.svg)
Let’s stay in touch with the ShipHero Blog.
.png)
.webp)
Picture a packer at Peak Season. A box is in front of them, a product in each hand, and somewhere on a cluttered desk there's a mouse they need to find to confirm the order. They look down. They hunt. They click. Then they do it again. Thousands of times a day.
That moment of friction is small. But it is never just one moment. Multiply it across your entire pack line, across an entire shift, and you are looking at a measurable and largely invisible drag on your total throughput.
Tap-to-Pack is a purpose-built hardware controller designed by ShipHero to eliminate digital friction at the packing station. It connects via USB-C, requires no drivers or additional software, and syncs automatically with the ShipHero WMS packing app. This new system is now available at the ShipHero Store.
Instead of navigating a screen with a keyboard and mouse, packers execute every high-frequency command — such as selecting box sizes, printing labels, finalizing orders, flagging exceptions — with a single physical tap on one of eight programmable buttons.
Key specifications:
Most warehouses are running 2026 operations on 1990s peripheral standards. The keyboard and mouse were designed for spreadsheets and emails, not high-volume fulfillment. When used at a packing station, they create three compounding problems:
The problem is not your people. It is the tools you are asking them to use.
Tap-to-Pack introduces a "Rodent-Free" packing standard: a workflow where the packer's hands stay on the product, their eyes stay on the work, and the software fades into the background.
The device guides the packer through two feedback systems:
ShipHero customers running Tap-to-Pack are already seeing a 90% reduction in on-screen interactions and a significant increase in the number of orders packed per hour, without adding headcount or changing their warehouse layout.
One of the hardest challenges in fulfillment is absorbing volume quickly, especially during Peak Season, when temporary staff need to reach target productivity fast.
Because Tap-to-Pack's interface is physical and intuitive, there is almost nothing to teach. Pick up the product, follow the light, tap the button. New packers can reach target productivity in minutes rather than hours.
The system is also modular:
Whether you are a growing DTC brand or a high-volume 3PL, Tap-to-Pack is designed so your hardware never becomes a ceiling on what your team can do.
Tap-to-Pack is a programmable, industrial-grade hardware controller that connects to the ShipHero WMS and allows warehouse packers to execute packing station commands, such as printing labels, selecting boxes, and completing orders. All with a single physical button press, eliminating the need for a keyboard and mouse.
The device connects via USB-C and syncs automatically with the ShipHero WMS packing app. It is a true plug-and-play solution: no drivers, no background software, and no manual configuration required.
Yes. Buttons are configurable for a range of packing actions, including Print Label, Complete Order, Select Box Size, and the Hospital function, which flags a problematic order and keeps the line moving without stopping to resolve it on screen.
The system is fully modular. Connect up to two additional 8-button hubs to the Main Hub for a total of 24 programmable buttons, supporting even the most complex multi-step packing workflows.
Tap-to-Pack devices require ShipHero Packing App v1.0 or higher. The current release is v1.1.0.
Imagine running a warehouse where orders are picked quickly, inventory is accurate, and all operations run smoothly without any errors or delays. Thanks to Artificial Intelligence, this can now become a reality with ease.
AI is transforming warehouse management by enhancing efficiency, intelligence, and the ability to meet the rapid demands of today’s eCommerce-driven market.
ShipHero is pioneering this revolution with its AI-powered warehouse solutions, setting new industry benchmarks. This article explores ShipHero’s AI Picking feature, highlighting how it’s transforming warehouse management and enhancing operational efficiency.
The integration of AI technologies, including machine learning, robotics, and predictive analytics, is revolutionizing warehouse operations, driving significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance. These innovations are optimizing processes across various areas, from inventory management to order fulfillment. Below are the key benefits of AI in warehouse management.
A combination of AI technologies is shaping smarter warehouse systems to help revolutionize warehouse management.
ShipHero has taken AI integration to the next level with its AI Picking feature, designed to significantly improve warehouse efficiency. This feature automates the picking process, reducing the reliance on manual labor and enhancing productivity in ways that were once thought impossible.
Let’s dive deeper into how ShipHero’s AI Picking works and the advantages it offers.
AI Picking optimizes warehouse operations in two key ways:
The AI Picking feature delivers a wide range of benefits:
The transformative power of AI extends far beyond just picking. AI is also revolutionizing other aspects of warehouse management, driving improvements in operational efficiency, inventory management, and safety.
AI automates tasks, reducing errors and increasing speed. Automated sorting and real-time inventory tracking ensure accuracy, while real-time monitoring helps managers adapt and ensure timely deliveries.
AI plays a vital role in maintaining accurate inventory levels. By leveraging predictive analytics, AI can forecast demand and optimize stock levels, helping warehouses avoid both stockouts and overstock situations. This leads to better inventory management and fewer disruptions in supply chains.
AI-driven systems can monitor warehouse conditions to ensure safety and compliance with industry regulations. These systems can analyze warehouse data and predict potential hazards before they occur, proactively reducing risks and ensuring a safer working environment.
AI technologies are playing a transformative role in the supply chain and logistics sectors by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing decision-making.
These intelligent systems effortlessly manage supply chain processes by using data to optimize operations, predict trends, and automate routine tasks. This ultimately reshapes everything, from how goods are moved to stored and delivered.
The future of warehouse management looks promising with greater automation and efficiency, but future warehouse digitization brings challenges, such as high upfront costs and the need for skilled personnel.
AI-powered drones, autonomous robots, and IoT integration are smart warehouse technologies that are revolutionizing warehouse operations. Drones will deliver goods quickly, while robots automate sorting and transportation, thereby reducing the need for manual labor.
IoT and AI integration will enable real-time monitoring and optimization of operations. Smart technology in warehouses is leading to fully automated systems that are faster, scalable, and need minimal human input.
While AI offers immense benefits, businesses must also consider certain challenges. High initial investments in AI technology, data security concerns, and the need for skilled personnel are just a few of the hurdles that must be addressed.
However, with a strategic approach, companies can eliminate the challenges and embrace AI’s full potential to boost accuracy in picking and improve overall warehouse operations.
AI minimizes error by automating tasks like inventory tracking, order picking, and sorting, ensuring greater accuracy and efficiency.
Yes, AI-driven predictive analytics can predict demand, track inventory levels, and improve supply chain efficiency by forecasting needs with greater accuracy to help businesses stay ahead of trends and market fluctuations.
AI solutions are becoming more cost-effective thanks to cloud-based services and subscription pricing models. These options make AI technology more accessible to small businesses, allowing them to take advantage of its benefits without large upfront costs.
When pallets roll in and loading docks buzz, your warehouse’s receiving process becomes the gatekeeper of inventory accuracy. And if that gate isn’t well-guarded with structure, speed, and oversight, errors slip in.
A mislabeled item here, a damaged shipment there, and suddenly your warehouse faces stock discrepancies, late order fulfillment, or even lost customers.
A warehouse receiving process checklist streamlines receiving operations and ensures compliance across teams, regardless of who’s on shift.
