The number of Christmas parcels handled in early November has been steadily increasing for several years, showing that Estonian shoppers are moving their holiday purchases forward. Whereas the Christmas delivery rush once began around mid-November, Venipak now sees parcel volumes climbing already from November 1 — a shift of roughly two weeks earlier. If the trend continues, the first wave of Christmas shopping may begin already in late October.
“Every year, Estonian consumers begin ordering Christmas gifts earlier,” said Andrius Ladauskas, CEO of Venipak. “The line between autumn sales and the Christmas season is becoming increasingly blurred.”
Global shopping days add fuel to the rush. “Black Friday and Cyber Monday remain the biggest e-commerce drivers in Estonia, with parcel traffic peaking at the end of November,” A. Ladauskas explained. “Internationally, Singles’ Day on November 11 is a massive event, and while Estonians haven’t embraced it yet, we expect it may gain popularity here as well.”
To handle the pressure, Venipak adjusts its operations. Normally, customers have three days to collect parcels from lockers, but during high-demand weekends such as Black Friday, the period is shortened to two days to ensure faster turnover.
Venipak also strengthens its logistics network during the festive season. “We hire additional couriers, provide seasonal training, and rely on technology to minimize delivery risks,” A. Ladauskas said. “Our goal is simple: to make sure every gift reaches its recipient safely and on time.”
The company advises both shoppers and online retailers to prepare earlier than before. “Consumers who want a stress-free December should place orders well before the end of November,” A. Ladauskas added. “For e-commerce businesses, it means launching campaigns earlier to meet shifting customer expectations.”