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shipjoy, ecommerce, fulfillment

The Top 5 Trends Shaping eCommerce In 2020

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shipjoy, trends, ecommerceToday’s consumers hold more power than ever.  They have choices, and they know it. They want the right products, at the right price, and they want them delivered almost immediately. 

In order to keep up with the sophisticated demands of 2020 eCommerce trends,  companies need to get their strategies on point so that they don’t fall behind their competitors. 

Your choice of fulfillment partner can make or break your business. In the eyes of the consumer, they are you.  There’s no distinction between them clicking ‘buy’ online and the product arriving at their door. 

eCommerce fulfillment operations know this and are leading the charge to bring the industry up to the very highest technological standards. 

Here are some 2020 eCommerce trends that we’ll be seeing over the next year. 

#1 Rise Of The Machines

Automation is becoming key to fulfillment activities. High levels of productivity and efficiency give them a competitive edge. 

Organizations such as Amazon are already using robotics and enhanced automation in their warehouses alongside their human workers. 

At present, this technology is still relatively new and extremely expensive, but as it evolves, the price of technology starts to come down, we will see more companies adopting it in the near future. 

#2 Adoption Of Emerging Technology

It’s not just robotic automation we’re seeing utilized, warehouses are getting to be extremely creative in their use of new tech.  

The same programs that allow consumers to virtually decorate the rooms in their home or try out a new hair color are now being used in warehousing to identify and locate stock. 

#3 Tracking Products In Real-Time

Consumer demands around their online retail experience are driving eCommerce and fulfillment partners to share real-time information throughout the entire buying process. 

Websites, marketplaces, apps, logistics, payment portals, and couriers are now interconnected, providing a seamless experience for the customer and allowing up to the minute reporting on stock and fulfillment. 

#4 Accessing The Global Marketplace

The rise in the number of online marketplaces is fueling the retail sector at a rate never seen before.  

Retailers now have access to customers all over the world beyond a physical store. Fulfillment partners like ShipJoy are now providing services across multi-channel fulfillment.

In 2018, 1.8 billion people bought something online. That is over 21 percent of the world’s population.  This number is expected to reach 2.14 billion by 2021. 

#5 Offsetting Of Increasing Costs

The warehousing industry is going through significant change at present. Poor working conditions in some areas have been highlighted in the press and have lead to an industry-wide push for better pay, conditions, and benefits for workers. 

In response to these increased costs, the industry is now looking at ways to reduce and streamline their processes, offer new value-added services and cushion the financial blow being passed on to the end-users. 

Contact ShipJoy today for more information on how to take advantage of 2020 eCommerce trends shaping the industry.

shipjoy, ecommerce, fulfillment

Everything You Need To Know About Warehousing

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shipjoy, warehouse, third, partyIf you’re planning to set up your own eCommerce venture, or you’ve been selling and storing products for some time, sooner or later, you’ll have to consider a better way to store and ship your products to your customers. 

When you’re just starting out, getting those first exciting orders, it makes sense to store and ship the orders yourself.  But as your eCommerce store will take off and you’ll find it more and more difficult to keep up with the demands of sending out orders. 

This is when you need to consider third party warehousing.  

What Are The Benefits Of Using Warehousing? 

Flexibility – most third-party warehousing companies are extremely flexible with their terms and pricing. If your business is cyclical in nature, you can scale your needs accordingly at short notice.  

Lower staffing costs – you won’t need to hire your own team to fulfill your orders.  You’ll save on all of the extra costs that it involves and extra paperwork that being an employer needs. 

Greater efficiency – warehousing companies do what they do all day, every day.  They will be much faster and efficient than you could ever hope to be. 

Save money – you’ll benefit from the great rates warehousing companies get with packaging manufacturers and couriers. 

When Should You Start Using A Third Party Warehousing Service

You may be ready to look at outsourcing your logistics if the following apply to your business. 

You’re too busy to run your business – if you’re spending all of your time packing and sending your items at the expense of other areas of your business, then it’s time to look at warehousing.  

You’re running out of room – if your entire house, garage and garden shed is filled with stock, you’re going to need an alternative solution.  It’s unsustainable in the long term. 

Your business is cyclical – if you do a large proportion of your business at a certain time of the year, you may not want to arrange your own storage and seasonal staffing.

Choosing A Third Party Warehousing Partner

Whoever you choose will act as an extension of your business in the eyes of your customers.  So you need to choose wisely.

Get a recommendation – ask other people in the business who they would recommend. If you don’t know who to ask, find a Facebook or LinkedIn group that you can ask.  

Do they have similar clients – many companies will specialize in certain types of clients. Find one that has clients similar to you. 

Can they process refunds as well? – in order to keep the entire process as smooth as possible, find a partner that can handle refunds and returns as well.  

Don’t just base your decision on price – it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, especially when cash flow is tight, but making the wrong choice could cost you much more.  Unhappy customers won’t buy from you again and are likely to leave you bad reviews online. Since most people won’t differentiate you from your fulfillment partner, your reputation will suffer at the hands of their bad service. 

For more information on third party warehousing contact ShipJoy today.