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Target recently announced that they will be shutting down all of their operations in Canada. This was a big shock to many due to the amount of money and jobs lost.

Much of Target’s Canadian failure has been attributed to supply chain issues. All fulfillment companies can learn from Target and use the following checklist to ensure they are utilizing their supply chain services correctly:

1.  Do You Have the Proper Software?

The media has noted that Target Canada didn’t have the proper software management services to link the retailer with its supply chain companies, something a business cannot let happen. While it’s true that technology can be frustrating and hard to keep up with, you have to make sure that your supply chain software is working in order to handle orders quickly.

There have been a variety of predictions for what fulfillment centers can expect in 2015. With the rise of both e- and m-commerce order fulfillment in 2014, the idea of fulfillment companies operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week is a viable one.

People work a lot of hours and have to do their shopping when time allows; this is often at lunchtime and in the middle of the night. While you may think your fulfillment business can’t meet that kind of demand, having such an operation isn’t as hard as you might think. It’s simply a matter of expanding your current services with modern technology and meeting the subsequent demand.

With the holidays here and 2015 just around the corner, you can bet that fulfillment clients have some high demands. Not only do they want gifts for their friends and family in time for Christmas, but they want new, impressive products and services for the New Year.

This may sound challenging, and if you run a fulfillment company, you’re likely already busy just trying to meet current demands. But meeting increased demand is actually quite doable; it’s just a matter of expanding your repertoire.

Of all the processes that make up product fulfillment, pick-and-pack can be the most cumbersome. Extensive organization, as well as your personalized working methods, are required for your pick-and-pack fulfillment to succeed.

It’s wise to think of the pick-and-pack process as similar to a factory assembly line: the client places an order and your business then receives, prepares, and ships it. Following that process is the first step; here are other important details.

Product fulfillment companies won’t be very successful if clients’ packages are damaged or lost. Too many businesses neglect the quality of packages, leading to damage to their business’ reputation.

While shipping and handling may be an unpleasant added fee, they’re a valuable aspect of product fulfillment. It needs to be taken seriously and done with care if you want your business to survive.

Considerations

First of all, packaging requires three things: the necessary materials, the ability to package the items appropriately, and the methods to ship them. Other considerations stem from these three things, such as the sizes of your products, which containers to use, and what kind of assembly services you’ll need for certain products. Your business will also benefit from having proper kitting and assembly in place to perform more complex mailings. At this stage, good care is of the essence.

If you’re having others handle your package assembly, be they coworkers or a third-party fulfillment company, make sure they exercise good handling techniques, including wrapping up items before putting them into containers and sealing up cartons tightly. And if you’re using an electronic method, make sure it’s functioning properly.

One Hundred Percent

Do not also forget that your packaging should promote your product fulfillment business. Regardless of whether yours is a small operation or a large warehousing and fulfillment company that performs large-scale mail order fulfillment, make sure you take advantage of your packaging’s ability to advertise. Include catalogs, brochures, coupons, or promotions that you think the clients might like, and make sure your packages include your business’ logo, contact information, and any company websites.

Obviously, you also need to offer tracking information and insurance to clients, as well as give them the means to offer feedback, such as surveys or quality assessments. These may be the deciding factors in whether or not your shipping and handling practices improve and are well-received by clients.

Need solutions to your product fulfillment problems? APS Fulfillment, Inc. has the knowledge and services to make your direct mail and product fulfillment ventures more successful. Contact APS Fulfillment, Inc. by e-mail at [email protected], or by phone at (954) 582-7450.

Also Read: Sustainable E-Commerce Fulfillment: Bettering the Planet and Improving Business Growth

With warmer weather comes more social gatherings, and this is no different in the business world. This is apparent from the number of conventions that take place in the early spring. At these conventions, professionals gather to exchange information within their industry.

Those in product fulfillment stand to obtain a good advantage by attending conventions. Whether there to learn or to actively participate, you can gain the info and skills to help your business generate more clients—and with them, more profit.