Retail and Distribution Servicescase
The retail supply chain is ever-changing and the industry is demanding and competitive. Expeditors’ global logistics solutions are designed to help you meet those challenges while achieving your goals across sales channels.
Our operations use best practices learned from extensive experience across retail sectors, our global scale and network, and industry-leading technologies, custom-tailored retail logistics solutions are built to optimize inventory, lead times, and shipping costs.
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Our Capabilitiescase
Our wide range of distribution services supporting the retail industry, coupled with our global, regional, and local expertise, enables us to service our customers with industry proven solutions that drive value.
Learn more about how our Warehousing & Distribution services supports the retail and fashion industry.
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Multi-Channel and Online Fulfillment
Multi-channel fulfillment capabilities enable retail organizations to respond to customer demand, regardless of sales channel, and to meet the delivery expectations of global consumers, from same-day delivery to flexible drop ship options to stringent retailer compliance requirement solutions.
- Online DTC and B2B inventory under a single pool of inventory.
- Optimized and accurate order preparation.
- Flexible model allowing to adjust capacity to absorb the inherent volatility of today’s supply chain.
- Integrated inbound and outbound transportation and Customs services.
- Flexible integration models with leading ERP and DTC platforms.
Retail Compliance
Meeting your customer's delivery requirements and avoiding chargebacks can be a significant challenge. Through our highly trained and knowledgeable workforce and extensive experience with a wide range of large retailers, we can help you achieve greater operational execution and vendor compliance.
- Routing guide expertise.
- Customer specific labeling.
- Compliant packaging.
- Pallet management programs.
- Accurate and conforming documentation.
Store Replenishment
With an expansive global network of locations, Expeditors provides greater flexibility and responsiveness for ensuring stores avoid stock-out situations.
- Flexible inventory positioning that enables consolidated zone deliveries.
- Predictable replenishment timing.
- Coordination with store management on product delivery selection.
- Refurbishing/restoring product for re-sale.
Transload & Cross Dock
Balancing speed and cost many times involves introducing new operational locations to your supply chain. By utilizing an Expeditors’ facility for cross-dock or transload services, benefits can be achieved through:
- Strategic port and airport locations to feed inland DC’s and domestic transportation networks with increased speed.
- Optimized loading of inbound trailers to allow more efficient handling at DC’s.
- Reduced congestion at DC’s.
- FTZ options to optimize inbound freight utilization for regional replenishment strategies.
Upstream Fulfillment
Expeditors’ inventive Upstream Fulfillment model enables the movement of goods directly from the point of supply and production to the point of sale without shipment to or handling by your regional distribution centers (DC-bypass):
- Increase speed to market across sales channels.
- Support initial expansion into new markets without costly infrastructure.
- Reduce redundant transport costs.
- Reduce your environmental impact through fewer “product miles” traveled.
Seasonal and Promotional Programs
Retail supply chains are often challenged by seasonality and promotions that create unusually high levels of inventory variability and volume fluctuations. Expeditors can help manage these programs through:
- Shared multi-tenant facilities offered in a variable cost model to flex as needed.
- Flexible labor model avoiding fixed headcount and costs.
- Customized value-added service options based on evolving program needs.
Returns Management
For a retailer, returns are an inevitable consequence of sales. Our global network enables our customers to optimize the collection and disposition of returned items to re-enter into sellable inventory quickly, refurbish for sale, or recycle and dispose of while ensuring timely customer refunds. Shared multi-tenant facilities offered in a variable cost model to flex as needed.
- Standardized processes for collection, dispositioning, and recovery processes.
- Enabled data communications for RMA status tracking
Our Global Network
Our global network supports the diverse and changing needs of leading retailers’ supply chain. Through standardized processes and a comprehensive spectrum of services, our capabilities highlight best-in-class inventory management and order fulfillment.
With services like retail compliance, store replenishment, and upstream fulfillment, our facilities provide a platform to serve positioning products closer to customers with tailored requirements globally. We use flexible information technology to maximize and expand retailers’ market as a secure and compliant partner.