FedEx is predicting a record 317 million shipments between Black Friday and Christmas Eve this year, a 12.4% increase in volume compared to 2014.
The season, which includes one more day than last year, is expected to be bolstered by three volume spikes, including Cyber Monday and the first two Mondays in December. On those days, FedEx expects to handle more than double its average daily volume.
“FedEx expects to see a record number of shipments move through our global network between Black Friday and Christmas Eve,” said Frederick W. Smith, CEO of FedEx Corp. “The shift in consumer shopping patterns, fueled by the rise of ecommerce, continues to drive our volume.”
The National Retail Federation expects sales in November and December to grow 3.7% to $630.5 billion. The NRF also predicts ecommerce sales will continue to grow at a faster rate than brick-and-mortar sales, rising between 6% and 8% to as much as $105 billion.