Warehouse management is a fundamental part of e-commerce operations. Many online retailers realise after a while that handling the logistics themselves becomes too much of a burden. The question then arises - is it worth outsourcing logistics to an external operator? InPost Fulfillment comprehensively addresses these needs. But when is the best time to change your storage model? We suggest.
What are the key signals that it is time to change the storage model?
A sudden increase in orders is every retailer's dream, but thus also a considerable logistical challenge. If the handling of consignments becomes increasingly difficult and lead times increase, this is a sign that the current operating model may not be sufficient .
Seasonal spikes in sales often result in chaos in the warehouse . Lack of space for products, staff shortages and extended packing times are just some of the problems retailers face. Outsourcing logistics avoids all this, as it provides unfettered flexibility regardless of seasonal needs.
High operating costs often become a brake on growth. Maintaining the warehouse, employing staff and purchasing packaging materials, generates fixed expenses and this is independent of the level of sales. Model fulfillment turns fixed costs into variable costs , thereby giving you more control over your finances.
Problems with returns are another signal that it is time for a change. If the number of returns is increasing and they are taking more and more time to handle, the operational fluidity of the entire company is bound to be affected. InPost Fulfillment handles all returns as standard , relieving the seller of this burden.
InPost Fulfillment - when is it worth choosing to outsource logistics?
Switching to the InPost Fulfillment service is particularly beneficial for companies that want to focus on sales and marketing instead of logistics. The retailer can therefore devote its time to other issues, such as product range development and business strategy.
The great advantage of InPost Fulfillment is its access to modern infrastructure . The warehouses operating under this service cover 100,000 m² of Class A space and are located at a strategic point in the country. They also connect directly to the sorting plant for rapid order processing .
If a company wants to offer express delivery, the offer from InPost is second to none. Orders placed by 20:00 are dispatched the same day . Gemius E-commerce in Poland 2024 Report [1] clearly shows that as many as 91% of those surveyed want to receive their purchased products within 12 hours. Nothing, therefore, increases customer satisfaction as much as a package received quickly.
Outsourcing logistics is also a way to optimise costs. Thanks to economies of scale, InPost can offer attractive rates for packaging and shipping. Businesses can take advantage of preferential delivery conditions via Parcel Machine® and courier as part of this service.
How do you prepare your company to implement Fulfillment?
Before implementing fulfillment identify processes that need to be optimised . It may be a good idea to analyse your existing warehousing, packaging and shipping costs and see which areas are generating the most problems.
The next step is the integration of IT systems. The cooperation with InPost Fulfillment is based on the ongoing synchronisation of order and stock data. Thanks to this logistics processes will run automatically and the trader will gain full information and control over the flow of goods.
It is also worth specifying packaging standards for orders so that they meet customer expectations and are in line with brand policy. InPost Fulfillment offers personalisation of packages and additional services such as labelling and attaching advertising material.
It is also necessary to plan the flow of goods . To this end, the delivery of products to the InPost warehouse should be prepared in a way that allows the goods to be taken into stock quickly and efficiently. It is worth developing one simple delivery scheme to avoid downtime.
The final step is to educate the team. Although fulfilment takes over most of the logistics processes, the company still needs to monitor order fulfilment and replenish stock. It is therefore worth training employees on how to use the new system. Good preparation of the team is an easy way to smoothly implement fulfillment and avoiding problems in the initial phase of cooperation .
The decision to transfer logistics to InPost Fulfillment is an important step that can significantly improve the operation of the online shop . Proper preparation allows for a smooth implementation of the new model. Check out the details of the InPost Fulfillment service and see how it can help you grow your business!
[1] Gemius. Raport E-commerce 2024 . 2024; available at: https://gemius.com/documents/66/RAPORT_E-COMMERCE_2024.pdf
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