When you’re managing a new product launch or a seasonal display rollout, it’s easy to focus on what could go wrong. What if items get damaged during transit? Or lost? Or arrive late and miss the delivery window?

These are valid concerns.

Choosing a reliable transportation partner is critical to your success.

Read on for tips to develop a product launch transportation and distribution strategy that will let you rest easy.

1. Start planning early!

Rushing through the planning for your product launch distribution will lead to headaches down the road. Be sure to plan ahead and give advance notice both within your organization and to a reliable transportation partner to ensure a successful rollout. This is particularly true for seasonal merchandise, which must capture sales in a relatively short period of time.

Depending on the complexity of your distribution, it is a good rule of thumb to kick off your planning sessions 90 days prior to shipping. This gives you and your team time to understand delivery window requirements – including associated penalties or chargebacks for late arrivals – and to create a custom distribution plan for your product launch.

2. Know your shipment details.

Your transportation partner will need to know the timeframe and scope of the project. For example, is your distribution limited to a tri-state region or is it nationwide or even cross-border? Is it a time-critical program where all deliveries must be made on the same day at all delivery locations, or can they be delivered within a date window?

You will also need details for each shipment, including pallet weight, dimensions, packaging details and any special requirements, such as inside delivery, liftgate, appointment or guaranteed delivery.

3. Define your distribution strategy, including a load plan.

Once you’ve gathered all the shipment details, it’s time to create a distribution strategy. That includes arranging reliable transportation for your products to the retailer’s distribution centers or individual stores.   

Less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers are well-suited for most product launches and rollouts, with fast transit times, competitive pricing and sufficient capacity. Their hub-and-spoke networks also help bypass bottlenecks and provide flexibility if re-routing freight is necessary during adverse weather.

When you choose an experienced LTL partner carrier, like XPO, they will take the shipment details you have provided and create a custom program, including a load plan, to optimize the transit and delivery of your products.

Think of a load plan as the blueprint for the project. It determines how shipments are loaded into trailers, optimizes routes for the most efficient deliveries and serves as an instruction manual for operations and support teams. This is a critical component to the success of your distribution.

4. Choose a partner that is an extension of your team.

Your LTL carrier should have a reputation for on-time, damage-free delivery as well as excellent customer service, and they need a balanced network that serves all the areas to which you are shipping. You will also want to consider the specialized service options they offer, such as inside delivery, appointment scheduling and destination notify.

In addition, you will want to work with a carrier that understands how important rollouts and product launches are to your brand and to your marketing and sales initiatives. Review this checklist of services that an expert LTL carrier should provide:

Experienced Support Team

Look for a dedicated, single point of contact at the carrier who will monitor the product launch, from pickup to delivery. They will also coordinate the entire rollout program with their local operations team and swiftly resolve any issues that occur.

Efficient Execution

Your partner carrier should create customized load plans based on your specifications with a focus on reduced handling and exception-free performance. They will assist with creating the bills of ladings (BOL) for the shipments and provide a simple, consolidated billing on a single invoice.

Commitment

Ensure that you have a carrier that is committed to your success. Their focus on quality and on-time service performance is critical to your product launch and your results.

About XPO

At XPO, we understand how important product launches and rollouts are to your brand and bottom line. With our Retail Rollout service, we design customized transportation programs based on your specifications, with priority service and dedicated support from start to finish.

Fill out the form to connect with our team and begin creating a custom product launch transportation and distribution plan today.