Flexible order fulfillment is essentially when a business leverages its brick-and-mortar store as a distribution center capable of fulfilling orders. This means picking, packing, and shipping out to consumers, or preparing the product to have it picked up in store.
There are many benefits to developing flexible order fulfillment. Allowing this service enables businesses to better keep up with shifting customer demands and expectations. It also reduces the full strain of inventory responsibility from the warehouse and acts as another level to your omni-channel retail operation. Additionally, when stores have allowed for in-store pickup, statistics show that 45% of those customers make an additional purchase.
Many businesses are already seeing benefits from flexible fulfillment. As of last year, retailer Target has said that 25% of its online product orders are picked up in store. A survey by UPS shows that this trend is much more widespread. In fact, 48% of consumers in this survey have ordered products for pickup in store or ship to store.
The challenge of flexibility in order fulfillment is that retail stores must now improve their means of inventory. Staff should be able to locate items efficiently and have them prepared as seamlessly as they would in a formal warehouse. But that is a matter of technology and strategy. The payoff for this can be immense if done correctly.
There are definitely specific qualities you should be looking for in your order fulfillment partners. Let’s detail a few:
APS Fulfillment, Inc. helps our clients reach their flexible fulfillment goals. Contact us now so we can get you headed in the right direction when it comes to meeting the logistics needs for your business and your customers.
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