Influx Releases 2026 Guide for Pre-Holiday Planning

Influx, an on-demand service partner, has released its 2026 Guide to Pre-Holiday Planning, aimed at helping brands prepare for the upcoming Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and December holiday period. The guide outlines key steps for customer support operations, including when to begin preparations, staffing considerations, and the importance of testing support systems.

According to the guide, two in five Americans start researching purchases before Black Friday, indicating the need for brands to begin their holiday planning early. Influx notes that hiring takes an average of 44 days in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of starting the hiring process well in advance.

The guide also highlights the benefits of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into customer service operations. Influx reports that 66% of contact centers that implemented AI took more than six months to see a return on investment (ROI), underscoring the long-term commitment required.

Influx provides examples of successful implementations, including Meshki, a business that grew by 589% in three months while its Influx-supported operation achieved a customer satisfaction score (CSAT) of 95%. Another example is Linktree, which saw a 93% CSAT for tier-2 ticket escalations with support agents across four regions.

The guide covers a range of topics, such as when to begin preparing for seasonal support demand, staffing and agent preparation ahead of peak periods, testing support systems, scenarios, and workflows. It also addresses AI-supported customer service and omnichannel operations, as well as planning for returns and post-holiday demand.

Influx, founded in 2013, has been the leading on-demand service partner for growing brands, delivering fully managed customer support. As the pioneers of 24/7 follow-the-sun support, Influx has powered over 750+ businesses, from startup to scale, making it the trusted CX partner for improving customer value.