Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Logistics Firms Prepare for a More Complex Festive Season
Logistics companies help move packages from sellers to customers.
They expect this festive season to be busier and harder to manage.
More people are ordering online, including from smaller cities.
Customers also want quick deliveries, live tracking and easy returns.
Companies are adding storage space, workers and backup delivery routes.
They are using AI to choose routes, fix addresses and respond to delays.
Some companies are preparing for food and other products that must stay cold.
DTDC Express is even using waterways in parts of Kerala for deliveries.
These changes are meant to make deliveries more flexible and reliable when demand suddenly rises.
Logistics companies are expanding infrastructure, hiring workers and using AI to manage festive-season demand.
Shipments are increasingly smaller, faster and spread across Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
DTDC Express expects festive cargo volumes to reach about 30% above monthly averages.
ColdStar Logistics is expanding capacity across more than 45 distribution centres and plans 15% more gig-worker hiring.
Shipsy says AI agents now handle nearly 94% of routine operational decisions across its networks.
- Who
- Logistics companies including DTDC Express, Delhivery, ColdStar Logistics, Blue Dart, Hexalog and Shipsy.
- What
- Firms are preparing for a more complex festive season by expanding capacity, hiring workers and using AI-driven operations.
- When
- During this year's festive season; companies are preparing throughout the year, with cargo peaks typically occurring during key festive periods.
- Where
- Across Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, distribution networks, cross-border routes and specific locations such as Kerala.
- Why
- Rising e-commerce, quick commerce, direct-to-consumer shipments, festive gifting and cross-border trade are increasing demand and operational complexity.
- DTDC festive volumes
- Festive cargo movement is expected to reach about 30% above the monthly average during key periods.
- DTDC Vallam Express
- The Kerala waterway service is expected to facilitate more than 5,000 deliveries over the coming year.
- ColdStar network
- ColdStar Logistics is expanding storage and throughput across more than 45 distribution centres.
- ColdStar hiring
- The company expects to hire 15% more gig workers than last year in high-demand corridors.
- Blue Dart hiring
- Blue Dart expects a double-digit percentage increase in festive hiring compared with last year.
- Shipsy AI use
- Shipsy says AI agents handle nearly 94% of routine operational decisions across its networks.
- Key products
- Logistics firms are preparing for temperature-sensitive goods including dairy, chocolates and ready-to-eat foods.