Have you ever been swamped with orders, struggling to manage stock and ensure timely deliveries for your apparel business?
As an e-commerce business in the clothing and apparel sector, you know there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. It can be a hassle keeping track of it all while building a successful brand.
This is where apparel fulfillment companies come in. Unlike general dropshipping stores, your apparel business faces specific issues, which means you need specialized services to achieve a seamless workflow.
But with so many out there, how do you pick the right one?
In this article, we break down what these companies do and list the best ones out there for you to make an informed decision.
What Do Apparel Fulfillment Companies Do?
Running an online clothing store has its fair share of challenges. When I first started out, I was swamped with orders and constantly juggling stock. I kept hearing about apparel fulfillment companies, but what did they actually do?
The way they store clothes is another game changer. No more wrinkled shirts arriving at customers’ doorsteps. They carefully hang and fold items, ensuring everything stays in tip-top shape.
And packaging? With their help, every package sent out feels like it’s been wrapped with care, like a personal touch from your store to the customer.
But what sealed the deal for me was how they manage returns. It’s a given in our line of work – not everything fits or suits everyone. These companies make returns smooth, keeping customers happy and making life a whole lot easier.
Benefits of Using a Fulfillment Service
Inventory management
Fulfillment Services gives you real-time inventory management. You won’t need to train staff or build infrastructure to handle your stocks because they’ll take care of it all. In addition, they often have systems that help you check how much you have in stock with just the click of a button. This gives you the freedom you need to make informed decisions.
Packaging
Fulfillment services help you handle the packaging and branding experience. One of the most crucial ways your business can stand out is by having unique packaging. Using a fulfillment service helps you achieve this at little to no extra cost to yourself. This means you can create an amazing product branding experience for your customers.
Shipping
Fulfillment services are experts at fulfilling orders and shipping them out. They take your goods from the border to your customers’ doorsteps faster and easier than you could on your own. By leveraging their networks and supply chains, they make sure that your goods are (almost) always delivered on time.
Customer service
A benefit of using a fulfillment company is that you get 24/7 customer service. This is a key thing to look out for when outsourcing an entire aspect of your business. With good customer service, you can be sure that any issues you have will be sorted out quickly. This means that your business and its reputation are never in danger.
How To Choose the Right Apparel Fulfillment Company for Your Business
Determine your fulfilment needs
Deciding to let someone else handle order fulfilment is a big decision. It’s best to think it through and have a solid reason for doing so.
Typically, outsourcing becomes a good idea when you’re dealing with more than 100 orders each month.
As your order volume increases, having another company handle shipping can actually save you money.
However, it’s not just about hitting that 100-order mark and automatically outsourcing.
There are other signs that it might be time to get some help:
- Your customer base is growing rapidly.
- You struggle to fulfill orders as quickly and accurately as before.
- Shipping costs are becoming unmanageably high.
- Your storage space is running low.
Take a look at your products carefully too. Knowing what storage and handling your clothing needs is important for making a profit.
- Fragile clothing: These need secure packaging, the right temperature, and gentle handling to avoid damage during shipping.
- High-Value Products: You might need extra security measures to prevent theft or loss, especially for items like high-quality silk or clothing with precious jewels.
- Diverse Product Range: If you offer a range of products, make sure your fulfilment company can handle their different requirements.
By understanding your product details well, you can choose a company that can store, handle, and ship them in a way that keeps their quality intact and reduces risks throughout the fulfilment process.
Research and compare providers
Begin by making a list of potential fulfilment companies that match what you need.
Do not be scared to ask questions from others in your industry for suggestions, search online, or check out directories and marketplaces that focus on logistics.
Make sure you cast a wide net at first to make sure you have plenty of choices to consider.
Once you’ve gathered a list of potential providers, you will now need to dig deeper into what they offer.
Do not just look at their basic fulfilment process, also check out their additional services like inventory management, order processing, handling returns, and customer support. These are very important.
