As retailers and logistics teams push through the final stages of their Christmas fulfilment plans, Pallet Trucks UK is reminding the sector that the job is far from over once the last festive order leaves the warehouse. January is the busiest period for returns across UK retail, and the company is calling on warehouses to extend their planning horizon and ensure they are properly equipped for the tidal wave of goods heading back into the supply chain.
Returns handling has become one of the most demanding aspects of modern logistics. While Christmas sales place obvious pressure on fulfilment teams, the period that follows can be even more unpredictable. Floods of unwanted gifts, incorrect sizes, duplicate items and impulse purchases returning to retailers create a heavy and sustained workload well into the new year. For warehouses already stretched by peak-season labour challenges, a lack of preparation for returns can result in bottlenecks, rising costs, and customer dissatisfaction.
Efficient returns handling relies heavily on the speed and reliability of manual handling equipment such as pallet trucks to stackers and lift tables. Unlike outbound fulfilment – where stock moves in relatively predictable, structured flows – returns often arrive in mixed conditions, at inconsistent volumes, and require rapid sorting and reprocessing. This demands equipment that is easy to manoeuvre, durable enough to withstand continuous use, and comfortable for staff working long shifts in colder January conditions.
Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Pallet Trucks UK, said, “Too many businesses pour all their energy into preparing for Christmas dispatch but overlook the equally critical weeks that follow. A warehouse can only move as fast as its equipment allows. If pallet trucks and lift tables are unreliable, slow, or under-maintained, the backlog builds quickly. Reliable handling equipment is the unsung backbone of an efficient returns operation, and investing in it early makes all the difference when volumes spike.”
Robust manual pallet trucks, electric models built for continuous operation, and height-adjustable lift tables all play vital roles in preventing bottlenecks. Smooth-rolling wheels, responsive hydraulics and ergonomic controls reduce strain on staff and minimise errors – the precise qualities needed when processing thousands of unpredictable return items.
With returns now representing a substantial cost centre for UK retailers, Pallet Trucks UK encourages warehouses to avoid viewing Christmas as the finish line and recognise January as a second peak in its own right – one that can be managed smoothly with the right equipment in place before the rush begins.
For more information, please visit: www.pallettrucksuk.co.uk.
