Peak Prepared 2025: Global Voices Shaping Logistics Excellence
Spotlight China
As global logistics gears up for Peak Season 2025, insights from our regional experts reveal the nuanced challenges and strategic strengths across different markets. This spotlight brings forward voices from China, offering a clear-eyed view of what it takes us to scale, adapt, and deliver during one of the most demanding times of the year.
Planning for Scale: China's Unique Peak Season
While the traditional Western-style peak season may be less pronounced in China, the local logistics landscape remains high-intensity. A key example is Double 11 (Singles’ Day on 11 November) — China’s version of Black Friday. In previous years, our daily order volumes surged by more than 2,100 % in a single day. Managing these massive spikes requires early planning, strong processes, and deep operational coordination. Consumers’ expectations are tightly linked to the local e-commerce platform requirements. That's why the capability to flexibly adapt remains a key strength that enables Arvato to stay aligned with evolving platform-driven demands across the APAC region.
All consumer expectations depend on the requirements of the e-commerce platform. We have the flexibility to adapt our order processing flow based on the platform's specific needs.
Vicky Zhou Key Account Manager at Arvato
Forecasting & Automation: Building resilient operations
Forecasting in APAC is still largely based on manual estimates, combining client-side sales forecasts with our internal historical data. While AI isn’t fully embedded yet, the expertise of our local teams allows us to identify patterns early on, simulate volumes, and perform stress tests.
At the same time, automation is becoming a cornerstone of Arvato’s regional strategy. In response to labor shortages, cost pressures, and outbound accuracy demands, sites are increasingly implementing robotics and smart automation. This not only supports higher volume throughput, but also frees up teams to focus on quality control and process optimization.
From Last-Mile to Full Visibility: Managing Peak at Every Stage
Last-mile delivery is managed through strategic planning and real-time coordination. Our teams apply data-driven techniques for hub placement, route optimization, and demand forecasting, while also proactively communicating with clients to prevent delivery failures. The goal: reduce friction, improve delivery success, and enhance end customer experience.
Operational transparency is achieved through a digital dashboard that tracks real-time progress at each workstation. In parallel, a dedicated peak management team monitors performance, solves bottlenecks, and keeps all departments aligned — especially critical during high-volume periods.
We conduct regular reviews and adjust in real time — everything from staffing to flow design. Being prepared is not a one-time act, it’s continuous coordination.
Li Zhang General Manager at Arvato
Culture, Trust & What Drives Success
As intense as peak season can be, team culture in our China operations is a core strength. The focus isn’t only on process — it’s on our people. We focus on creating an environment of psychological safety, shared goals, and mutual trust to help our teams perform at their best — even under peak pressure.
Peak planning starts weeks in advance with new SOPs, 24/7 logistics support, layout adjustments, and intensive training kicking off two weeks before peak volume hits. This culture of readiness, transparency, and mutual accountability turns challenges into synergy.
When asked our experts in China to summarize their approach to Peak 2025, the team puts it simply: “For us, peak success is all about people. It’s the strength of our teams, their coordination, and their ability to stay flexible that truly makes the difference.”