See if they also provide customization options or specialized solutions that can fit your industry or product needs.
This thorough evaluation ensures you find a provider that meets all your requirements.
Consider locations and transportation areas
When choosing a fulfilment partner, consider their location and the reach of their shipping zones.
Your partner should have a diverse and far-spreading delivery network to ensure smooth product delivery to your customers.
Make sure their main delivery areas match your target market to prevent delays and enhance customer satisfaction.
Ask yourself where it makes the most sense to have your fulfilment centre located.
Look at real-time sales volume data and forecasting to see which areas will perform better with shipping and where most of your shipments will go.
Freight carriers classify shipping lanes into eight zones, so you want to get your fulfilment centre in the right zone for your business.
You can perform other tests and gather analytics on pre-sales, competitive analysis, and market research to learn more about which zones are relevant to your business.
Make sure you look at zones critically when picking a partner and look at sales performance across different zip codes.
Evaluate the fulfilment company’s order management system, inventory tracking, and reporting capabilities.
Also, check out their technological abilities. Look into their order management systems, inventory tracking software, and how well they integrate with your e-commerce platform or website.
A great fulfilment service provider will provide various tech tools like a Warehouse Management System (WMS), Inventory Management System (IMS), Transport Management System (TMS), and cloud-based systems.
These tools boost supply chain visibility and track all operations in real-time. This reduces errors and improves efficiency.
Consider vendors with experience in the apparel industry
Fulfilment companies vary in how they operate. Some specialize in certain industries or niche businesses.
If your business has specific needs, it’s best to find a fulfilment partner with experience in handling your products and customer base.
Look for a logistics company that already serves e-commerce businesses. Experience with e-commerce fulfilment means your provider can offer valuable advice as your business expands.
Also ensure that the fulfillment service provider has a wealth of experience in picking, packing, and shipping.
The service provider you choose should have a proven track record in the industry and goodwill amongst its previous customers.
Understand the pricing structure, contract terms and any additional fees or minimums
When comparing fulfilment companies, look at how they set their prices to avoid unexpected costs or inflexible agreements.
Some might charge a flat fee for each order, while others might have different rates depending on how many orders you have or what extra services you need.
Don’t just focus on the initial costs – also check for any hidden fees like storage or handling charges, or if there’s a minimum order amount required.
This helps you understand the full cost and find the best fit for your business.
Prioritize customer service and support
Make sure your fulfilment partner has a strong customer support team.
When issues come up, you want to know you can quickly solve problems and get the support you and your customers need.
Check the communication channels and support options they offer, and how they handle emergencies. This ensures you have the help you need when things go wrong.
Importance of Apparel Fulfillment Services for Businesses in the Fashion Industry
Now you know why investing in a fulfillment service is beneficial, let’s dive into the importance of apparel fulfillment services for businesses in the fashion industry.a
Complex inventory management
Handling the inventory for an apparel store can be particularly tasking, especially because of all the different types of clothes you must manage. It can be difficult to keep track of it all. And that’s where apparel fulfillment companies come in.
Because they specialize in catering to apparel stores, they have various solutions and systems that make handling it all a breeze.
They’re like the backstage managers of a store. They use smart systems to neatly arrange clothes on racks and shelves, ensuring they look fresh and wrinkle-free.
Even better, they keep a close count of every item, updating you on how many you have left. So, for instance, when winter shifts to spring, you’re not left scrambling, wondering if you have enough stock.
Demand for fast delivery
A crucial aspect of selling clothing items is that people want and expect fast shipping, which can be a challenge. However, apparel fulfillment services can leverage their experience to reduce shipping times and keep your customers happy.
Because they understand that delivery is key, they can partner with high quality firms. They usually use the amount of overall units they will be shipping to leverage and get a better deal. This leads to your customers’ orders always being on time.
