Having retail fulfilment processes in place works to boost efficiency and deliver in line with customers’ expectations.
We take a look at the key stages of retail fulfilment and what you can do to make sure they are as productive as possible.
Four stages of retail fulfilment processes
These four stages of the fulfilment journey are key to providing excellent customer service with orders that arrive on time.
1. Receiving new inventory
When you order new products, there needs to be a system in place to receive and log these items. Every item must be stored initially, whether this is in storage bins, on pallets or shelves. They then need to be recorded, ideally into a digital system with documentation.
Inventory forecasting can help to understand the best times to re-stock as well as giving a more in-depth understanding of inventory requirements ahead of time.
2. Warehousing
Once inventory has been received and initially stored, it needs organising so it is ready to fulfil customer orders. Everything should be clearly labelled and easily accessible.
This one of the retail fulfilment processes also involves monitoring stock levels to prevent running out of items before they are replenished.
3. Picking and packing
Once an order is placed, a picking list is given to those in the warehouse, highlighting the individual components required for that order. These are then packed into the appropriate packaging, ready to be shipped.
To streamline picking and packing, make sure the right types of packaging are readily available for all sizes and types of product.
4. Shipping
The final stage of retail fulfilment processes is to ship the items. This means sending them out for delivery. It is key to make sure the order arrives on or before the estimated delivery date, to avoid dissatisfied customers.
Smaller retailers may opt to post items individually, while others often look to ship through specific courier or delivery services.
While all of these steps can be carried out in-house, they can also be outsourced, helping to ease workload while tapping into 3PL companies’ contacts and expertise.
This post first featured in the Modern Retail Guide to Fulfilment.
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Holly brings a wealth of experience in both print and digital publishing. As Modern Retail’s Content Editor, Holly is passionate about helping independent retailers to thrive in today’s ever-changing market.
