Find the Best Omni-Channel Fulfillment Services Companies

It is no secret that retailing has changed in the age of the internet. Customers are no longer content to go into a store and just buy what is on the shelf. Today, a consumer now checks prices and shipping options through websites and smartphone apps. They may want to buy an item online and pick it up in the store. Next, they may choose to exchange the item through a website. That sounds like a stock management headache, but working with omni-channel fulfillment makes accommodating customers easier and more efficient.

In the past, retailers commonly shipped from two warehouses. One was strictly for e-commerce and the other was only for retail stores. Traditionally on the east or west coast, customers in Middle America had a longer time to wait for their goods. As e-commerce grew, retailers had to find new fulfillment methods. Businesses such as Toys ‘R’ Us, offered ship-from-store options to meet the demand.

If you’re a retailer struggling to keep up with fast-changing consumer shopping preferences, moving products across stores, warehouses, and delivery hubs can feel like a never-ending puzzle.

This page will give you everything you need to know to improve your store’s user experience, manage your inventory better, and improve your sales.

The Rise of Online Shopping

With the rise of smartphones, retailing grew even more complex. According to Internet Retailer, 91% of consumers research and buy products on a laptop or desktop. But, 56% research and 41% purchase on smartphones. This is because social media like Facebook and Snapchat are now in the retailing mix. Some consumers do not even visit the company’s website before they buy. The focus of omni-channel fulfillment is on the consumer and the product, but there are endless ways for them to get together.

Omni-channel fulfillment is simpler than it looks. A consumer makes a purchase from a concession, mobile app, website, catalogue, franchise or store. The retailer continues with the process and handles ordering, stock management, fulfillment and sales. The center of this method is always the stock pool. It includes stock from all sources, such as stores, kiosks and warehouses. To view an infographic on this, see RetailAssist.

Consumers make purchases in any way they want but the retailer maintains full control over the stock, even if it is in many places. Omni-channel fulfillment ensures efficient and accurate delivery of the correct product.  Suppliers see the stock as a whole, not fragmented through different channels.

What Is Omnichannel Fulfillment?

Omnichannel fulfillment involves creating a centralized strategy that helps your business streamline and execute the order fulfillment function seamlessly across multiple channels. The procedure applies to receiving, warehousing, processing, picking, packaging, and shipping customer orders.

Omnichannel fulfillment is a sales strategy that lets customers shop seamlessly across multiple channels–store, website, or mobile app. No matter where your customers start shopping, an omnichannel strategy gives them a consistent experience where they can choose where and how they want to complete their purchase.

It lets you meet customers on their terms by combining order processing, inventory visibility, and product delivery into a single process.

The strategy allows a logistics provider to remain agile, optimizing the fulfillment workflows and efficiently handling or dispatching orders from several selling channels in a single place.

Adopting an omnichannel fulfillment strategy enables automation, simplification, and speeding up order fulfillment activities. It increases customer satisfaction, agility, and speed for better bottom lines in the competitive business world.

Centralizing inventory management is the core purpose of omnichannel fulfillment. Integrating an inventory tracking system lets you redistribute and reallocate available merchandise to many channels.

Customers find it easy to find, order, and receive their items through a channel they prefer. You don’t have to worry about setting up individual order fulfillment infrastructures for each sales channel.

What Is the Difference Between Omnichannel Fulfillment and Multi-Channel Fulfillment?

Many assume omnichannel and multichannel fulfillment is the same because the terms come up interchangeably. However, there are distinct differences in how the processes conceptualize the customer’s experience.

Unlike omnichannel, multi-channel fulfillment means each selling channel maintains its inventory, ordering workflow, and delivery processes. These channels are digital, physical, or a combination of both. For example, a business will sell products on a website and a physical location through different marketplaces or platforms.

From the multi-channel fulfillment definition above, it’s clear that the omnichannel strategy relies on the former’s foundation. However, critical differences are present in a customer’s experience, goals, and execution.

Omnichannel is Customer-Focused and Multi-Channel Is Product-Focused

Omnichannel fulfillment relies on identifying all touchpoints between the customer and the brand. Next, the strategy seeks ways to capitalize on each moment to increase the convenience for customers or enhance their connection to a brand.

A multi-channel fulfillment strategy focuses on putting products in front of as many qualified customers as possible. However, the emphasis is on increasing the online presence and not fostering a better customer experience.

Omnichannel Creates New Customer Experiences and Multi-Channel Limits Experience

Adopting the capabilities of different channels at once helps your business build new and memorable customer experiences. These are experiences your customers would see while on a single channel.

