In this guest post, Clara Philpin, Head of Strategic Development at Asendia UK discusses key actions for retailers for optimising cross-border Easter parcel shipping:
As Easter approaches, retailers and marketplaces sellers must prepare for a surge in seasonal online shopping, particularly in homewares, DIY, confectionery, and gifting products. With Easter falling later in 2025 – towards the end of April – better weather could drive demand in outdoor dining essentials, BBQ equipment, and garden products.
Cross-border sales also see a notable uptick during this period, particularly in key markets like Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, the US, and Canada. In 2023, Easter spending in the US was estimated to top $24 billion, according to the National Retail Federation, an important seasonal spike. Meanwhile, online sales over the Easter holiday in Germany reached €22 billion in 2024, as reported by Statista. Targeting high-spending markets like these presents a valuable opportunity for sellers keen to grow international e-commerce revenues.
Beyond traditional Easter-themed products, seasonal demand extends to clothing, footwear, luggage, and health and beauty items as spring travel peaks during school holidays. It’s the ideal time of year to invest in social media promotions, to launch Spring/Summer ranges, and attract new customers with exclusive discounts and deals.
To capitalise on this seasonal boom, businesses must ensure seamless cross-border logistics. Efficient parcel shipping, customs planning, securing air freight capacity, and managing delivery expectations are all critical for success. A failure in any of these area risks disappointing customers and missing out on a lucrative sales period.
To navigate Easter shipping challenges effectively, e-commerce brands should consider the following key actions:
- Understand carrier deadlines: Research the latest cut-off dates for domestic and international shipping to ensure timely deliveries. At Asendia, we use network performance data from previous peak seasons to anticipate potential bottlenecks and implement contingency measures where needed.
- Plan for customs clearance: If shipping cross-border, avoid delays by ensuring accurate product descriptions, the correct tariff codes, and required documentation. Changes to tariffs are causing a high level of uncertainty in 2025. The likelihood is that delays will occur at some borders, so look ahead to ensure a Happy Easter can be delivered.
- Stock and warehouse efficiency: Maintain adequate inventory levels, particularly for high-demand seasonal and heavily-promoted products, and optimise fulfilment processes to handle increased order volumes efficiently.
- Secure reliable logistics partners: Work with trusted shipping providers that offer flexible solutions to accommodate higher parcel volumes. Overseas demand can be harder to forecast than domestic demand, so partnering with experienced 3PLs with the means of expanding capacity at the last minute, will help you overcome the hurdles of international shipping.
- Offer a range of shipping options: Cater to last-minute shoppers by providing expedited shipping. International express shipping typically takes 2 to 7 business days, depending on the courier and destination.
- Communicate delivery times clearly: Set accurate expectations on shipping times and any potential delays via your checkout pages, and customer service channels.
- Prepare for returns: Streamline return policies and offer hassle-free solutions to maintain customer satisfaction. Purchase decisions often depend on the generosity or otherwise of the return policy, particularly for cross-border e-commerce, so if you’re planning a big Easter campaign, why not consider offering free or discounted returns to attract customers?
- Leverage tracking and customer notifications: Ensure real-time tracking and proactive updates on parcel status to enhance customer confidence. Asendia Connect is a web-based platform that allows retailers and sellers to monitor their e-commerce cross-border orders and parcel shipment data, with a centralised view of data, as opposed to receiving email alerts for potential delivery exceptions. It is configured to integrate with a host of online marketplaces such as Shopify, eBay, and Etsy, and can also integrate seamlessly with order management software such as Mintsoft and ESW. Manifest information for customs clearance can also be managed via the one-stop-shop platform. Having this oversight allows sellers to inform customers of delays before worries set in, reducing Wismo (where is my order) queries, and re-assuring shoppers.
Allow your springtime sales to blossom
E-commerce success during Easter hinges on careful planning and proactive shipping strategies. By understanding market trends, anticipating customs and logistics challenges, and setting realistic customer expectations, retailers can optimise operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
Additionally, working closely with your shipping partners can be invaluable. Their expertise in handling seasonal fluctuations, navigating regulatory requirements, and offering cost-effective solutions can ensure a seamless experience for businesses and customers alike. By leveraging these insights, your brand can maximise Easter sales and establish a strong foundation for future growth.
