Black Friday starts the discount season. Cargus estimates a 40% increase in the delivered volumes compared to a typical period

• To cover the peak season, Cargus supplemented the team with more than 500 couriers and sorters, and increased the number of trucks in the fleet by 40.
• Compared to last year, Cargus estimates a 10% increase in volumes.
• Clothing and footwear, cosmetics, home appliances and electronics will be among the top choices for Black Friday shoppers.

Black Friday is an important event for the entire e-Commerce industry and consumers, marking the beginning of the peak season for courier players. This year, several online stores have extended their discount period, which will also lead to an increase in the volume of deliveries throughout November.

Thus, Cargus estimates an increase in the number of shipments by 40% compared to a regular period and by 10% compared to last year’s edition. The largest share of deliveries in this period is represented by the local e-Commerce segment, but the company also expects significant increases in terms of cross-border, inbound and outbound deliveries.

Preparations for the peak of the season started already a few months ago. Most of the investments covered the logistics and operational area. Cargus added over 500 people to the number of couriers and sorters, 40 to the number of trucks, and secured the purchase of logistics equipment for warehouse staff, which will ensure a continuous flow of sorting and increased operational performance. The company has also renovated and relocated six of its logistics warehouses to larger premises to cope with the increased flow of deliveries. 

“Black Friday is a special event for customers and consumers, and our estimations show that we will have an intense period, with significant volumes and above the performances recorded in 2022, throughout November. Also, Black Friday is just the beginning of the peak courier season, which will end around the holidays and which will also positively influence this year’s cumulative results. We are ready to deal with the large number of orders and offer shoppers a very good delivery experience, both through our couriers and through the Cargus SHIP & GO network of fixed points and lockers,” states Oana Mandicescu, Cargus Chief Sales Officer.

The courier company estimates that fashion items (clothing and footwear), cosmetics, home products, electronics and appliances will be at the top of Black Friday shoppers’ preferences. Significant increases will also be seen in a few specific categories that are present every year on Black Friday, such as toys and car accessories/tires.

In order to streamline and expand delivery options, Cargus will also make extensive use of the delivery infrastructure of the SHIP & GO points, as well as the Cargus locker network, in total approximately 3,000 locations throughout the country. At the same time, Cargus adjusted the warehouses schedule to cope with the higher volume of orders.

The investments in the operational network will help the company to provide merchants and consumers with a very good delivery experience and support the growth of volumes during this peak period (November-December).