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Warehousing or Fulfillment Service – Understanding Your Needs

Warehouse Worker Pulling Boxes Down to Fulfill an Order.

As the operator of a virtual storefront, your eCommerce business needs storage for your products and a way to fulfill orders. Which will better satisfy your needs: a warehouse or a fulfillment company? Take a closer look at how each one works.

Difference Between Warehouse and Fulfillment Center

  • Warehouses are widely used by both eCommerce shops and brick-and-mortar stores. These large facilities provide storage for a company’s inventory until it’s sold. Individual SKUs (stock keeping units) are kept on shelves or in storage bins and containers to facilitate order-picking.
  • On the other hand, a fulfillment center is a more comprehensive operation. In addition to storing product, a fulfillment center generally handles the entire process, from inventory management to order filling and shipping. These centers are sometimes referred to as a third-party logistics provider, or 3PL.

Benefits of a Fulfillment Company

  • In business, larger volume means better pricing. A fulfillment center manages a number of customers, allowing them to receive more advantageous pricing on supplies and transportation than you could ever obtain on your own.
  • Are you finding it difficult to keep up with the ever-increasing number of orders? Is it taking too long for customers to receive their products? Fulfillment centers have streamlined processes that can be scaled to accommodate company growth.
  • Order fulfillment involves many moving parts. Managing this side of your business on your own is cumbersome and time-consuming. When you partner with a fulfillment warehouse, it frees you up to spend your time and energy growing your business.

A Fulfillment Company Invested in Your Success

At Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics, your success means our success. We have a variety of services, including start-up and Amazon replenishment warehousing, that can be tailored to fit your individual needs. Contact us today for more information.

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Starting an Ecommerce Store? What to Know to Succeed

Small Business Owner Fulfilling an Order

Ecommerce has gone from a rarity to an established way of business. If you’re planning to start an Ecommerce store, the road is already laid out for you. Follow these useful tips from entrepreneurs who have been in your shoes, as shared by our fulfillment warehouse experts.

1. Know your customers.

This is one piece of advice carried over from the brick-and-mortar world. Customers purchase based on what they want and what they need, so make sure you understand these wishes and how best to fulfill them. Remember that tastes and trends are always shifting and be flexible enough to pivot as needed.

2. Build your brand.

No matter what product or service you’re selling, you’re competing with thousands of companies that are selling the same thing. Identify the unique selling point that makes you stand out from the rest and build your brand around that concept.

3. Protect your profit margins.

Novice Ecommerce owners sometimes feel obligated to prime the pump with free shipping and discounts in hopes of quickly building a customer base. As a result, sales may look good on paper but they’re not actually making any money. Have the confidence to let your product or service stand on its own merits and be judicious about offering costly incentives.

4. Go all in.

Successful entrepreneurs don’t do things halfway. If you’re going to start an Ecommerce business, you need to be all in with your online presence. Invest the time and learn how to maximize your web page and social media platforms.

Fulfillment Warehouse Services That Grow with You

You don’t have to go it alone. Contact Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics to learn more about our full range of solutions for your Ecommerce business, including our Amazon replenishment warehouse service.

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Five Important Trends to Embrace for 2023

Five Important Trends to Embrace for 2023

Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously said, “Change is the only constant in life.” Thousands of years later, his words still apply. So what changes are in store for eCommerce in 2023? Keep your finger on the pulse by adopting these trends identified by our fulfillment warehouse staff.

1. Sustainability becomes a greater factor in purchasing decisions.

As consumers become more aware of environmental concerns, a recent study shows that four out of five shoppers consider sustainability when choosing brands to support. Major player such as Amazon and Apple have made public commitments to become carbon-neutral by a specific deadline.

2. Voice assistants “handle” an increasing share of consumer purchasing.

As of 2022, more than one-third of consumers use Alexa, Siri and other voice assistants on a daily basis. Savvy eCommerce retailers are incorporating voice-enabled technology to make the shopping experience more intuitive and hands-free.