A warehouse receiving process checklist ensures every shipment that enters your facility is properly documented, inspected, and integrated into your inventory system.
Unlike ad hoc or verbal processes, this structured document verifies product condition upon arrival, checks against purchase orders to confirm accuracy, and documents all inspections for future reference.
However, ShipHero’s digital platform already seamlessly integrates this checklist into your system, automating the tracking of goods from the moment they arrive.
Because it captures critical shipment details, a receiving checklist can double as a warehouse audit checklist sample, especially when preparing for performance reviews or inventory audits.
If you’re looking for ways to improve accuracy and accountability, learning how to audit your warehouse with a structured receiving checklist is a great place to start.
A well-structured warehouse receiving process checklist is crucial for ensuring accurate and efficient inventory management. Including the mentioned key components helps streamline the process, reduces errors, and enhances overall warehouse performance.
Here’s what you must include in your checklist to maintain control and accountability:
This anchors the entire inspection. By referencing the purchase order (PO) number, warehouse teams can verify the received goods against the original order, ensuring the correct items and quantities are delivered.
Having the supplier’s full details improves accountability. If there’s a delivery issue, this info helps your team evaluate supplier performance and speed up resolution.
Timestamping each delivery helps you review delivery schedules, track shipment delays, and identify potential gaps in receiving coverage.
Here, staff will assess damage or discrepancies, confirm specifications (e.g., size, color), take photos if needed, and record all inspections in case of claims or audits. An effective inventory audit checklist incorporates these inspection protocols to ensure accuracy from the moment goods arrive.
Listing the material name (e.g., product name, SKU, or description) prevents mix-ups during inventory allocation and ensures all items are accounted for. This also helps your Warehouse Management System (WMS) update stock records correctly.
Identifying who delivered and who received the shipment establishes accountability, helps resolve disputes over damaged or missing items, and ensures proper handoff records.
Maintaining proper documentation, such as packing slips, invoices, and bills of lading, facilitates order reconciliation and supports formal audits and record keeping.
A single receiving error often ripples through the entire warehouse. A structured receiving checklist breaks this cycle by establishing clear protocols that coordinate with supply chain operations and create accountability at every step. It drives big improvements in:
This plays out in real operations. A mid-sized clothing retailer had ongoing issues with stock discrepancies during receipt. However, implementing a standardized receiving checklist significantly reduced the number of missing items and stock inaccuracies.
Employees also appreciated having clear instructions to follow, which reduced confusion and helped maintain a smoother workflow during peak delivery periods.
Before drafting your checklist, take a closer look at your existing receiving workflow. Next, identify any inefficiencies and pinpoint areas that could benefit from more structure and consistency.
Choose the data points you’ll need based on your warehouse flow, system integration, and team size. Include only what’s necessary to document key handoff moments.
You can go with paper, but digital formats (via tablets or mobile apps) are easier to scale. Software-based checklists can instantly update records and integrate with your WMS.
Use inventory management platforms or cloud-based tools to build your checklist. For example, ShipHero’s template system allows you to configure fields, set mandatory requirements, and establish workflow rules that guide staff through the receiving process. This makes sure every receiving action is consistent and auditable.
Train staff to make sure every team member follows standardized procedures. This minimizes human error, especially for new or seasonal workers.
Roll out the checklist during a test period. Assign clear roles (e.g., receiver, inspector), gather feedback, and then launch warehouse-wide. Revisit and refine it quarterly to keep up with operational changes.
Your warehouse receiving checklist works even better when paired with these best practices:
Spacing out deliveries helps reduce bottlenecks and allows teams sufficient time to track inventory levels accurately. It also allows for more accurate inspections.
Keep receiving areas clutter-free and near the entrance. This shortens the time it takes to organize storage locations after goods are received.
Invest in equipment such as barcode scanners, conveyors, or forklifts to speed up receiving operations, especially during peak seasons.
Don’t let broken items enter inventory. Flag them, document the issue, and notify procurement so the issue can be escalated quickly.
By leveraging real-time inventory tracking and barcode scanning, you can eliminate the need for manual checklists, ensuring that every received item is accurately logged. ShipHero automates the entire receiving workflow, reducing human errors and speeding up the process.
Customizable receiving workflows allow you to tailor the system to your warehouse’s specific needs, eliminating the need for paper-based checklists. Improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency, all with ShipHero’s advanced automation tools.
At least annually, or anytime your business introduces a new product line, supplier, or technology upgrades.
Absolutely. Cross-training builds flexibility, enabling teams to cover for absences and maintain efficiency even during peak periods or periods of high turnover.
One missed check can cost you thousands of dollars. You may have a damaged pallet, a missing fire extinguisher, or a skipped safety step that can put your team at risk.
Warehouse daily checklists serve as a pilot’s pre-flight checklist. Before takeoff, every switch, lever, and system is checked. Why? Because skipping one step can lead to serious problems. The same goes for your warehouse.
Without a solid checklist, you risk delays, missed shipments, or worse, accidents and safety violations. A checklist ensures your team follows the right procedures and nothing falls through the cracks.
Here’s everything you need to include in a warehouse daily checklist, its definition, and templates you could use to get started fast.
A warehouse daily checklist is a structured form that helps warehouse staff systematically inspect, verify, and record essential tasks on a daily basis. It covers all the daily to-dos that keep your warehouse operations running smoothly and safely, such as inventory tracking and forklift inspections.
The warehousing and storage industry reported an injury rate of 4.8 per 100 full-time workers, nearly double the national average of 2.7. Following a daily warehouse checklist ensures the right procedures and safety protocols are followed and nothing important gets missed.
A great warehouse daily checklist supports the safety of your warehouse, reduces errors, and keeps your workflow on point. Here’s how to make a checklist that your warehouse workers will actually use and benefit from.
Every component of your checklist ensures your facility, staff, and inventory remain safe, compliant, and productive.
Common components include:
Instructions should be clear and structured to help your team move through inspections efficiently and consistently.
Your daily warehouse checklist doesn’t have to be very detailed and complicated. It needs to be thorough, practical, and easy to follow.
Here’s how to build a great one:
When your checklist comprehensively details the tasks in a concise manner, it becomes a tool that delivers massive impact. This ensures your warehouse operations run smoothly, safely, and efficiently.
Ready to skip the setup and just get started? Feel free to copy our Warehouse Daily Checklist Template to your Google Docs or Microsoft Word document. It’s accessible, user-friendly, and 100% customizable to your needs.
Simply plug in your specific details, and you’re set. It’s built to save time, support compliance, and help you manage your daily workflow like a pro.
ShipHero’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) boosts warehouse efficiency by automating key processes like inventory tracking, order picking, and shipping. By streamlining these workflows, it reduces manual labor, minimizing errors and delays.
The system’s real-time data updates allow staff to make quick, informed decisions, improving overall productivity. Customizable features enable businesses to adapt ShipHero to their specific operational needs, further enhancing efficiency. With ShipHero, warehouses can achieve faster turnaround times, reduced costs, and improved accuracy.
