Expanding your eCommerce and retail business into new markets is an exciting opportunity to boost profits, but managing fulfilment for several channels can be a logistical headache. Many sellers choose to use different fulfilment providers for each market to streamline operations, but this approach can backfire – not only can it harm your bottom line and customer satisfaction, but it can make things even more confusing!
The I-Fulfilment team have helped countless businesses streamline their fulfilment processes, from handling individual customer orders to managing large-scale international B2B sales. Below, we’ll explore the challenges of using multiple fulfilment providers and show you why a single, all-in-one solution is the better path forward.
Why Shouldn’t You Use Multiple Fulfilment Providers?
Handling B2B, B2C, and global fulfilment separately can lead to a host of challenges, including:
1. Increased Costs
Using different providers for B2B, B2C, and international fulfilment can significantly increase costs. Here’s how:
- Instead of paying just once, you’ll need to pay multiple setup, maintenance, and transaction fees.
- Each provider will operate its own warehouses, driving up expenses for rent, utilities, staff, and storing products.
- Managing various shipping carriers and routes for different customer types often results in higher shipping costs due to less competitive rates and fewer carrier discounts.
2. Inventory Management Difficulties
Splitting your stock across different fulfilment centres can make it tough to keep track of how much you have and it is much harder to avoid running out of stock or having too much. Each company managing your stock will use its own system, often without sharing information, which can lead to inaccurate counts and fulfilment mistakes. This can end up costing you both financially and in customer trust.
3. Reduced Visibility
Without a single platform to manage orders from different channels, it can be challenging to keep tabs on their status and progress in real time. Pinpointing and fixing fulfilment problems, identifying areas for improvement, and streamlining operations also gets harder, which can lead to unhappy customers and lower profits.
4. Slower Order Fulfilment
Relying on multiple providers for order handling, from picking and packing to shipping, can often cause delays and extend the time it takes to get orders out the door. Juggling different processes between various providers also increases the risk of mistakes, like sending the wrong items or orders with errors. These issues can frustrate customers and damage loyalty.
What Are the Benefits of a Unified Fulfilment Provider?
Consolidating your B2B, B2C, and global fulfilment operations into one place can revolutionise your business. By streamlining processes, cutting costs, and boosting efficiency, you can achieve remarkable results. But choosing the right partner is key.
At I-Fulfilment, we specialise in handling the entire fulfilment journey, from business-to-business and business-to-consumer orders to international shipments. Our unified approach offers numerous advantages:
- By centralising your operations in strategically located warehouses near major transportation hubs, we can deliver your orders faster than ever.
- We offer competitive warehousing costs thanks to efficient space use and bulk deals on shipping materials.
- You gain complete control over your stock, orders, and shipments with real-time insights. Our WMS software BladePRO helps you avoid stockouts and overstocks while keeping tabs on every step in the process.
- Whether you’re booming or dealing with seasonal changes, I-Fulfilment can adapt to meet your needs. Our scalable solutions mean you always have the right amount of space and staff, without the hassle.
- Want to sell globally? I-Fulfilment’s international network makes it easy. Our UK, USA, and European warehouses and shipping connections help you deliver to customers around the world, smoothly and efficiently.
I-Fulfilment: Your Partner for Global B2B and B2C Success
At I-Fulfilment, we provide complete fulfilment solutions for both B2B and B2C businesses worldwide. With experience shipping millions of orders and working with companies of all sizes, we understand what it takes to help you survive – and thrive – in any market.
Get a free quote online or call us on 01425 200 222 today!