3. Direct-to-consumer grows in popularity.

The pandemic caused unprecedented changes in how companies do business. In one development, retailers discovered that direct-to-consumer (DTC) selling models are more efficient and profitable. DTC selling also allows for more interaction with consumers, which in turn builds loyalty.

4. TikTok continues to be a dominant force in social media.

Over the last few years, video hosting site TikTok has exploded in popularity, becoming the most downloaded app worldwide. eCommerce retailers are finding that TikTok is a great platform for advertising and brand content.

5. Online shopping goes live.

Think of it as a virtual Home Shopping Network. Many eCommerce retailers are holding live streaming events featuring their products. This strategy strengthens the connection with customers, letting them ask questions and make purchases in real time.

Grow Your eCommerce Business with Our Fulfillment Warehouse

Contact Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics to learn how our services give you more time to grow your sales.

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3PL or 4PL What’s the Difference?

Young Businesswoman Under the Stress of Organizing Business Logistics

 

So how much difference does a single digit make? In the case of 3PL and 4PL, the answer can have a significant impact on your choice of fulfillment company. Here’s a look at what this means for your business.

What is a 3PL?

A third-party logistics provider, also referred to as 3PL, is a valuable solution for many eComm businesses. A 3PL handles some or all of your company’s shipping needs, such as transportation and information technology (IT).

Benefits of a 3PL

  • As an entrepreneur, you understand the business side. 3PLs have extensive experience with supply chain logistics, which frees you up to focus on the main goal of growing sales.
  • Supply chain functions are costly in terms of time, space and labor. When you partner with a fulfillment company, they provide these elements for a fraction of the price you would pay if you did everything on your own.
  • The needs of an eComm business can vary from year to year, and even from season to season. A 3PL can scale their services to accommodate seasonal spikes, market fluctuations and company growth.

Do you need a 4PL?

A 4PL, or fourth-party logistics provider, adds another layer to the operations of a 3PL. While a 3PL executes supply chain activities, a 4PL goes a step further by taking charge of overall supply chain management.

If you want to take a complete hands-off position with your supply chain operation, a 4PL can be a great option. The 4PL will work with your 3PL, including fulfillment warehouse and carriers, creating a centralized contact that enables strong communication and smooth procedures from start to finish.

Fulfillment Company Services for Any Applications

Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics brings years of industry experience to provide solutions for all your eComm needs. Contact us today to learn more.

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Five eCommerce Trends Emerging in 2023

eCommerce Trends

When you run an eCommerce business, staying aware of the latest trends is essential. Knowing what these trends are can help you adjust your approach to running your business in order to help it thrive. From using a fulfillment warehouse to relying on chatbots for customer support, these are some of the top eCommerce trends in the new year.

Chatbots as Customer Support

Did you know that using chatbots for customer support can lead to higher revenue for your eCommerce business? While you might think customers prefer interacting with a live person, many find it easier to use a chatbot for support.

Increased Competition

The number of eCommerce stores continues to grow as new businesses open up and brick-and-mortar stores launch online services. This increased competition makes it more important than ever to focus on customer satisfaction and marketing.

More Online Customers

Although the number of online shops is increasing, so is the number of customers who shop online. This can give you a better chance of attracting more customers and rising above the competition. Figuring out your target audience and finding ways to market your products to them is the key to success for your eCommerce business.

Live Video Shopping

A newer trend involves the use of live streaming for online shopping. How does this work? Businesses show the products they have available and sell them in a live video.

Third-Party Logistics

Third-party logistics (3PL) services can take a number of tasks off your hands. You can depend on these services to fulfill orders for you in a timely manner and handle other tasks that help your business thrive.

If you’re looking for a dependable fulfillment warehouse, please contact Medallion Fulfillment and Logistics. Our services can help your business run smoothly and boost customer satisfaction.