checkout to delivery.