How restaurants, caterers and grocery stores can prepare for the Christmas rush
The weeks leading up to Christmas are among the busiest of the year for many food businesses. Corporate events, family gatherings and holiday celebrations all contribute to increased demand for fresh produce.
For restaurants, caterers and grocery stores, that means planning ahead is important. While most traditional Christmas produce is generally available in good supply, demand can build quickly as the holidays approach. A little preparation can help you avoid last-minute shortages, rushed orders and unnecessary stress.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your wholesale produce orders this holiday season.
Expect demand to build as Christmas approaches
Holiday demand doesn’t necessarily arrive all at once. It tends to increase in the weeks leading up to Christmas as more corporate parties, family gatherings and seasonal events take place. That steady increase can make it easy to underestimate how much produce you’ll need, particularly if you’re used to ordering based on your regular weekly volume.
Think about the events and busy periods ahead, review your recent sales and ordering patterns, and consider whether your usual quantities will be enough to cover the holiday rush.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on demand after Christmas. New Year’s celebrations can bring another round of parties and gatherings, so don’t assume things will immediately return to normal once December 25 has passed.
Know which produce items are in demand
Many of the produce items associated with traditional Christmas meals are popular this time of year. These include:
- Root vegetables: carrots, parsnips and turnips
- Potatoes: a staple for holiday meals and gatherings
- Cranberries: popular for sauces and seasonal dishes
- Citrus: clementines and mandarins
- French beans: a popular choice for holiday sides
- Sweet potatoes and yams: frequently used in seasonal menus
If these items are important to your holiday menu or merchandising plans, factor them into your orders early. Knowing which products are likely to be in demand makes it easier to anticipate your needs and communicate them to your supplier.
Place holiday orders as early as possible
The good news is that most traditional Christmas produce items are usually available in good supply. For many products, a few days’ notice should be sufficient. However, the further ahead you can place your orders, the better. Early ordering gives your supplier more time to plan, source the products you need and prepare for increased demand.
This is particularly important if you’re ordering larger quantities than usual or need specific products for holiday menus, catering events or promotions. Leaving everything until the last minute can make it harder to accommodate changes or unexpected demand.
Pay special attention to French beans
While most Christmas staples are generally well supplied, some products can become harder to source as demand increases. French beans are a good example. They’re a popular holiday item and can become scarce during this period. If they’re an important part of your menu or product offering, preordering is recommended.
Rather than assuming they’ll be available whenever you need them, include French beans in your holiday purchasing plan and let your supplier know your expected quantities as early as possible.
Don’t underestimate last-minute demand
One of the most common holiday ordering mistakes is underestimating the final push in demand.
A busy few days can quickly use up stock that seemed like enough when the original order was placed. If you’re not accounting for last-minute parties, additional bookings or unexpected customer demand, you may find yourself scrambling to get more product.
Review your inventory regularly as Christmas approaches. Consider what’s already on hand, what’s coming in and what you may need to cover the remaining holiday period. It’s better to identify a potential shortfall early than to discover it when you need to place an urgent order.
Keep your produce supplier in the loop
Your wholesale produce supplier can do a better job of anticipating your needs when they know what’s coming.
Share your holiday plans, communicate expected increases in volume and preorder as much as possible, as early as possible. This is especially important for popular items that may become harder to source.
Even if you don’t have every quantity finalized, giving your supplier an early indication of what you’ll need can help with planning. If your requirements change, communicate those changes as soon as you can.
Plan ahead for a smoother holiday season
The Christmas rush brings opportunities for restaurants, caterers and grocery stores, but it also puts added pressure on ordering and inventory management.
Knowing which products are likely to be in demand, anticipating the last-minute increase in orders and communicating with your supplier can help you stay prepared. Most holiday staples are generally available, but popular items such as French beans are worth preordering to reduce the risk of shortages.