Review a warehouse daily checklist, weekly, or monthly to maintain accuracy and relevance. Frequent reviews help align the checklist with workflow changes, new safety protocols, or operational updates.
Yes, you can customize a warehouse daily checklist template. Most templates are designed to be modified based on team size, warehouse layout, and operational goals. Customization improves relevance and usability across different warehouse environments.
Yes, basic instruction and simple training on how to use the checklist ensure employees understand how to follow the checklist, report issues, and meet safety or performance standards. Training improves consistency and accountability across shifts.
Proactive inventory management is a vital part of running a successful eCommerce business. While managing inventory can be challenging, using a proactive rather than a reactive approach to inventory management may help to prevent problems such as inventory shortages, concerns about storage space and delayed fulfillment of orders.
When inventory isn’t effectively managed, clients may end up dissatisfied over out-of-stock items and the reputation of your company may be damaged. The best practice in inventory management is to be as proactive as possible.
Inventory control is the process of managing inventory levels in the warehouse and other locations. An effective inventory control system monitors the movement and storage of items and can help with forecasting and reordering.
Effectively controlling inventory requires knowing what’s in stock and where it’s located while keeping items in inventory organized and in good condition.Effective inventory management depends on knowing when to reorder products and how much to order to ensure that the right amount of inventory is on hand at the right location. To improve inventory control practices, start with collecting data on practices that involve your inventory from initial orders to shipping and receiving to restocking.
A good place to start working to identify inventory control problems is by reviewing past trends, particularly times when there was a problem with the amount of inventory on hand. Have you been scrambling to fill orders because of insufficient inventory? Or is unwanted inventory taking up valuable warehouse space?
Inventory that’s held too long has an increased risk of damage and keeping too much inventory ties up capital that could better be used elsewhere. All aspects of your stock must be tracked and managed, which includes tracking the quality of stock you receive from suppliers. How often is merchandise returned because it’s defective or broken?
Small businesses may use a spreadsheet as a manual inventory control technique but using manual processes to control inventory can be labor intensive and increases the risk of human error. Continuous advances in technology make stock management much simpler than it used to be, and automated systems can keep track of stock levels and can easily provide an accurate picture of inventory at multiple locations.
Review your current processes and identify tasks that can be automated. Stock management using automated systems and processes starts by assigning a unique identifier for each item known as an SKU (stock keeping unit). These unique identifiers make it easy to determine where the item is located and whether demand is higher for certain items or certain colors. Fast-moving and in-demand items are easily identified and time isn’t wasted trying to locate specific items.
Inventory control software makes it easier to be proactive about tracking inventory as well as keeping track of packing and shipping information. Inventory costs can be kept under better control by using real-time updates on stock movements so that stock levels can be monitored automatically and alerts can be provided when stock is low and needs to be replenished.
Real-time tracking provides up-to-date information that can guide your business decisions. Leveraging the information provided by real-time metrics provides performance information that can help you stay ahead of your competitors.
Look for ways to categorize your inventory based on demand. Are some items seasonal or in demand only at certain times? Your inventory can be categorized by groups such as profit margin and cost of storing it.
Collect data from all areas of operation, which includes shipping and receiving along with inventory being held on hand. Review the methods you’re currently using to categorize inventory and how effectively it’s working to meet demand. A good way to be proactive is to gain a clear understanding of the entire supply chain such as shipping times and results you can expect from receiving and shipping items. Consider errors that have been made and what changes could be made to reduce the possibility of making a similar mistake.
Having a proactive inventory management system in place means utilizing available technology and continually working to improve inventory control practices. Manual processes and outdated software can slow the growth of your business and lead to costly errors.
There are many factors involved in identifying and maintaining optimal stock levels. Understocking and overstocking both need to be avoided. Setting minimal stock levels can help prevent running out of items. Track items regularly to identify what’s highest and lowest in demand.
Proactive inventory management includes ensuring that inventory records are accurate. Plan on performing regular audits to identify inaccuracies, theft or damaged items. An inventory audit provides detailed information on the value of your inventory and can help to optimize inventory control and contribute to a more proactive way of managing inventory.
To find out more about ShipHero's fully outsourced fulfillment solution, talk to one of our Fulfillment Experts today.
Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting with Our Sales Team.
About ShipHero
ShipHero is a US-based, leading solution provider in the fast growing eCommerce fulfillment space. ShipHero served over $5 billion of eCommerce orders in 2020 and is growing rapidly. ShipHero provides warehouse management software for brands that operate their own warehouses as well as outsourced fulfillment as a service from ShipHero owned and operated North American warehouses. Some notable customers include Universal Music Group, Glossier and Canadian Tire. ShipHero is a Shopify Plus partner and more than 10% of Shopify Plus stores globally use ShipHero.
.svg)
Periodically conducting an inventory audit is an important part of effectively managing an eCommerce business. During an inventory audit, financial records are double-checked against inventory records which is a good way to make sure records are accurate. This may uncover possible issues such as damaged or missing items.An eCommerce business may perform an inventory audit at any time to check inventory on hand in order to get a better idea of where things stand. Businesses may choose to audit all or part of their inventory periodically. Regular inventory audits can help prevent inventory shrinkage and can identify issues such as SKUs that are consistently off.
An inventory audit should be done at least annually. An inventory auditor may engage in a variety of inventory audit procedures to confirm that the amount stated as inventory is accurate. An annual audit may be done each year for tax purposes or it may be done to get a clear idea of what products are on hand and when they need to be restocked. An inventory auditor may be someone on staff or a third party from an outside auditing company.
To describe methods used to verify inventory, it’s a good idea to start with your inventory audit objectives. Every inventory audit includes counts of inventory and data analysis and is a way to check inventory to ensure it matches the information within your automation system. Examples of methods that may be used to verify inventory include:
This method involves counting all items in stock, which may be time-consuming. To obtain accurate results from this method, you’ll need to pause the actions of your business while the count takes place. Cutoff testing ensures that nothing goes in or out of the storage areas while the inventory audit is done. This means operations such as shipping and receiving are paused.
Using this method, you cycle through part of your inventory based on SKU. Selected products are audited each cycle rather than auditing the entire inventory at once. One way to divide inventory for partial auditing is by using ABC analysis. This means grouping items by value such as “A” products are high-value items, “B” products are mid-tier and category “C” consists of the lowest value products. ShipHero has a cycle count feature that makes it super easy to execute this inventory method. Check out this video to find out more.
Another approach is to periodically do a physical inventory of just a few items. Regular spot checks may make it unnecessary to do an audit of your entire inventory very often which may be the best option for large companies with a large number of items in stock.A partial inventory count may be done periodically to make sure items counted match inventory records, and if they don’t match, a full audit may be done. An eCommerce business must consider not only stock that’s on shelves but also stock that’s in transit to and from the fulfillment center.
