FedEx predicts that it will move a record-breaking 317m shipments globally between Black Friday (November 27) and Christmas Eve (December 24). This forecast marks a 12.4% increase in year-over-year seasonal volume.
The season is expected to be bolstered by three volume spikes, including Cyber Monday (November 30) and the first two Mondays in December, in which the company expects to move more than double its average daily volume. Peak projections are included in FedEx earnings guidance for financial year 2016.
“FedEx expects to see a record number of shipments move through our global network between Black Friday and Christmas Eve,” said Fred Smith, chief executive of FedEx Corp.
“The shift in consumer shopping patterns, fueled by the rise of e-commerce, continues to drive our volume. Our strategic investments, unmatched flexible global network, and more than 325,000 dedicated team members around the world are ready to help the holidays arrive again this year.”
The US National Retail Federation (NRF) expects sales in November and December to grow 3.7% to $630.5bn. The NRF also predicts e-commerce sales will continue to grow at a faster rate than brick-and-mortar sales, rising between 6% and 8%to as much as $105bn.