Multi-channel aids your customers in finding the products they want. The strategy lets them purchase on channels they prefer, such as Amazon, but limits exposure to your brand on that specific channel. You can deploy more marketing tactics for incorporating your Amazon business into a holistic omnichannel fulfillment strategy.

Omnichannel Retail Links Channels for Synergy and Multi-Channel Doesn’t

Omnichannel retailing refers to how physical stores and your online operations can work together. Multi-channel retailing is how a business has online and physical stores that implement separate channels.

Multi-channel marketing will use multiple selling channels to send your customer to the same or unrelated content. Omnichannel marketing requires building upon the interactions from other pipelines to advance customers to a touchpoint.

How Omnichannel Fulfillment Works

To understand the flow better, let’s break it down into 6 key areas.

1. Discovery & Engagement: The customer starts by browsing your store’s website on their laptop. They find a pair of shoes they like, check the reviews, and read the product details. This process is similar for customers looking at specialized products that need initial testing like these solar generator kits, where they can compare features and prices before making a decision. The next day, the customer visit the physical stores to see the shoes in person. They try them on but decide to think about the purchase for a bit.
2. Cross-Channel Interaction: Later, the customer gets a notification on the store’s mobile app about a limited-time discount on the shoes they tried. The app remembers their preferences from the website and in-store interactions.
3. Order Placement: The customer decides to buy the shoes through the website using the discount. They pick the option for same-day delivery.
4. Order Processing: The order system checks the inventory in warehouses and nearby stores to make sure the item is available. It takes advantage of real-time visibility to make sure the shoes are in stock. The system figures out the closest location with the shoes in stock to fulfill the order quickly.
5. Order Fulfillment: The store or warehouse staff picks the shoes, packs them up, and gets them ready for delivery. Then, the shoes are shipped to the customer’s address and they get a tracking number via email and mobile app notification.
6. Delivery & Follow-Up: The customer receives the shoes the same day, as promised. They also get a confirmation email and a prompt to leave a review. The mobile app and website suggest related products the customer might like based on their purchase and browsing history.

Is Omnichannel Fulfillment Right for Your Business?

Now you know how it works, will it work for your business? Ask yourself these 9 questions to know if omnichannel fulfillment is something you should go for.

1. Do your customers frequently switch between different sales channels (in-store, online, mobile app) during their shopping journey? If yes, omnichannel fulfillment will give them a seamless shopping experience.
2. Can your current system accurately track inventory levels in real-time across all your warehouses and stores? If not, think if you have enough resources to upgrade your inventory management system.
3. Do you need to fulfill customer orders for same-day or next-day delivery? If yes, omnichannel fulfillment will optimize order processing and delivery times so you can serve your customers better.
4. Are your customer service teams equipped to handle inquiries and issues across multiple channels? If they are, omnichannel fulfillment is designed to provide consistent support across all touchpoints.
5. Can your current IT infrastructure integrate with new omnichannel systems without extensive modifications? If yes, you can more easily and quickly implement omnichannel solutions.
6. Is your business prepared to scale operations to handle increased order volumes from multiple channels? If scalability is a challenge, you will need to invest in additional resources and infrastructure first.
7. Do you run marketing campaigns that target customers across various platforms simultaneously? If you do, omnichannel fulfillment can help you streamline your marketing efforts with seamless order processing and delivery.
8. Can you collect and analyze customer data from all sales channels to personalize their shopping experience? If you can, omnichannel fulfillment will help you leverage this data to enhance customer satisfaction.
9. Do your competitors offer a seamless shopping experience across multiple channels? If they do, adopt omnichannel fulfillment to meet or exceed consumer expectations.

Types of Businesses Omnichannel Fulfillment Benefits Most

If you’re still unsure whether omnichannel fulfillment is right for your business, consider these common scenarios and see if any of them sound like your current situation.

• Retail brick and mortar stores with more customers wanting to buy online.
• Fashion and apparel brands that see customers shopping both in-store and online.
• Electronics and appliance retailers that need real-time inventory tracking across channels.
• Grocery and food delivery services that offer same-day delivery and pick-up options.
• Health and beauty businesses that enhance personalized shopping experiences across online and offline.
• Fitness and workout products like this protein supplement with customers who prefer detailed product information and quick delivery options.
• Suppliers of nutritional ingredients like this provider that sell specialized products like amino acids to customers who require reliable sourcing and fast fulfillment.
• Furniture and home DIY stores like this playhouse build supplier that cater to customers preferring to see items in-store before purchasing online.
• Sporting goods and outdoor gear stores that meet the high demand for product availability information.
• Automotive parts and accessories shops that achieve efficient order fulfillment from multiple locations.