Accurately tracking the value of your inventory helps you to budget for future inventory decisions. Auditing inventory can be time-consuming but devices like barcode scanners can help track inventory electronically. Point-of-sale tracking using SKUs allows for real-time tracking of inventory balances keeping inventory counts up to date and providing important information on what stock needs to be replenished.Warehouse audit best practices include auditing items in the warehouse and reviewing the effectiveness of warehouse processes. This includes determining whether warehouse operations are complying with safety standards and policies. Having two people count each item and checking that their numbers match is a good way to improve accuracy.
Once an inventory audit is completed, an inventory findings report is done to provide detailed information on the value of your inventory which offers clarity on inventory accounting. This report can identify operational errors, help identify any inefficiencies in current inventory procedures and provides information needed to make budgeting decisions such as deciding whether to discontinue certain items that may have a surplus or it can provide insights into where funds could be redirected. Routine inventory audits provide one of the best ways to optimize inventory control.
If your eCommerce business is small, you may think inventory audits aren’t yet needed, but audits can be beneficial whether your business is large or small. Performing regular inventory checks helps you implement good inventory management practices that will continue to benefit your company as it grows.When you’re running an eCommerce business, effective inventory management helps you to have a handle on the size and condition of your inventory. Regular audits enable you to make sure that you have what you think you have in stock, and that you have enough inventory without having too much. When you know exactly what’s in stock and where it is, your business will run more smoothly and efficiently for your staff so that they can better serve your clients.
Whether you want to let go of running your own warehouse, or run your warehouse better, you can do both – and so much more – with ShipHero.Click HERE to Schedule a Meeting with Our Sales Team. About ShipHeroShipHero is a US-based, leading solution provider in the fast growing eCommerce fulfillment space. ShipHero served over $5 billion of eCommerce orders in 2020 and is growing rapidly. ShipHero provides warehouse management software for brands that operate their own warehouses as well as outsourced fulfillment as a service from ShipHero owned and operated North American warehouses. Some notable customers include Universal Music Group, Glossier and Canadian Tire. ShipHero is a Shopify Plus partner and more than 10% of Shopify Plus stores globally use ShipHero.Follow us today on Twitter and LinkedIn.
At ShipHero, we are thrilled to work with some awesome brands that make and sell awesome products. We’ve rounded up a handful of our favorites to highlight for this holiday season. Read on and make your shopping list with some of the hottest gifts on the market this year from the most interesting brands.
Bushbalm is the skincare everywhere brand, focusing on ingrown hairs, razor burn, and more.
The Francesca Pubic Hair Trimmer was designed with comfort in mind, making it easy to use whether you trim, groom, or remove your body hair. It's conveniently waterproof and features a strong 6000 RPM motor, up to 5 hours of battery life, as well as a USB cord for recharging. The pre-wax and shaving guard gives you the optimal height for trimming anywhere hair grows on your body. Think bikini line, legs, underarms, and neck.
Introducing Guest In Residence, a 100% cashmere knitwear brand envisioned by Creative Director Gigi Hadid.
Unisex oversized crew tee has a unisex fit to Men's sizing, Women should size down for a less oversized fit. 100% Cashmere - Light-weight knit. Premium cashmere sourced from inner Mongolia, manufactured in China.
Miribel Naturals is a natural, vegan, cruelty-free curly hair product brand. We focus on your hair health, rather than texture, so you can rock your natural born waves, curls, and coils.
If you’re a curly girl whose hair has seen better days, our Powerhouse Protein Cream is here to bring it back to life!
Add it to your line-up to restore strength and bounce to your hair with naturally sourced proteins. Reshape and condition your hair without ever weighing it so you can experience the true power of big bouncy, beautiful curls.
ONDO socks use innovative fabrics traceable from seed to sewn, made with the highest-quality craftsmanship and committed to ethical manufacturing from suppliers with proven track records.
Made from a unique blend of certified organic cotton and innovative 'aerolight'™ fiber, our Organic Cotton No Show Socks are too good to show off. Literally. Comfortable yet low-cut to sit undetected, they're the perfect union of fashion and function. ONDOs are available in five different sizes and offer unforgettable style for the discerning eye.
schleich® has over 300 toys in their assortment! A schleich® toy in a child‘s hand is an invitation into stories still unwritten. And we can‘t wait to hear the stories you‘ll tell!
Yaaaaaawn! Wake up, sleepy head! While you've been snoozing in the loft, other equestrians at Lakeside Riding Center have been getting time in the saddle. Shimmy down the ladder and hurry to the stalls, where your horse is nibbling hay and waiting patiently. Ooooh, maybe after practicing your saddle gait you could take a trail ride to the Rider Café (playset sold separately) for a slice of fresh-baked apple pie! It's gonna be a full day at Lakeside!
Create sparkling water experiences in the comfort of your own home. By transforming ordinary water into fresh sparkling beverages with the push of a button, SodaStream supports you to make better choices for yourself, your loved ones, and the planet.
Sleek, sophisticated design with stainless steel accents that suits any kitchen. The carbonating lever and empowering new design makes it easy and fun to make fresh sparkling drinks more often with SodaStream Art. Featuring a dishwasher safe bottle and new Quick Connect technology for fast and easy CO2 cylinder insertion.
We are Wondery! The outdoors are made for everyone. Our goal is to represent the vast diversity of woman identifying and non-binary individuals in our products, marketing, branding, advertising, events, and internally within our company.
Where have you traveled to? Our official Wondery Parks of the USA Bucket List Water Bottle keeps track of all your adventures and helps you stay hydrated.
We've designed unique depictions of your favorite parks in a beautiful laser engraving, along with vibrant corresponding weatherproof vinyl stickers that will be sure to strike conversation on the trail, at work, or in the classroom. What better to commemorate your journeys than crossing parks off your bucket list?
Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or the perfect gift card, the time to start your holiday shopping is now! ShipHero is proud to work with these clients. Our Warehouse Management Software and Fulfillment Solution make it easier for eCommerce brands like these to ship eCommerce. We hope this list gives you a great jumpstart to your shopping this year.
Whether you want to let go of running your own warehouse, or run your warehouse better, you can do both – and so much more – with ShipHero.
About ShipHero
ShipHero is a US-based, leading solution provider in the fast growing eCommerce fulfillment space. ShipHero served over $5 billion of eCommerce orders in 2020 and is growing rapidly. ShipHero provides warehouse management software for brands that operate their own warehouses as well as outsourced fulfillment as a service from ShipHero owned and operated North American warehouses. Some notable customers include Universal Music Group, Glossier and Canadian Tire. ShipHero is a Shopify Plus partner and more than 10% of Shopify Plus stores globally use ShipHero.
When was the last time you took a close look at your supply chain? If it’s been awhile, you might be costing your business money, as research shows that companies with optimized supply chains spend 15 percent less on related costs. Recognizing that supply chains play a key role in helping companies run smoothly, savvy owners and managers go above and beyond to provide on time delivery of products. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages and disruptions have proven to be the new normal of supply chains. If you want to stay competitive, it’s crucial to keep abreast of the latest customer spending habits and supply train trends while taking advantage of available tools and technologies.
