As retailers, we're heading into our busiest and most profitable time of the year. As deliveries grow, managing delivery expectations is crucial to customer satisfaction and repeat business. Let me share some practical advice on handling your Christmas shipping schedule.
Choose the Right Service Level
Considering what happened last year, Express Post is your best mate for last-minute orders. It offers next-business-day delivery to 80% of Australian addresses. While it costs more than standard delivery, the tracking capabilities and faster delivery times make it worth every cent during the Christmas rush. Plus, you get verification from Australia Post that it was delivered.
Setting Your Store's Cut-off Dates
Remember, the dates below are guidelines, not guarantees. The earlier you send your parcels, the better their chance of arriving before Christmas. Consider offering Express Post as a premium option for last-minute shoppers who need guaranteed faster delivery.
Australia Post Christmas lodgement dates are here. One point is that these dates apply to items delivered by 2:30 pm at an Australia Post outlet.
Delivery issues now
Australia is currently experiencing a shortage of postal and delivery drivers of about 14% as we approach Christmas. It's important to be cautious about pushing current shipping deadlines, as many shoppers do switch to retailers that offer faster delivery. Plus, if you do miss these deadlines, it will lead to significant customer dissatisfaction.
Domestic Deliveries
I recommend setting your store's order cut-off dates at least 2-3 days before Australia Post's deadlines:
- Regular parcels: Set your cut-off to 17 December
- Express orders: Final orders by 20 December
International Shipments
New Zealand: 13 December 2025
United States: 16 December 2025. Note: As of now, Australia Post can no longer use couriers to the USA.
Canada: 13 December 2025
United Kingdom: 13 December 2025
Practical Tips for Smooth Operations
-Packaging and Processing Tips Address Verification Essentials Proper addressing might seem basic, but it's crucial for timely deliveries. Include:
Unit/apartment numbers
Complete street address
Suburb and postcode
Trust me, no one will complain if you put too much detail.
Order Processing
- Dedicate specific times each day to packing orders
- Print shipping labels in batches
- Use your POS to generate packing slips automatically
Communication Strategies
Clear Messaging Display shipping cut-off dates:
- On your website homepage
- At checkout
- To confirm emails
- In-store signage
Customer Updates Use your POS system to:
- Send shipping notifications to your customer when you send it, and include the expected delivery date
- Include tracking information
- Alert customers about potential delays
- Bookmark the Australia Post Page for reference.
Preparing Your Team
- Understand and communicate delivery timeframes
- Handle shipping enquiries confidently
- Process orders efficiently using your POS system
Looking After Regional Customers
If you're serving customers in WA, NT, or regional areas:
- Add extra processing days
- Consider express shipping options
- Be upfront about extended delivery times
Last-Minute Solutions
For those inevitable last-minute shoppers:
- Offer click-and-collect until 24 December
- Provide gift cards as a backup option
- Consider local courier services for nearby customers, or deliver it yourself.
Remember, while Australia Post has announced its cut-off dates, we retailers must work backwards from them.
Planning and using your POS system effectively can turn the Christmas rush into an opportunity.