4 Key Components of Omnichannel Fulfillment

So that omnichannel fulfillment works well, these 4 elements should mesh together, like puzzle pieces behind the scenes.

1. Inventory Management: A smart system that tracks stock levels across all your locations. When an item runs low in one place, this system finds it elsewhere to make sure your products are always accessible.
2. Order Management: Think of order management software as your strategic planner. When a customer places an order, this software evaluates inventory across all channels and picks the best locations to source the items. It ensures that orders are fulfilled quickly and cost-effectively, to group orders and streamline delivery routes.
3. Distribution & Logistics: Shipping requires well-planned logistics which involves creating efficient shipping routes and choosing the right transportation methods so your products reach customers on time and in perfect condition.
4. Customer Service: Customer service is your frontline to keep your customers satisfied with your services. Your service teams need access to real-time order and inventory information to provide updates, handle inquiries, and resolve issues quickly, ensuring a positive shopping experience from start to finish.

The Importance of Omnichannel Order Fulfillment

Many physical retailers are not leveraging the retail digital shift that’s currently happening. Many of these businesses are experiencing reduced foot traffic, a decline in sales, and closures. Over 800 stores will close in 2023 in the U.S. due to a “retail apocalypse.”

Businesses adopting an e-commerce-only approach are making their way to success atop the digital commerce rise. For example, Amazon accounts for over 53% of its growth in online sales.

The predicament means physical retailers are using omnichannel order fulfillment methods to power their stores and in-store inventory to compete better in the e-commerce space. So, running a retail business means dealing with a high volume of orders daily and messy shipping.

The key components to satisfy customer expectations and optimize the trend are fast and timely responses and a consistent shopping experience. Omnichannel fulfillment offers many benefits, making it an indispensable business activity factor.

What Are the Difficulties of Managing Inventory and Orders Across Channels?

Poor inventory management is costing the business world over $2 billion. A lack of centralization, automation, and visibility accelerates the problem as some retailers try cutting corners.

Below are common multichannel inventory management difficulties to avoid.

• Overstocking: Overstocks cause losses of about $471.9 billion annually. One reason for these losses includes poor inventory planning. For instance, overestimating or guessing anticipated sales volume leads to higher costs and less room in the warehouse for more profitable and newer items. Posting a part of your inventory on one channel and the other portion in another to mitigate overselling is also a problem. A platform that displays “out of stock” prematurely means you’re losing out on potential sales.
• Inaccurate Forecasting: Using poor-quality data leads to a domino effect; the same applies to e-commerce. It’s difficult to backtrack when you wrongly forecast inventory because your business runs continuously. A massive 54% of retailers don’t use forecasting software and instead focus on manual calculations using the 30, 60, or 90-day model. Lack of centralization and real-time data means businesses are not catching new buyer behaviors and re-order items efficiently.
• Overselling: Sellers are losing out on $634 billion annually due to out-of-stock items. Major contributing factors are: Phantom stock OR Stock is available at the physical location in an inventory system but is not there. These are possible results of lacking software, inaccurate entries, or typos. The lack of centralization software for synchronizing sales across all channels and updating the quantities in real-time also becomes a big issue. This is especially true when promoting a low-stock product that sells out on different channels. The situation will force you to cancel orders and other consequences of stockouts.
• Poor Utilization of Available Warehouse Space: Many retailers try to divide their stock across different fulfillment centers to increase omnichannel coverage fulfillment and achieve fast shipping across all channels. However, a lack of insight leads to high shipping costs, split shipments, and longer delivery times.
• Increased Order Defect Rates (ODRs): Lack of control over inventory can lead to late deliveries, delivery exceptions, incorrect shipments, or canceled orders. The cumulative effect is a negative impact on your performance. An ODR over 1% in Amazon is a major cause of headaches, while the threshold for Walmart and eBay is 2%.
• Coordinating a Fragmented Supply Chain: Handling multiple warehouses, stores, and delivery centers can cause inefficiencies and higher costs if not managed well. Consider if your business has the planning skills and reliable partners needed to keep everything running smoothly.
• Meeting High Customer Expectations: Customers today want fast, convenient, and reliable delivery. Meeting these demands means you need top-notch logistics and fulfillment processes, which can be expensive and time-consuming to set up. Ask yourself if your current setup can be upgraded or if you can afford the investment to keep customers happy.
• Providing a Consistent Customer Experience: Customers expect the same prices, services, and products whether they shop online or in-store. This requires integrating inventory systems and well-trained staff. Evaluate if you can unify your operations to give every customer the same experience no matter where they shop.
• Handling Seasonal Volume Fluctuations: Order volumes can spike during peak seasons, putting pressure on your fulfillment capabilities. You might need extra storage, more shipping partners, or to outsource parts of your fulfillment. Think about whether your business can flexibly scale up and down without causing disruptions.