The forecast for supply chain disruptions in 2022 may seem less dismal than it did in 2020 and 2021. While the country has yet to recover completely from the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation remains at a record high, both consumer spending and employment levels are on the rise. Moreover, companies are no longer facing the pandemic-led supply shortages seen in the last two years. Still, experts anticipate that a new problem may arise in the form of softening consumer demand. As the need for new merchandise drops, businesses may see economic growth slow while inventory piles up in warehouses. In particular, customers may be shifting their spending away from products and toward services, a trend that could pose a problem for a large sector of the business world. Supply chain issues could also be impacted by the Great Resignation, which is seeing workers abandon their jobs in record numbers. Overall 48 million employees quit their jobs in 2021, with another 8.6 million leaving in the first two months of 2022 alone. The issue is particularly prevalent among workers in supply chain-related fields. If you rely on shipping, transportation or warehouse workers to get your products to market, it’s likely you’ll continue to see disruptions in the coming months.
The good news is that companies are getting better at forecasting potential supply chain issues and adjusting their policies accordingly. Here are some ways to navigate US supply chain disruptions to keep your business competitive.
Flexibility is key when it comes to surviving the ups and downs of the supply chain. One of the ways companies can manage supply chain disruptions in 2022 is to adopt elastic logistics practices. The ability to scale operations and resources depending on demand and shortages, elastic logistics is key to surviving the market fluctuations common post COVID. By incorporating new technologies, companies can better manage a range of issues from overstocking to route optimization.
AI is one of the best solutions to the current supply chain issues. In particular, businesses can utilize predictive analysis tools to improve both visibility and operations. Research shows that more than half of businesses would like more supply chain visibility. Along with providing more transparency, artificial intelligence can help with data analysis, predicting demand, shipping routes, fulfillment and more.
Cloud-based software is crucial for businesses hoping to simplify the fulfillment process. By adopting supply chain as a service models and outsourcing logistics and inventory management, companies can get their goods to clients faster and with less disruption. Not only can the cloud give supply chain managers an end-to-end view of the supply chain, but it also lets them access data from anywhere and share it with teammates. Additionally, software programs like the one available through ShipHero make it possible to reduce overhead by minimizing spending associated with infrastructure, maintenance and more.
Between continuing pandemic anxieties and unpredictable customer behavior, forecasting the future of the supply chain can be a challenge. Fortunately, your company can stay competitive by adopting the most up-to-date supply chain shortage solutions. Do your homework to give your business the best shot at success.For more information about how ShipHero Fulfillment can help you manage the strain of supply chain disruptions, schedule a meeting with a member of our sales team today.
Maggie M. Barnett, Esq. COO of ShipHeroShipHeroAbout the author: Maggie M. Barnett, Esq., is the COO of ShipHero. She is responsible for planning and executing the overall operational, legal, managerial and administrative procedures, reporting structures and operational controls of the organization. Barnett’s greatest strengths are leadership, risk mitigation, change management and a passion for business transformation. She is known for her expertise in delivering operational excellence and an ability to provide guidance and mitigating risk. Her leadership of ShipHero is grounded in a servant mentality, always doing the right thing for our stakeholders. Her passion for ShipHero comes from the ability to drive operational excellence throughout the organization impacting the lives of our employees, customers, and partners.Follow Maggie on Twitter&LinkedIn.
By Maggie M. Barnett, Esq. COO of ShipHeroHigh shipping and duty fees are a constant reality of our globally interdependent world. Finding ways to lower these costs, and therefore, increase revenue, is one of the biggest tasks for all eCommerce brands. Now, as inflation has become higher and there is little end in sight, finding ways to save is more important than ever.We’re going to discuss Section 321, a provision from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allows U.S. citizens to order goods duty-free from Canada (up to $800 USD per day). How can that help your business? Because, the duty savings isn’t just for the customer, it applies to the business too. Here’s the breakdown of Section 321 and the top ways to know if your brand is a fit for this cost-saving measure.
ShipHero began talking about the Section 321 program here, when we opened our first Canadian warehouses. It’s one of the best under-the-radar options for eCommerce businesses to save money. In layman’s terms, Section 321 is a provision from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol that allows U.S. citizens to order goods duty-free from Canada (up to $800 USD per day).Here’s how that can help a business like yours:
So, what’s the catch? There is no catch, which is the best part. And the even better part is that once you are a ShipHero Fulfillment client, we handle all the logistics for you.
It can seem a little complicated, so here’s a breakdown of 5 key ways to know if Section 321 Fulfillment is right for your brand.
If you are already sending some or all of your inventory to Canada, and selling to U.S. customers, then you might be paying duty fees that you’re technically exempt from. Make sure that you are getting the benefits of Section 321 if you already ship products from Canada to U.S. customers.You can decide to send some of your inventory to a Canadian warehouse and see just how much you could be saving. You can still fulfill from a U.S. location as well.
Taking advantage of Section 321 is easy - you just need to adjust your supply chain so that your inventory goes to Canada. You may qualify for a duty deferral, so that the duty fee is waived when the inventory is imported to Canada. Or once a U.S. customer places an order (for $800 USD or less), and that order is shipped, you’ll be eligible for a duty drawback. Here’s a possible savings example:
Once you multiply that by 10 or 100 or 1,000, you’ll start to see the savings really add up.
There are some products that don’t qualify for Section 321. Here’s a rundown:
If the opportunity of saving up to 20% on duty fees isn’t quite enough to entice you, there’s the very real fact that supply chains are still slow. By sending your inventory to Canada, you can help to diversify your distribution network and possibly alleviate some of those delays.
Besides the support of ShipHero’s Fulfillment team, we also partner with GHY, a Canadian-based broker that understands the nuances of Section 321 and most importantly, the paperwork.And, we have partners like Flxpoint, who can make managing Section 321 easier. With their intelligent tracking capabilities, Flxpoint can automatically identify and re-route orders that qualify for Section 321. You can set parameters and preferences to determine how your orders are fulfilled. For example, if a U.S. customer orders less than $800 and that product can all be fulfilled from Canada, then Flxpoint will send the order to ShipHero’s Canadian warehouse, maximizing your savings and order profitability. (This assumes you are fulfilling from Canada and the U.S. or another location.)
With more competition and rising costs, eCommerce brands need to find the options that will bring them greater success. By taking advantage of Section 321, your brand can save real money, increasing your revenue and making it possible to reach an even higher level of success. To find out more about Section 321, click HERE. To find out more about ShipHero's fully outsourced fulfillment solution, talk to one of our Fulfillment Experts today.
Maggie M. Barnett, Esq. COO of ShipHeroShipHeroAbout the author: Maggie M. Barnett, Esq., is the COO of ShipHero. She is responsible for planning and executing the overall operational, legal, managerial and administrative procedures, reporting structures and operational controls of the organization. Barnett’s greatest strengths are leadership, risk mitigation, change management and a passion for business transformation. She is known for her expertise in delivering operational excellence and an ability to provide guidance and mitigating risk. Her leadership of ShipHero is grounded in a servant mentality, always doing the right thing for our stakeholders. Her passion for ShipHero comes from the ability to drive operational excellence throughout the organization impacting the lives of our employees, customers, and partners.Follow Maggie on Twitter&LinkedIn.
