Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are rewriting the rules of retail—building loyal communities, controlling their messaging, and delivering curated experiences. But as orders grow and customer expectations rise, fulfillment becomes a bottleneck. That’s where third-party logistics (3PL) providers step in—not just as operational support, but as strategic accelerators. If you didn’t catch part one of this article you can find it here.
Four Key Benefits of 3PL Partnerships
Cost Reduction Through Operational Efficiency
3PL providers achieve economies of scale that individual brands cannot match. By consolidating shipments and leveraging established carrier relationships, they secure better shipping rates. Medallion Fulfillment’s bulk shipping agreements result in significant savings that we pass directly to our clients.
Storage optimization reduces warehousing costs through efficient space utilization and shared infrastructure. Instead of paying for dedicated warehouse space year-round, brands only pay for the storage they actually use.
Enhanced Focus on Core Business Activities
When logistics operations move to experienced 3PL providers, internal teams can redirect energy toward revenue-generating activities. Marketing campaigns, product development, customer service, and strategic partnerships all benefit from increased attention and resources.
This refocusing often accelerates growth beyond what improved fulfillment efficiency alone could achieve. Brands that outsource ecommerce fulfillment typically see faster product launch cycles and more aggressive market expansion.
Improved Customer Experience and Satisfaction
Professional 3PL operations deliver consistently superior customer experiences. Order accuracy rates typically exceed 99.8%, while shipping times often improve by 2-3 days compared to in-house operations.
Advanced tracking systems keep customers informed throughout the fulfillment process, reducing support inquiries and increasing satisfaction. When issues do arise, experienced 3PL teams resolve them quickly without involving brand resources.
Scalability Without Operational Complexity
3PL partnerships eliminate the need to forecast warehouse capacity, hire seasonal staff, or invest in additional fulfillment infrastructure. During peak seasons or promotional periods, your 3PL automatically scales operations to meet demand.
This flexibility proves especially valuable for DTC brands with seasonal products or those experiencing rapid, unpredictable growth. You can focus on driving sales without worrying about fulfillment capacity constraints.
Success Stories: DTC Brands That Scaled With 3PLs
Several household-name DTC brands have leveraged 3PL partnerships to achieve remarkable growth:
Warby Parker revolutionized eyewear retail through their direct-to-consumer model, but their success required efficient distribution to compete with traditional optical chains. Strategic 3PL partnerships enabled rapid geographic expansion while maintaining their distinctive customer experience.
Glossier built a devoted following around minimalist beauty products and community-driven marketing. As order volumes exploded, partnering with experienced 3PLs allowed them to maintain fast shipping and branded packaging without diverting resources from product development and customer engagement.
Allbirds gained popularity through sustainable footwear and transparent business practices. Their complex supply chain and global shipping requirements made 3PL partnerships essential for maintaining their ethical standards while scaling internationally.
Casper transformed the mattress industry with their bed-in-a-box concept, but shipping large, bulky products required specialized logistics expertise. 3PL partnerships enabled reliable delivery of their innovative packaging while supporting rapid market expansion.
Choosing the Right 3PL Partner
Success depends on selecting a 3PL provider that understands DTC brand needs and can grow alongside your business. Look for partners offering seamless technology integration, transparent pricing, and experience serving similar brands.
At Medallion Fulfillment, we specialize in supporting DTC brands through every growth stage. Our scalable services, strategic warehouse locations, and flat-rate fulfillment programs for startups provide the flexibility growing brands need. Whether you’re shipping 100 orders per month or 10,000 per day, our systems and expertise adapt to your requirements.
Transform Your Fulfillment Into a Competitive Advantage
The most successful DTC brands treat fulfillment as a strategic capability, not just an operational necessity. 3PL partnerships enable this transformation by providing professional operations, advanced technology, and scalable infrastructure—freeing you to focus on what you do best.
Don’t let fulfillment bottlenecks limit your growth potential. Contact Medallion Fulfillment today to start your third party logistics for ecommerce partnership and discover how professional fulfillment services can accelerate your DTC brand’s success.