The Advantages of Omni-Channel Fulfillment

With omni-channel fulfillment businesses can offer:

• same day shipping or on demand delivery
• shipping for items bought in a retail store to the consumer’s home.
• in-store pickup for items bought online
• lower costs due to fully automated distribution.

Other advantages include real-time reporting, adjustment to seasonal demand, and accurate inventory management. Omni-channel fulfillment leads to new sales opportunities as retailers discover different ways to market items through different channels.  Streamlined warehouse operations get the product to the consumer quickly and with less cost. Satisfied customers are more likely to come back, and this makes your brand look better than a company that doesn’t use this fulfillment method.

Here are the eight biggest benefits of deploying omnichannel order fulfillment in your business.

1. Reach More Consumers: Making your products available in different platforms lets you tap into a broader audience. For example, when you use TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, you introduce your products to new potential customers, making it easier for them to discover and purchase from you. Automate as much as you can using tools tailored for each platform, like any of these TikTok automation tools to save your time.
2. More Convenient Shopping Experiences: An omnichannel approach makes the purchasing experience more consistent and easy across different channels which makes shopping more convenient.
3. Improved Order Accuracy: Order fulfillment comes from different channels and silos down into one process. The result is increased delivery process accuracy and efficiency due to a seamless shipping system.
4. Capture More Sales Opportunities: When customers can effortlessly find and buy what they need using their preferred channels, it increases the chances of repeat purchases and impulse buys which in turn increases overall sales and long-term revenue growth.
5. Accurate Reporting: Using Third-Party Logistics (3PL) lets the provider have an overview of all your channels. The system offers instant reporting, which can help highlight critical channels and identify those with poor performance. Real-time reporting helps businesses adapt and improve their warehouse processes.
6. Improved Warehouse Productivity: The system leverages new technology to streamline your fulfillment process. Your warehouse personnel gains detailed insight into critical areas, including inventory, which helps increase efficiency. Advanced inventory management and order processing systems give you a real-time view of stock levels across all locations. This integration minimizes errors and speeds up order fulfillment so that your products are always available where needed.
7. Happy Customers: Your modern customer expects immediate responses. Omnichannel fulfillment ensures their deliveries arrive faster, or the customer can pick them up from their preferred brick-and-mortar locations. The strategy helps you offer the best service at the best price, building customer loyalty across your physical and digital outlets. Providing a consistent and enjoyable shopping experience across all channels builds trust and loyalty among your customers. With the positive experience they will have with your brand, they are more likely to recommend you to others improving your reputation and attracting new business.
8. A Better Brand Image: Your customers expect access to your items wherever they are. You can achieve this by offering options for brick-and-mortar store browsing, in-store pickups, and home delivery. All these channels must be consistent in establishing your brand image.

Top Strategies for Omnichannel Fulfillment

Unfortunately, there are no one-size-fits-all omnichannel fulfillment methods because each business has its unique needs. But four strategies can work across the board.

Outsourcing to a 3PL Provider

Outsourcing your omnichannel fulfillment to a 3PL provider ensures you cover all aspects. The strategy also makes it easy to get into new sales channels while managing your orders and inventory from a single dashboard.

Keep Everything In-House

The strategy involves maintaining your products and delivering them to the post daily or renting a warehouse and running a crew for fulfillment. However, inventory strategy can be a challenge when you keep fulfillment in-house. A major issue is getting locked into a long-term warehouse lease as your operations outgrow the facilities or use less of the space available to you.

Using Diverse Services and Strategies for Different Channels

Some businesses prefer the hybrid fulfillment approach. They fulfill some orders and partner with service providers on other channels. Others have a physical store from where they sell out, which allows for curbside or in-store pickups. The stores can also fulfill orders and act as hubs for product distribution.

Using Technology That Works With All Channels

Using an ERP and order management system allows you to set the rules and consolidate different channels for a complete fulfillment strategy. Service providers often have the software, but make sure you evaluate it.

