Tag: Fulfillment Warehouse

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How Can I Use AI for My Ecommerce Store?

An Illustration of Two People Using Electronics around an AI Bot.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has been making headlines in recent months. While you might think it’s meant more for computer experts, any kind of business can use AI. In fact, combining AI usage with other services, such as a fulfillment warehouse, can help businesses exceed customer expectations. From email automation to chatbots, learn more about how AI can help your online business succeed.

Virtual Personal Assistants and Chatbots

AI tools can offer a convenient way for customers to get assistance while visiting your online store. Chatbots have been in use for many years. This tool can answer questions or give other information while interacting with customers. Virtual personal assistants provide a more sophisticated way for customers to get help while doing business with your online store. These AI tools help ensure that customers can get assistance around the clock if needed.

Personalized Communication

Chatbots and virtual personal assistants aren’t the only AI tools you can use to personalize customers’ experience with your business. You can use AI to create personalized automated emails for your customers. Personalization tools can also recommend products to customers based on past shopping experience and other factors. These kinds of tools can help customers feel more welcome in your online store.

Advanced Search Options

AI technology allows online store owners to offer highly personalized search results to customers. These tools pull up search results that are more relevant for customers based on their interests. Providing personalized search results with AI technology can encourage customers to keep coming back to your online store for repeat business.

Looking for the most dependable fulfillment warehouse to give your online store a boost? Contact Medallion Fulfillment and Logistics to learn more about how our services can help your business improve customer satisfaction.

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Shipping Issues Expected for Summer 2023

image concept of transportation.

Over the last few years, the global supply chain has been an indirect victim of the pandemic. Widespread shutdowns caused unprecedented interruptions in both consumer purchasing and availability of goods and materials.

Are there any lingering effects from this historic event? Our fulfillment company staff shares industry expert predictions about what to expect this summer.

Freight Rates

• During the pandemic, logistics costs rose sharply, which was one of the elements contributing to high inflation. Over the last year, ocean freight charges have declined, with some lanes back to pre-pandemic levels.

• Falling rates are attributed largely to a drop in consumer spending, which had risen over the last two years as importers enjoyed increased sales.

• Carrier alliances are in a period of flux, as seen with the pending split between Maersk and MSC. Some experts believe this may be the beginning of a rate war.

Despite these changes, experts caution that freight rates and shipping prices have not yet leveled off.

Shipping Demand and Inventory Volumes

• Consumer spending remains low, with more money being spent on services rather than goods.

• Job markets and wages continue to be strong. Whether this leads to growth in spending depends on consumer sentiment in the face of recent bank failures and rising interest rates.

• Shipping demand is beginning to creep back up as inventory levels are depleted. Import volumes saw monthly increases during spring, and this trend is expected to continue into July.

• Labor disputes involving Local 13 of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) may impact traffic at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports.

Streamline Operations With Our Fulfillment Company

Experts recommend partnering with a fulfillment warehouse to mitigate the effects of demand fluctuations and changes in shipping rates. Contact Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics for a solution to fit your specific needs.

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Can and Should Your Store Move to Free Shipping? What to Consider

Free Shipping Infographic

To offer free shipping or not to offer free shipping. That may not have been a concern in Shakespeare’s time, but today it’s an issue that all eCommerce companies have to consider. Our fulfillment company experts share some tips for making it work for your business.

1. Not everything has to ship for free.

Some products are just too heavy or too bulky to make free shipping a reasonable perk, and consumers understand this. Do a careful evaluation of your product lines and determine if any of them fall under this category.

2. Protect your margins.

How do you make money? Do you sell primarily high-ticket items, or do you earn on low-margin items with a high volume of repeat customers? The answer to this question will help guide you.

3. Leverage free shipping to boost customer loyalty.

Here are some successful methods that companies have used to link free shipping to other programs:

  • Provide free shipping on subscriptions, where products auto-ship at regular intervals.
  • Create a program that rewards loyal customers with free shipping. You could also take a page from Amazon and charge a nominal fee for a customer membership.
  • Offering free shipping on returns can tip the scales for shoppers who are buying items such as clothing and footwear.

4. Conduct testing.

Nothing has to be set in stone. Review your average orders and shipping costs, then check out what your competition is doing. Choose free shipping options that make the most sense for you and test them out to see which one(s) generate the best response.

A Fulfillment Company That Makes Shipping a Breeze

Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics has favorable relationships with UPS, FedEx and most common carriers. Contact us to learn how our full selection of services can be a valuable solution for your eCommerce company.

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The Future of eCommerce Fulfillment

eCommerce Fulfillment Company with Employee holding a Tablet.

Online retail has been on the rise over the past few years. Initially fueled by the pandemic, eCommerce has continued to grow as more consumers shift to shopping online. Partnering with a fulfillment warehouse and taking other steps can help businesses enjoy a thriving future in eCommerce.

Quick Delivery

Consumers expect to have their orders fulfilled, shipped, and delivered quickly. With major online retailers offering same-day or next-day shipping, it’s important for smaller retailers to be able to offer these options if possible. Being able to get customers’ goods to them in a short timeframe involves having a way to efficiently fulfill orders and ship merchandise. This can be difficult for smaller online retailers to handle all on their own, but solutions are available.

3PL Solutions

Relying on another company to fulfill orders and handle packing and shipping can help ensure prompt delivery. Online retailers should explore third-party logistics (3PL) solutions. These solutions allow retailers to shift order fulfillment, picking, packing, and shipping to a company that specializes in these logistics. Doing this helps free up time for online retailers to focus on other aspects of their business, such as marketing. Depending on 3PL solutions also helps lower the risk of having consumers experience delays in getting their merchandise.

Larger Warehouse Space

With more consumers shopping online, eCommerce businesses need to have the space available to stock merchandise. This helps ensure that products are readily available for customers to purchase. Fulfillment warehouses can provide online retailers with plenty of space for storing merchandise. This partnership allows eCommerce businesses to keep products available and ready to ship as quickly as possible.

If you’re looking for a reliable fulfillment warehouse to help your business meet its goals, contact Medallion Fulfillment and Logistics.

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Steps to Choosing The Right Fulfillment Partner for Your Business

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In both your personal and professional life, choosing the right partner is a serious decision with far-reaching effects. When you’re ready to pick a fulfillment company, follow these steps to make an informed choice.

1. Does the company meet your needs?

Most fulfillment companies, anxious to secure your business, will assure you that they can meet your needs, even without knowing what they are. Don’t take their word for it. Do some due diligence and ask questions that reveal the company’s capabilities and limitations:

  • Can they provide support across all your sales channels?
  • Is the company active within your industry?
  • Do they make use of the latest high-tech tools, or are they lagging behind the times?

2. Can the company scale along with you?

It’s inconvenient and disruptive (not in a good way!) when you have to find a new fulfillment service because your business has outgrown the capabilities of the current one. Look for a fulfillment partner that can scale with you over the long term, as well as during seasonal fluctuations.

3. Does the company offer a full range of shipping solutions?

Shipping can make or break an eCommerce company. Consumers have become accustomed to timely and cost-effective delivery. If you can’t provide it, they’ll turn to your competition.

4. What is the fulfillment company’s professional reputation?

It can be tempting to partner with a new and inexperienced fulfillment service that will eagerly promise you the moon. Don’t risk your own business by being a learning experience for another company. When a company has extensive experience and quality references, you can trust them to follow through on their commitments.

Your Top Choice for a Fulfillment Company

At Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics, your success is our success. Contact us today for more information.