Recent research shows that customers today care more about sustainability than ever before. According to a report by global professional services company Accenture, 72 percent of respondents are choosing to buy more environmentally friendly products than they did five years ago. Further, more than 80 percent of those surveyed expected to purchase even more of these types of products in the next five years.
While companies may have felt they had to choose between profits and sustainability environmental responsibility in the past, changing attitudes mean that being sustainable is just good financial sense today. Fortunately, ShipHero is here to help with sustainability and other eCommerce trends of 2022. Unfortunately, sustainability in eCommerce is tough to achieve. However, it is possible to take incremental steps that will eventually bring about significant impact when you adopt certain practices.
Keep reading to learn about the future of eCommerce and discover how we can help your brand achieve its goals.
Sustainability is the future of eCommerce for 2022 and beyond. A broad term, business sustainability refers to ways of doing things that avoid depleting natural resources. The goal is to promote environmental balance over the long term while still meeting short-term needs and objectives for your company. In the past, eCommerce activities have had a negative impact on the planet, often resulting in additional packaging waste and greater CO2 emissions. The good news is there are ways for eCommerce brands to achieve improved sustainability without compromising when it comes to Client Support or product quality.
When it comes to the eCommerce landscape of 2022, sustainability is driving innovation, and for good reason. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, shoppers are increasingly viewing the world through a more global lens, and savvy brands are listening. Here are just a few reasons to focus more on sustainability in the coming months.
When it comes to returns, the benefits of sustainability extend far beyond client satisfaction. By adopting more environmentally friendly returns practices, brands can save money on packaging and shipping costs. Third-party returns management solutions are one of the top eCommerce technology trends because they allow brands to optimize the reverse supply chain while limiting the effect of returns on the environment. Additionally, the use of augmented reality in eCommerce can enable clients to try out different items virtually prior to ordering. For example, offering shoppers access to a virtual fitting room may help reduce returns on clothes and accessories over the long haul.
Of course, it’s impractical to think your company can prevent returns all together. According to the National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail, retailers got back nearly 17 percent of the merchandise sold in 2021. Depending on your business type, creating a resale marketplace may enable you to promote sustainability while finding a new home for some of your gently used merchandise. Known as the circular economy, this system involves giving products a second life by listing them on resale marketplaces or peer-to-peer networks. It’s especially popular with buyers from Gen Z who may have less money to spend purchasing goods new.
Shopper satisfaction is just one reason that sustainability is among the top eCommerce trends of 2022. According to a study by the Sustainability Institute, online shopping results in more than 2 billion tons of waste on an annual basis. While companies are probably aware that Millennials and Gen Zers care about sustainability, they may be surprised to learn that these groups can have a significant impact on the buying decisions of their Gen X parents and Baby Boomer grandparents. According to a report by First Insight, 90 percent of Gen X buyers are willing to spend an extra 10 percent or more for products that are considered sustainable. With social media continuing to drive the sustainability movement, companies that don’t adopt new practices may find themselves getting left behind.
Inflation and supply chain issues are impacting consumers and companies alike, raising prices on everything from electric bills to computers. In the past, brands often held the false belief that being sustainable was more expensive. However, times have changed, and these days adopting sustainable practices like chatbots can actually save you money by reducing labor costs and boosting productivity.
One of the biggest benefits of chatbots in eCommerce is that they allow brands to provide superior customer service without bloating budgets. Not only can chatbots answer questions at all hours of the day or night, but they also help companies save on the cost of power and office supplies. As a bonus, businesses can save time and money that would otherwise be spent locating, hiring, and training customer service workers without sacrificing the quality of Client Support.
Sustainability is among the top eCommerce trends of 2022 and will continue to be a concern. By listening more closely to consumer wants and needs and prioritizing eco-friendly practices, businesses can do their part to help the environment without seeing their bottom lines suffer.
Talk to our software experts today and learn more about how our warehouse software is built for eCommerce brands to stay safe and optimized for the modern supply chain.
Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO
ShipHero
About the author: Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s major initiatives, his entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to have an impact on the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
In 2021, almost 60 percent of American adults purchased from a DTC brand. Also known as Direct to Consumer, DTC companies fulfill orders and ship them straight to the customer. With an increasing number of shopping channels cropping up online, clients have more choices than ever, and staying innovative is crucial to drawing sales away from the competition. Keep reading to learn more about how technology is making DTC explode and find out how your brand can benefit from the trend.
ShipHero has built a strong foundation by partnering with DTC eCommerce brands. Thanks to the use of cloud computing and enhanced technologies in the warehousing and 3PL space, companies can cut down on wait times while providing more satisfying Client Support.
A number of companies benefited from this eCommerce growth trend before the pandemic and then saw even greater success during the initial throes of COVID-19 . For example, sneaker supplier Allbirds won acclaim and financial success by selling products over the internet rather than through established outlets. Companies like Warby Parker and Casper are also leading the pack when it comes to online vs in store sales. There are dozens of brands, many ShipHero clients that also saw huge success.
New technological advances are enabling DTC to grow in exciting and lucrative ways. Not only can companies create websites with highly targeted content, but social media enables brands to build communities online, interacting directly with current and potential clients. Additionally, companies like ShipHero provide state-of-the-art warehouse management system software to enable end-to-end automation and allow your brand to integrate seamlessly with other eCommerce sites. The end result is faster growth for your business. Here are some of the ways in which eCommerce growth trends are helping businesses succeed.
Acquiring data is key when it comes to building a successful DTC brand, and technology is making that process easier than ever. After all, growing your business means analyzing data regarding conversions, retention, and product returns and making more informed decisions going forward. Additionally brands can use forecasting services to minimize missed sales due to sold out items and ensure purchase orders don’t slip through the cracks.
Just because you’ve opted to focus on online vs in store sales doesn’t mean you can afford to let client relationships suffer. Regardless of where they choose to purchase goods and services, today’s clients are seeking a more personal connection with brands. Without a brick-and-mortar store, businesses need to get creative, offering digital interactions and perks that take the place of physical encounters. Customers want brands to present them with shopping suggestions specifically tailored to their past purchases. Along with product recommendations, savvy businesses may provide price comparison info and even personalized interfaces for customers to try before they buy. As a bonus, helping clients make the right choices will help minimize the hassle and expense of dealing with returns.
When it comes to retail sales by channel, today’s companies don’t have to settle for one marketplace alone. And while Amazon and Etsy have opened up new opportunities, brands can’t lose sight of the need for effective, efficient marketplace fulfillment. With multiple systems providing disparate data and orders coming in from all over, adopting an integrated fulfillment system is of vital importance. Fortunately, the latest warehouse management systems make it easy to interface with multiple marketplaces. You can manage inventory, pick and pack orders, and handle reverse logistics. The end result is happy customers who keep coming back for more.