Some solutions include B2B shipping, which integrates e-commerce platforms and marketplaces with other tools, including order, inventory, and returns management modules.

How to Get Started with Omnichannel Fulfillment

Omnichannel fulfillment can take your business to the next level, ONLY if you execute it right. Here’s how to do it step by step.

Step 1: Connect All Your Sales Channels

Integrate all your sales channels, inventory, and customer data into a single system. You can use software like Shopify Plus or NetSuite to unify everything so you can track inventory in real-time and make the shopping experience seamless. This integration ensures you always know what’s in stock and where it’s located, making it easier to manage your entire inventory.

Step 2: Automate Inventory Tracking

Use your chosen software to monitor stock levels across all locations. Set up alerts for low stock and automate reordering processes to prevent shortages and overstocks so that you always have the right amount of product available, no matter where your customers are shopping.

Step 3: Simplify Your Supply Chain

Choose warehouses and distribution centers in locations that are close to your major customer bases. We can help you find the right warehouse or fulfillment center based on your requirements.

Then use routing software like Route4Me or OptimoRoute to optimize delivery paths. You can also partner with DHL or FedEx to help you manage multiple fulfillment points to reduce shipping times and costs.

Step 4: Standardize the Customer Experience

Keep the prices the same across all your sales channels. Use your software solution to standardize your pricing, services, and product availability, whether customers are shopping online or in-store. Train your staff on the right way to handle customer inquiries and concerns.

Step 5: Scale for Seasonal Demand

Prepare for peak seasons by expanding your storage and fulfillment capabilities. Set up temporary warehouses or partner with additional shipping providers like UPS or local couriers to handle the increased order volumes. You can also use predictive analytics tools within your warehouse management system to predict the demand and adjust your inventory levels.

Step 6: Invest in Fulfillment Technology

Use top inventory management systems and software advanced technology to support your omnichannel fulfillment. Use the order management features to route orders efficiently and its CRM capabilities to track customer interactions.

Step 7: Continue to Improve Your Strategy

Monitor your performance regularly and make adjustments using your software program’s data analytics tools to identify areas you can improve and adapt your strategies accordingly. Regularly review your processes to make sure they stay efficient and effective.

5 Omnichannel Best Practices

We just covered the main steps you can take, to get better results, learn how to apply these 5 best practices.

1. Regular Inventory Audits: Take a few minutes each day or week to spot-check your inventory. Even if you have automated systems, manual checks can help catch any discrepancies early on to keep your stock levels accurate and reliable.
2. Simplify Customer Returns: Make it easy for customers to return online purchases in-store. Clearly state your return policy on your website and receipts so they get confused. This makes the process smooth and hassle-free for your customers.
3. Daily Data Reviews: Set aside a bit of time each day to review your sales and customer data. Use Google Analytics to learn how to quickly adjust your inventory, pricing, or promotions so that you can keep it responsive and up-to-date. If you’re not comfortable with the technical aspects, work with Google Analytics experts to help you analyze the data so you can focus on what you can do best.
4. Encourage Customer Feedback: Ask your customers for feedback using surveys, reviews, and direct interactions. Listen to their needs and understand the bigger pain points they have. For example, if you find that they prefer same-day delivery, the core pain point might be that they need it because they have demanding schedules, unexpected needs, or last-minute plans.
5. Keep Product Listings Accurate: Make sure your online product listings are accurate and have appealing photos so that customers know exactly what they’re getting which reduces returns and increases satisfaction.

Omnichannel Metrics that Matter

Expect some initial imperfections in your processes. Track these key performance indicators so you can identify where you excel and where you fall short so you can make the needed adjustments to make the most out of your omnichannel strategy.

Customer Experience Metrics for Omnichannel Fulfillment

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

Conduct customer surveys asking, “On a scale of 0-10, how likely are you to recommend our company to a friend or colleague?” To calculate, subtract the percentage of detractors (0-6 ratings) from the percentage of promoters (9-10 ratings).

What it means: A high NPS indicates strong customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT)

Collect post-purchase surveys or feedback forms asking customers to rate their satisfaction on a scale from 1-5.

What it means: A higher CSAT score means customers are generally satisfied with their experience.

Sales Performance Metrics for Omnichannel Fulfillment

Conversion Rate

Track the number of purchases divided by the number of visitors across all sales channels using tools like Google Analytics.

What it means: A higher conversion rate indicates that a larger percentage of visitors are making purchases, suggesting effective sales tactics and customer experience.

