Christmas is only around the corner so it's time to start planning for your logistics needs. The holiday season is well known as the busiest time of the year for retailers, many of whom generate more than half of their annual profits around the end of the year. Advance planning is an absolute must.

“In order to meet holiday demand in December, logistics traffic typically starts increasing by late summer. This is when the holiday season begins for maritime shipping. For contract logistics, it begins in early fall. And for road and air transport it is in late autumn,” says Joanna Lewis, Business Development Manager at AsstrA UK Ltd.

In the build-up to end-of-the-year holidays like Christmas and Boxing Day, most retail businesses will see a massive increase in customer demand as shoppers buy presents or stock up on essentials before stores close for the period.

This year, the holiday season will be more intense than ever. Many UK businesses formerly relying on EU workers have been struggling since last January when new immigration rules went into effect. This winter, the logistics workforce will not be sufficient to secure supply chains when they are needed the most. In particular, there are shortages of warehouse workers and HGV truck drivers.

“The causes of supply chain disruptions in the UK are complex. Labor shortages, Brexit trade barriers, global supply problems, and panic buying have all contributed. That is why this year’s run-up to the Christmas season in United Kingdom has begun exceptionally early with an emphasis on advance planning and thoughtful solutions  delivered with carefully vetted suppliers,” adds Anna Smirnova, Head of AsstrA IPL UK.

“Many UK firms import raw materials and intermediate products for their manufacturing processes before exporting components and finished products abroad.  Now is the last call to plan your shipments to ensure that they run smoothly during your peak sales period. AsstrA UK is based in London and offers clients and partners a wide range of logistics services that can help make this Christmas season a profitable one. We provide sea, air and road transport solutions for all kinds of products coming from Europe to the United Kingdom. We have wide geographical coverage via a network of offices in over 20 countries and can transport cargo to and from every corner of the world. We can also help with UK customs clearance and deliver to any location in the country,” concludes Joanna Lewis.