In the ever-evolving retail landscape, shipping has never been more connected to overall customer satisfaction. Consumers expect nothing less than a seamless, affordable, and fast delivery experience. In fact, 62% of shoppers expect their orders to arrive in less than three business days, even when offered free shipping.
With purchasing decisions becoming increasingly dependent on shipping to retailers, businesses must find ways to successfully navigate the intricacies of customer expectations, cost considerations, and logistical feasibility. So, how can you keep customers happy without shipping costs eating away at your bottom line?
Let’s delve into the best practices for shipping to retailers that’ll elevate your brand in the eyes of your target audience.
A Customer-Centric Shipping Strategy
Revamping your current shipping strategy? Your strategy for shipping to retailers can profoundly impact your company’s ability to drive customer loyalty and retention. Striking the right balance in the shipping options you offer is paramount; inundating customers with every conceivable option can deter people from making a purchase.
The sweet spot lies in providing a streamlined selection that enhances, rather than overwhelms, their shopping experience. Before deciding on options for shipping to retailers, ask yourself the following:
- What do our customers expect? Understanding your target customers—their wants, needs, concerns, etc.—can help you tailor your strategy for shipping to retailers. What is their definition of an enticing offer? You may not be able to compete with the Amazon’s of the world and offer same-day shipping, but you can still create a positive customer experience via two-day shipping, overnight shipping, or free local pickup.
- What are our goals for shipping to retailers? Are you interested in finding the most cost-conscious strategy? Are you willing to foot a higher price tag to potentially expand your consumer base? Many brands weave their strategy for shipping to retailers into their marketing—leveraging it as an added value and competitive advantage.
- What are our competitors offering? Conducting competitive research can help you gauge what’s being offered in your market. It can also help inform your strategy for shipping to retailers, as you can identify gaps and craft new ways to entice customers to choose your brand over competitors.
Shipping to Retailers: Best Practices
Offering fast, affordable shipping to retailers can feel like navigating a tricky obstacle course. Many companies face challenges surrounding high delivery costs and less-than-ideal return on investment. However, by implementing the following strategies, your business can pivot and thrive when it comes to shipping and fulfillment.
The 3PL Advantage: Outsourcing Fulfillment
In the world of online shopping, where more than 70% of shoppers decide on their shipping preference pre-checkout and nearly 60% choose products based on their preferred shipping method, businesses mustn't overlook the crucial role of logistics. Ultimately, your customer experience is directly tied to the efficacy of your entire fulfillment process. While speedy shipping is undeniably crucial, order accuracy and tracking visibility are equally important.
Providing quick or free shipping poses a significant challenge for businesses handling logistics internally. Without the support of multiple warehousing facilities in key markets, you’ll face costly last-mile delivery costs when shipping to retailers. Enter the game-changer: partnering with a third party logistics (3PL) provider.
By aligning with a 3PL, you can access their extensive carrier network, unlocking more economical shipping rates. The negotiation power of 3PL providers, thanks to the high volume of goods they handle, translates into special rates that benefit your bottom line. Furthermore, a 3PL logistics partner with a nationwide footprint provides flexibility in inventory storage and distribution, effectively slashing last-mile delivery times and reducing the overall cost of shipping to retailers.
Streamline Inventory Management via Automation
Enhancing shipping efficiency hinges on effective inventory management. An integrated inventory management system is paramount when shipping to retailers, providing real-time stock visibility across all locations.
Inaccuracies in stock records can seriously damage your company’s reputation and profitability. By leveraging automation for shipping to retailers, you’ll minimize transaction error rates, streamline the picking/packing process, and ensure reliable product delivery—which is the best way to garner customer loyalty and repeat purchases. In short, your inventory management system is at the epicenter of your ability to speed up fulfillment, save time, and decrease the cost of shipping to retailers.
Easy Returns, Happy Customers
As your business scales, returns are unavoidable. Returns are not necessarily a bad thing, however, as they provide an opportunity to offer dissatisfied customers a better experience and collect valuable feedback. When shipping to retailers, customers are more likely to make future purchases if the return process is simple and headache-free. Implementing a strong return management strategy, with the help of a 3PL, is an effective way to protect your profit margins and ensure you uphold your brand promises.
Elevate Your Business with Strategic Shipping to Retailers
Quick, reliable, and affordable shipping to retailers isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must. The success of your business, and your ability to maintain a competitive presence in the marketplace, depends on it. By partnering with a 3PL like Smart Warehousing, you can explore your options for shipping to retailers and devise a strategy that fits both your goals and your customers’ needs. To learn more about how the Smart Warehousing team can help transform your logistics strategy, contact us today.