It is early September, summer is over for most of us. In fact, this is the beginning of “our” high season. It is the period when the delivery business has to perform at its maximum. In which orders increase exponentially and food companies, supermarkets, retail and mail delivery are running at full speed. Are you ready with your staff planning yet?
At Bikeshift, we see it every year. From September until well into December, the demand for staff for delivery companies skyrockets. From meal delivery companies to retail companies to mail delivery companies, the market keeps growing. Businesses and consumers are used to fast service (to their homes or offices or businesses). New markets are also discovering the power of delivery. Medicines, job materials and even fresh flowers. Items are brought to the front door by drivers, bicycle couriers or other deliverers. This growth and also diversification of work is good for the economy (and our convenience), but it also creates quite a challenge. Because when everyone needs staff at the same time in a quite competitive labour market, it creates great pressure on staff. Certainly the demand for logistics talent is huge in the autumn.
Companies that have not yet sorted out their autumn staff planning risk being left out in the cold. Because recruiting staff during the high season is twice as difficult. If you are smart, prepare staff planning now. Make arrangements with suppliers, recruit yourself and bind the staff already working for you. Organise your hiring process before you soon have to miss deliveries due to lack of staff.
Our own research shows that on average 25% to 30% of riders exit between September and October. Combine that with an increase in demand for riders of 30% to 50% during the same period and you can understand why many companies struggle every year.
For more and more clients, Bikeshift is the backbone of their flexible strategic staff planning. We make sure you have the right people, on time. Bike couriers, of course, but also drivers for sustainable modes of transport, order pickers in warehouses and other logistics talent.
The stillness out there right now is misleading. Use the next few weeks to prepare. In a few weeks, the storm will start and you will want to be ready. To take advantage of all the opportunities of the peak season. Want to know how Bikeshift can help you? Contact us.