Higher fulfillment accuracy
Different clothes have different needs. Some vary by size and color, while others vary by style and quality and lots more. So, there’s a lot that can go wrong when sending them out. Apparel fulfillment services know how to handle these challenges. They have the tools and experience to fulfill orders quickly, ensuring accurate delivery with zero errors.
By leveraging experience, they can reduce their margin for error. Thus reducing cases of customers getting the wrong size or color. This means that they create a better customer experience.
Demanding need for efficiency
Apparel stores can experience a lot of factors that regular stores don’t like. A good example of such is high return rates. To combat this, apparel fulfillment agents offer services that ensure that your work process is efficient and productive while meeting the ever-changing needs of customers.
They have trained employees and structures in place to boost efficiency. They also leverage their skills to have the best systems for fulfillment in place as well.
Flexibility and scalability
In the fluctuating world of fashion, it’s essential to have an apparel fulfillment partner who can swiftly adapt.
Whether it’s managing the rush of peak seasons or efficiently navigating off-peak periods, these companies excel by seamlessly handling order volume changes, saving you the hassle of adjusting the workforce or incurring extra labor costs.
Improved customer experience
An apparel fulfillment service helps you provide your customers with good experiences. They help provide fast shipping, faster returns and amazing packaging. They help you curate an experience your customers will enjoy.
Shipping in high volumes
As a clothing brand or apparel store there’s often the need to ship large quantities of clothing during seasonal periods and sales. That is where apparel fulfillment services come in. They use their network and experience to streamline the process of making high-volume shipments to make sure all orders arrive when they should.
This is especially good during sales and seasons of high demand. Majorly because you can be sure that your customers will all get their goods when they should.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Apparel Fulfillment Company
There are a lot of advantages to using an apparel fulfillment company. But there are also a lot of factors to consider. Let’s take a look at a few:
Quality of Service
The first thing you should always look out for is the quality of service.
The efficiency and accuracy of order processing can make or break your brand’s reputation. Check for companies with high accuracy rates and fewer order mistakes. Also, check for agencies that provide efficient packing to ensure products arrive in perfect condition.
It’s always best to remember that a history of on-time deliveries is also a testament to their commitment to quality service. Reviews and testimonials can shed light on their past performance and give insights into their operational excellence.
You only want to work with the best companies to offer the best services to your customers. A happy customer is a happy business.
Pricing Structure
The pricing structure of a potential fulfillment partner is an important thing to consider. This is especially true for small and medium-scale stores that have small budgets. You need to see their pricing model, including their storage fees. Some companies will give you volume discounts. Others will help you haggle for the cheapest shipping prices possible.
You must always be aware of the costs and their implications for your prices and profit. That way, you can ensure it aligns with your goals and budget. You never want to pay more than you can afford or need to.
Scalability and Flexibility
As your apparel business grows, your fulfillment partner needs to be able to scale and adapt as well. Scalability ensures that as your business expands, the company can handle increasing order volumes without hitches.
You have to consider if they can handle the fluctuations that come with seasons and sales when demand is high.
Companies that offer scalable solutions and quickly adapt to changing demands are more likely to provide seamless service, ensuring customer satisfaction.
That way, they can cater to increased demand and volume without sacrificing the quality of their services.
Technology and Integration
It’s the digital age, and technology plays a key role in having efficient and effective fulfillment operations. You need to look at the quality of your potential partners’ companies. The ideal company offers seamless integration with your e-commerce store.
They allow you to have real-time inventory updates. They also let you track your customers’ orders and automate your order processing.
By implementing solutions like barcode scanning and data analytics, they improve accuracy. They can also boost their efficiency as well as the customer experience. Improving your brand experience as a whole.
Customer Support
When looking for an apparel fulfillment agent, you need one with a strong customer care system. Examine how available and attentive they are. Also, their readiness to handle any issues or concerns that may emerge.
They need to provide customer support and guarantee clear communication at all times. They also need to be good at problem solving and help provide whatever information you need.
Pick a fulfillment service that offers specialized account managers or support teams. That way, you’re always in the loop.
