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Linnworks Releases Insights on Peak Season Preparation

On July 23, 2026, Linnworks, a prominent name in e-commerce inventory and order management solutions, released its latest report titled Inside Peak. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on when top-tier online sellers begin their preparations for the holiday rush, particularly focused on Black Friday and beyond.

According to Diana Nolting, the Chief Product Officer at Linnworks, "Peak is won in the weeks and months before Black Friday, not during it." This statement encapsulates the essence of the report, emphasizing that successful sellers are strategic about their planning. Evidence from the report showcases that these sellers typically finalize their tools and catalogs by October, crucially ahead of the peak sales period.


The Inside Peak report is based on an extensive analysis of over 207 million orders made in 2025, accounting for approximately $11.88 billion (£8.82 billion) in sales. It also evaluates the preparation behaviors documented from 2022 to 2025, offering retailers a benchmark to assess their readiness for the upcoming peak season.

Key Findings from the Report

The analysis unveils several compelling insights into consumer behavior and seller strategies as the holiday season approaches:

1. Demand Surges in Q4
The fourth quarter commands a significant share of annual sales, making up nearly one-third of the year's total orders (30.9% or $3.68 billion/£2.73 billion). Notably, peak order volume occurs during this quarter, particularly around Black Friday, though the average basket size remains steady, indicating that operations rather than sales volume become the critical focus during this period.

2. Timely Tooling Decisions
October stands out as the pivotal month for new integrations and tool enhancements, with activity peaking to nearly 20% above the monthly average. However, this enthusiasm swiftly declines in November, as sellers typically halt changes and rely on their earlier setups.

3. Catalog Expansion Before the Rush
An analysis shows that the largest influx of new product listings occurs in October. Sellers aim to have a diverse array of items available well in advance of the anticipated high-traffic shopping days.

4. Complexity in Channel Management
The average basket size varies significantly across different platforms, with lower values on Temu and higher on Shopify, highlighting the diverse expectations sellers must manage with varying channel strategies.

5. Lead Time Constraints
New tools and integrations require an average of 40 days to become operational, pushing sellers already close to peak season to work against time if they plan to adopt new strategies.


The report additionally includes a self-assessment tool for retailers to evaluate their peak season readiness. This valuable resource allows businesses to gauge their preparation and make necessary adjustments ahead of the critical holiday shopping time.


To download the complete Inside Peak report, interested parties can visit the Linnworks website. For more information on Linnworks, including its diverse product offerings, you can explore Linnworks.com.

About Linnworks

Linnworks is a sophisticated Connected CommerceOps platform serving over 4,000 online retailers. The platform facilitates the connection, automation, and scaling of e-commerce operations from a unified source. Retailers are empowered through seamless integration with over 100 marketplaces, transforming traditionally time-consuming e-commerce processes into streamlined functions.

For media inquiries, Danna Tabachnik is reachable at [email protected] or via phone at (773) 453-2444.