Average Order Value (AOV)

Calculate the total revenue divided by the number of orders within a specific period.

What it means: A higher AOV means customers are spending more per transaction, which can signal successful upselling and cross-selling strategies.

Operational Efficiency Metrics for Omnichannel Fulfillment

Order Fulfillment Time

Measure the time from order placement to delivery using your order management system (ex. NetSuite, ShipStation).

What it means: A shorter fulfillment time suggests efficient processing and logistics, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction.

Inventory Turnover Rate

Calculate the cost of goods sold divided by the average inventory during a period using inventory management software.

What it means: A higher turnover rate indicates that inventory is being sold and replaced quickly, reflecting effective inventory management and demand planning.

Customer Retention Metrics for Omnichannel Fulfillment

Repeat Purchase Rate

Track the percentage of customers who make more than one purchase within a specific timeframe using your CRM system.

What it means: A higher repeat purchase rate indicates strong customer loyalty and satisfaction with your products and services.

Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)

Calculate the total revenue generated from a customer over their entire relationship with your business, often using CRM data.

What it means: A higher CLV suggests that customers are valuable and likely to continue buying from you over the long term.

Marketing Effectiveness Metrics for Omnichannel Fulfillment

Return on Investment (ROI)

Calculate the net profit from marketing efforts divided by the total marketing spend, using data from your marketing analytics tools.

What it means: A higher ROI means that your marketing campaigns are generating more profit relative to their cost.

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

Divide the total marketing and sales expenses by the number of new customers acquired during a specific period.

What it means: A lower CAC indicates that you are efficiently acquiring new customers without overspending.

Again, your time is better spent on what you do best. Delegate the detailed tasks of monitoring these metrics to a freelance or full-time sales expert. Using a vetted service like Genius helps you find the right talent to handle these responsibilities efficiently.

Case Studies: Learning from Leading Brands

Walmart’s Pickup Towers

Walmart installed “Pickup Towers” in hundreds of stores across the country. These are like giant vending machines where customers can pick up their online orders without needing any help. Customers receive a barcode when they place an order online, which they scan at the tower to open the locker with their items. This adds another convenient option besides curbside pickup.

Results: The Pickup Towers made picking up orders much faster, cutting wait times to less than a minute. Customer satisfaction went up by 20%, and Walmart saw a 30% increase in online sales because customers found it so convenient.

Key Takeaway: Embrace New Technologies. Walmart’s Pickup Towers show how adopting new technology can make order processing quicker and meet changing customer needs. Introducing automated solutions will improve efficiency and provide more convenient options for your customers. Make sure to test these technologies thoroughly before rolling them out widely to get the best results.

Amazon Prime & Same-day Delivery

Amazon’s most effective omnichannel fulfillment strategy is its Amazon Prime program, which offers fast and reliable delivery options, including same-day delivery. By leveraging a vast network of fulfillment centers located near major urban areas, Amazon can quickly deliver products to customers. Their use of advanced logistics and technology ensures that orders are processed and dispatched efficiently.

Results: The introduction of same-day delivery through Amazon Prime has significantly boosted Prime memberships to 30% increase. This strategy has also contributed to a 25% increase in overall sales, as customers are more likely to make frequent purchases knowing they can receive their items quickly.

Key Takeaway: Leverage Fast Delivery Options. Amazon’s success with Prime and same-day delivery highlights how important it is to offer fast and reliable delivery options to meet customer expectations. Place inventory close to your customers. Start by identifying areas where you can speed up delivery and consider offering premium delivery services for your most valued customers.

Consumers’ Expectations are High

Due to the “Amazon effect” consumers now expect options that were impossible in the days before e-commerce. They expect faster, easier and less expensive shipping. According to an article on retailTouchPoints, Amazon pioneered fast shipping and versatile stock options, but this now means that consumers expect the same from most other retailers. Speed and accurate delivery through an omni-channel supply chain allows your business to compete with big companies such as Amazon Fulfillment. During the record holiday sales season of 2014, retailers such as Macy’s Target and Best Buy greatly improved delivery with omni-channel fulfillment .

Considering the variety in modern e-commerce, omni-channel fulfillment allows companies to look consistent across all of their retail channels. The consumer sees the same shipping policies, prices and product availability on Facebook as they do in the retail store or on the web site. These areas are more consistently and accurately updated.

Using omni-channel fulfillment not only brings your company up to date, but it allows for speed, accuracy and efficiency. For more information about fulfillment options, please contact us.

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