Review of Top Apparel Fulfillment Companies
Here are our top picks of the best apparel fulfillment companies to consider for your business:
ShipBob
ShipBob is an apparel fulfillment firm that provides warehouse, order fulfillment, and shipping services. They provide same-day shipment, real-time inventory updates, and integration with well-known e-commerce platforms.
When it comes to helping businesses expand, ShipBob focuses on offering quick and inexpensive fulfillment options.
Advantages:
- Good shipping rates
- Provides excellent customer service support.
- Easy to use for eCommerce sellers of all levels
- Integrates with major eCommerce platforms
- Global reach
Downsides:
- Only handles order fulfillment from the US, UK, Europe, and Australia.
Whiplash
Whiplash is renowned for its technology-driven fulfillment services. They provide sophisticated reporting, configurable packaging choices, and real-time inventory visibility.
Whiplash offers integrations with several e-commerce platforms and serves businesses of all sizes.
Advantages:
- Streamlined return process(Sub 48 hours)
- Offers customization services
- Allows Order Tracking
- Automated management system
Downsides:
- Only has warehouses in America
ShipCalm
Order processing, kitting, and return handling are just a few of the many services that ShipCalm provides and specializes in providing for the apparel industry.
They provide same-day shipping and cutting-edge tracking technologies with a focus on accuracy and efficiency.
Advantages:
- Offers detailed inventory control
- Offer customization options
- Integrates with major eCommerce platforms
Downsides:
- Complex pricing system
ShipMonk
ShipMonk provides complete fulfillment services, including shipping, pick-and-pack, and warehousing.
To ensure a flawless fulfillment experience, they provide cutting-edge technological integrations, open pricing, and individualized assistance.
Advantages:
- Integrates with major eCommerce platforms
- 4-in-1 cloud-based solutions
- Strategically located warehouses
- Excellent customer support
- No setup fees
- No order minimum
Downsides:
- Complex to use for beginners.
- No warehouses in Europe (yet)
Fulfillment by Amazon
A common choice for apparel and clothing companies selling on the Amazon marketplace is Fulfillment by Amazon. With FBA, Amazon takes care of order storage, selection, packaging, and shipping.
They provide quick delivery alternatives, Prime client access, and round-the-clock customer service.
Advantages:
- Strong brand reputation
- Product protection
- Multichannel options
- Amazon’s New Seller incentives
- Products eligible for Amazon Prime 2-Day Shipping
- Cost-effective
Downsides:
- Branding limitations
- Increased returns
- Lack of control when it comes to inventory organization
Shopify Fulfillment Network
For companies using the Shopify platform, the Shopify Fulfillment Network offers a comprehensive fulfillment service. They provide services for order processing, shipping, and storage.
Providing fast delivery, precise order fulfillment, and simple scalability are their main priorities.
Advantages:
- Manage everything from one platform.
- Pack, ship, and track orders
- Inventory distribution
- Shopify handles returns and exchanges.
Downsides
- Limited to sellers located in the US.
- Minimum of 10 orders per day and a maximum of 10,000 orders per day.
- Costly.
Globallyfulfill
Globallyfulfill is an apparel fulfillment company that provides services such as 3PL eCommerce fulfillment, drop shipping, and China sourcing.
They offer private label and product branding options. They also have quality control services and competitive pricing plans.
Advantages:
- Helps source goods from China
- Integrates with major eCommerce platforms
- Real time order tracking
Downsides:
- Warehousing is only free for 90 days in China
Conclusion
Selecting the ideal apparel fulfillment company for your business is necessary to ensure smooth operations.
It can also result in satisfied customers and long-term success. You unlock many benefits by assessing your business needs and aligning with a partner who understands and caters to those specific requirements.
The selection shouldn’t be made in a hurry. Take your time to choose a partner that fits your needs.
By doing so, you lay a good foundation for efficient operations. It further stirs exceptional customer experiences and sustains business growth.