If you’re asking yourself, is eCommerce worth it in 2022, the answer should be a resounding yes. By staying abreast of the latest trends in DTC, you can take advantage of the opportunities to grow your brand while ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
Talk to our software experts today and learn more about how our warehouse software is built for eCommerce brands to execute their DTC strategies more effectively.
Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO
ShipHero
About the author: Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s major initiatives, his entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to have an impact on the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
.jpg)
Whether we like it or not, Peak Season has returned. While 2022 has proven to be a bit more predictable than 2021, the fact remains that some of the changes we saw as a result of COVID-19 and its impact on the global economy are here to stay.
To prepare you and your teams for Peak Season 2022, we’ve assembled some facts regarding what happened last year, what we can expect to happen this year and how some of the lingering effects of the pandemic continue to impact shipping and consumer sentiment this holiday season.
The last few months of 2021 were not quite as dire for eCommerce as people predicted. In fact, retail sales grew.
During November and December 2021, retail sales grew by 14.1% for a total of $886.7 billion in sales. And in the last two weeks of 2021, sales increased by 23%. By contrast, retail sales during the last two weeks of 2020 only grew by 11%.
Even in the face of economic uncertainty and supply chain delays, people still shopped in Q4. The end of the year surge could account for folks finding alternative items if the ones they truly wanted were unavailable in time for the holidays. The growth earlier in the season could account for people getting more shopping done early to avoid shipping delays (we’ll talk more about that in a second).
While supply chain disruptions most definitely impacted consumers more in 2021 than 2020, it didn’t gravely impact their holiday spending. The growth in sales for the end of 2021 proves that people were still willing and able to spend.
This year, the biggest ongoing concern for most consumers is inflation. It is true that the cost of goods has risen and these increased costs have impacted everyone. With higher costs for necessities like gas and food, there is a chance that discretionary spending will decline as people keep their wallets closed.
However, the overriding belief is that the 2022 holiday season will offer growth in retail sales. It is also predicted that shoppers will continue a trend that started 2 years ago and shop early to avoid shipping delays or products being sold out. In fact, 57% of consumers stated they aren’t going to wait until Black Friday to start their shopping.
Primarily this means that the retailers that offer deals and discounts as early as October might see an influx of dollars. In 2021, Black Friday pricing started early and many shoppers capitalized on the savings.
We can expect more of the same this year.We can also expect that m-commerce (or mobile-first commerce) will continue to grow at a rate of about 15%, and with it, Buy Online, Pickup in Store (BOPIS) and Buy Online, Pickup at Curbside (BOPAC). Services like BOPIS rose sharply during the pandemic and the impacts will be long-lasting. Seventy percent of consumers surveyed said that BOPIS has improved their overall retail experience.
Shipping is still an issue and it’s not changing. Many industry experts believe that a lot of the shipping challenges that were part of the pandemic are here to stay. Brands have been trying to find strategies to overcome shipping delays and rising costs.
Despite the hope that shipping delays between China and the United States would lessen as we distance ourselves from 2020, in fact, those delays have quadrupled since March of this year. These delays will continue to challenge retailers to keep warehouse and store shelves full.
And while the world is aware of the challenges faced by businesses and carriers to get packages delivered quickly, 70% of respondents in a recent survey published by UPS, stated that free shipping at checkout is the most important factor when making an online purchase. And 54% said that an estimated or guaranteed delivery date is the most important.
Primarily this tells us that people’s willingness to forgive delays or rising costs due to the pandemic has waned. Also, when faced with rising costs in other sectors, consumers will look for somewhere to find a deal. Free shipping is still considered one of the best “deals” in the marketplace, regardless of its toll on retailer bottom lines and transportation carrier bandwidths.
Load balancing your warehouse has proven to save up to 25% on shipping costs. That savings alone is worth the effort; however there’s also evidence that load balancing can reduce your total costs by up to 13%.
This tactic has been growing over the past few years as more strategic inventory placement has proven to result in cost savings. Getting the right products closer to the customers that will order them is just one way to cut down on shipping costs, and also a way to improve customer satisfaction with quicker delivery times.
Load balancing is not without its challenges though. It does take coordination and a warehouse management software system that can support moving your products across different warehouse locations.
Returns are again taking center stage as online purchases were returned last year at a rate of 17.8% which was an increase over the rate at the end of 2020. Research has also shown that return rates for online purchases in general are twice as high as returns of goods purchased in-store.
Additionally, more than 80% of shoppers have stated that a bad returns experience has resulted in them abandoning the brand for good.
Buttoning up your returns process and making it easy on the customer and your warehouse team is key to rebounding from revenue lost to returns during this time of year. Research has shown that 30% of all returns can also be converted into a new purchase, so there is a chance to recoup some of those dollars.
Working with partners that specifically manage returns (Loop Returns and Returnly both have direct integrations with ShipHero) can make this aspect of the holiday a little less stressful. Tracking items, knowing when to expect returns and having the proper capacity to process them when they arrive in the warehouse are all ways to manage returns right.
It’s also possible to find Warehouse Management Software (WMS) that has native returns management, like ShipHero. However you choose to manage returns it should be two things: easy for the customer; and easy for your team.
The time has come for Peak Season 2022. At ShipHero, we’re excited to see what will happen in the wide world of eCommerce this year. eCommerce as an industry has continued to grow and often outpace most people’s expectations. We’re expecting the same this year as well.
No matter how you get through Peak, don’t forget that there are partners that can help. ShipHero’s Warehouse Management Software sets up your warehouse with the end-to-end solution you need to keep everything running smoothly and packages shipping on time every time.
Talk to our software experts today and learn more about how our warehouse software is built for eCommerce brands to stay safe and optimized for the modern supply chain.
Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO
ShipHero
About the author: Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s major initiatives, his entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to have an impact on the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
As labor shortages and warehouse delays continue to cause headaches across the supply chain, more fulfillment centers are seeking out ways to streamline the shipping process.
One innovative solution has been an investment in warehouse robotics. While this technology can work to reduce the risk of human error, they’re also expensive. Most fulfillment centers wont have the luxury of adopting large, high-end robots to handle their picking and packing.
The thing that makes warehouse robotics so valuable is their capacity for automation. Workers can easily customize these machines to fit their specifications and have confidence they’re tasks will be executed without the need for more input. Luckily, there are cheaper automation tools available that make shipping easier, without the overhead that comes with robots.
Let’s take a look at warehouse automation beyond robotics, and see what affordable options there are to modernizing a fulfillment center.
When people think about automation in the warehouse, they might think of a fleet of robots and self-driving forklifts picking items and carrying them across the fulfillment center. However, with today’s technology, warehouse automation can be achieved on a much smaller, and more affordable scale.
Warehouse automation is actually defined as automating the movement and processing of products when they arrive, are stored, or are shipped out of the facility. Automation also works to take some of the strain off your existing warehouse staff. By taking over some of the more tedious or laborious tasks, warehouse operators are better equipped to overcome challenges like labor shortages and turnover.
