The Truth About Spooky Season Logistics

This time of year all you hear is “peak season” this and “peak season” that. Everyone is looking ahead and preparing for the holiday season, and Halloween tends to get skipped over. But manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who are involved with Halloween costumes, candy, and decorations know that it’s called spooky season for a reason. The demand for Halloween goods is intense and brief, leading to a BOO-ming supply chain. 

Candy, Costumes, and Decorations… Oh My!

With about 90% of Americans celebrating Halloween in some way, there's large market for Halloween goods. Leading up to Halloween, consumers buy a wide variety of candies to give to trick-or-treaters or eat themselves. Those working in the industry must be ready to handle the sudden uptick of candy demand. There are only about six weeks to ensure that candy is made and delivered correctly, so manufacturers are often trying to plan out their supply chain 18-24 months in advance. Poor planning could lead to an over or undersupply of candy for those looking for treats instead of tricks. 

While candy is sold year round, costumes and Halloween decor see an intense increase in purchasing during this brief time frame. Retailers (think Party City) need to plan throughout the year to make the most of spooky season. Although these retailers are often open year round, Halloween tends to be their busiest and most lucrative time of year. 

Although planning is vital, it can be tough to predict what costumes will be trendy when Halloween comes around. There will always be classics like zombies, clowns, vampires, and so on. But you never know what TV show or viral video will create the newest costume trend, so it’s important for manufacturers and retailers to stay on their toes. 

What happens on November 1st?

The window for Halloween is over just as quickly as it begins. Everyone moves on to turkeys and candy canes, which is a sign that the craziest part of the year for the supply chain has arrived. On November 1st, logistics peak season goes into full effect. This means restocking warehouses, ramping up staffing, and preparing for increased order volumes. November 1st is the launch into logistics “SuperBowl” season, where a well thought out strategy can be the difference between success and failure.

Early planning helps to create a strong and versatile supply chain. Whether you’re planning for a MONSTER-ous Halloween, or for the upcoming peak season, a market analysis and adequate preparations are the way to go. Need help with seasonal booms in your supply chain? Contact us today to talk about how Brandfox can help you plan ahead.