Rather than spending thousands of dollars on expensive new equipment, your brand can reach this level of automation with the right picking software.
Automation via warehouse management software, or digital automation, leverages the data collected throughout your warehouse’s fulfillment and helps recommend or push strategies that could optimize the process.
Let’s take a look at some of the advantages that come along with warehouse software that provides automated functionality.
One of the key necessities for modern warehouse management systems is the ability to seamlessly integrate with other software platforms. Rather than manually input each third-party platform you work with to fulfill orders, quality software providers allow this to happen automatically.
If FedEx is your primary carrier, for example, your software should be able to integrate your orders and provide detailed shipping information without needing someone to actually enter that information themselves. Not only do automated integrations save time, but they also reduce the risk of human error, like entering mistaken or incorrect information into a platform.
Protecting the information of both their brand and customers is a top priority for today’s eCommerce brands. With so many bad actors looking to make a quick buck online, software providers have begun to emphasize their platform’s ability to identify and avoid potential scams.
Between firewalls, email filters and other digital security strategies, establishing these safety protocols on your own can get complicated. That’s why so many retailers turn to third-party software providers who can automatically implement data protection infrastructure.
eCommerce data threats can sound scary and difficult to understand, but by working with the right software provider, your brand gets an automated security system, giving you and your customers a greater sense of data integrity.
One of the most common hurdles for brands that run their own warehouse is organization. The placement and accessibility of your SKUs play a huge role in the overall efficiency of your warehouse. Finding the optimal approach to sortation, however, can take a lot of time and effort.
Luckily, this process can be made much easier with the help of automated software. Whether you're receiving, moving, picking or packing items in your warehouse, modern software providers can offer strategies for placement to enhance the performance of your staff.
This level of data management is extremely valuable for anyone seeking to fulfill orders faster while ensuring things like accuracy and quality.
In addition to sorting, automated software can also leverage data to identify bottlenecks or slowdowns in the warehouse. When these delay points are identified, warehouse managers can take steps to solve the issue before the problem can impact the customer.
In the modern supply chain, automation isn’t something that’s reserved for only major retailers like WalMart or Amazon. In fact, small to medium sized eCommerce brands can now access the same data and automation tools used by the major players in the industry.
Warehouse management software providers like ShipHero specialize in helping scaling brands reach their full potential with automation tools and top-tier data management strategies.
Talk to our software experts today and learn more about how our warehouse software is built for eCommerce brands to stay safe and optimized for the modern supply chain.
Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO
ShipHero
About the author: Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s major initiatives, his entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to have an impact on the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
For over two years now, supply chain disruptions have caused havoc for anyone looking to ship products. While significant improvements have been made, the holiday season’s high volume of shipping still poses serious challenges for eCommerce brands.
As we work to prepare for the influx of Q4 orders, it’s a good idea to look back on last year’s data for a better idea of what to expect. In 2021, according to Shipping & Freight Resource, global trade reached $28 trillion globally, a 23% increase from 2020. The surging popularity of online shopping has left carriers and fulfillment service providers scrambling to keep up, while more orders continue to pour in year after year.
In addition to more people doing their shopping online, the realities of the supply chain have made it difficult for brands to guarantee timely delivery during the holiday season. Congestion at ports, raw materials shortages, carrier delays and warehouse bottlenecks are just a few of the potential issues that could frustrate both you and your customers this holiday season. Many of these factors might seem like they’re out of your direct control, but by taking a few proactive steps, you can help minimize their impact and ensure a successful peak season.
Let’s take a look at some of the key factors your eCommerce brand needs to consider in order to keep customers happy during the holiday shipping season.
One of the best ways to avoid delivery delays during the holidays is to streamline your checkout process. This encourages your customers to make purchases in the moment, rather than browse the site only to place an order later on, possibly at the last minute.
A faster checkout process sometimes comes down to improving the usability of your online store. Eliminating unnecessary clicks and keeping customers logged in to their accounts can make buying from your site a better experience than with a competitor. Many online brands have even adopted omnichannel marketing to retain customer information and use it to elevate the experience on their website.
Omnichannel marketing offers customers a cohesive experience as they navigate through your store by pushing customized content aimed at specific buyers. By using the data provided by customers when they peruse your site, omnichannel marketing narrows down the items they’d be most interested in. When they return to the site, these offers can be pushed to the front page, making it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.
In addition to boosting the usability of your online store, omnichannel makes it easier for customers to complete purchases quickly. By getting orders logged as soon as possible, you’ll have less of a workload when the surge of holiday shipping starts to impact your carrier’s bandwidth.
Before peak season hits, you’ll want to make sure your team has a clear understanding of your carrier’s needs and shipping deadlines. Depending on which carrier you work with, guaranteed on-time shipping should include a cut-off date, so the delivery has time to make it to the customer’s doorstep.
Using USPS, for example, is a great option for small eCommerce brands that need consistent and relatively affordable shipping. However, delivery tends to take a bit longer with USPS than other, more expensive carriers, like FedEx.
You’ll need to make sure this information is communicated with not only your team, but your customers. That way, delivery expectations can stay reasonable, and customers won't be surprised with a late arrival.
With so many potential disruptions waiting to upend your shipment’s speedy delivery, it’s a good idea to keep alternative delivery options open. Maintaining a flexible supply chain has emerged as one of the key strategies to overcome the uncertainties in the delivery network.
As a way of shortening the wait time for customers who place an order, many brands have adopted micro fulfillment centers, or MFCs, as a means of staying efficient. MFCs are fulfillment centers, usually warehouses or storefronts, that allow customers to pick up their orders on-site. Brands with brick and mortar locations have taken advantage of this by turning their stores into pickup locations, eliminating the reliance on third-party delivery services entirely.
Other flexible features like warehouse parcel lockers have also gained popularity lately, since they allow customers to access their orders 24/7, without a member of staff needing to be there.
For even more flexibility in your supply chain, you can team up with companies that specialize in less-than-container-load shipping, like Flexport. Flexport’s shipping option allows clients to purchase space in shipping containers along with other clients, so you won’t have to pay for a full container with a limited amount of product. This allows smaller businesses with less product to get their goods from Shanghai to ShipHero’s Las Vegas warehouse in 23-25 days at just a fraction of the cost.
The holidays can be daunting for eCommerce brands. With so much uncertainty in the supply chain, optimizing the aspects you can control is the best way to ensure success. Whether it’s making buying easier for your customers, working closely with carriers to understand their deadlines, or adopting new strategies for a more flexible supply chain, there are a myriad of ways to ensure a profitable peak season.
If you’re running your own fulfillment center, a robust and reliable warehouse management system might be the difference maker. For a software partner that can help your eCommerce scale to new heights, contact the Software Experts at ShipHero today.
Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO
ShipHero
About the author: Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s major initiatives, his entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to have an impact on the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.
.svg){kind=logo}
