Apparel Fulfillment: How To Choose the Right Partner

Apparel brands have specific fulfillment needs. Learn the basics of apparel fulfillment and what to look for in a fulfillment partner.

For emerging ecommerce brands or traditional stores going digital, shipping and fulfillment can be challenging. Even when you get over the steep learning curve to understand it, fulfillment is one of the most time-consuming and effort-intensive aspects of managing an online store. This is particularly true for apparel brands, which generally manage more SKUs and more returns than other business types. 

As you scale your business online, you may need help meeting growing customer expectations, especially around shipping speed and cost. Third-party logistics companies (3PLs) like Shopify Fulfillment Network can take on inventory storage, order fulfillment, and returns, freeing your time.

But not all 3PLs are created equal, and apparel brands have specific requirements.Read on to learn why a fulfillment partner is critical to success and how to find the right partner for your apparel business. 

What is apparel fulfillment?

Apparel fulfillment refers to the storage, packaging, and shipping of clothing products. It’s usually carried out by 3PLs or dedicated apparel fulfillment centers.

The importance of efficient apparel fulfillment

Here are some of the ways an effective fulfillment provider can increase customer satisfaction and foster a competitive edge:

• Faster shipping. The average consumer considers shipping that is three days or less, fast. Timely fulfillment encourages repeat purchases. 
• Less expensive shipping. Free shipping is the number one reason shoppers choose to buy from a brand. A good fulfillment partner ensures your inventory is near buyers at all times, keeping shipping costs low and customers happy. And as high-volume shippers, 3PLs can negotiate preferential shipping rates.
• Better inventory management. Most apparel brands juggle varied SKUs in multiple sizes, colors, and styles. Efficient fulfillment reduces the risk of stockouts or overstocking. 
• Accurate fulfillment. Well-organized fulfillment processes minimize the chance of sending the wrong item, reducing return costs. 
• Sustainable practices. Optimized fulfillment reduces energy consumption, transportation emissions, and packaging waste. 
• Easier scalability. Stringent fulfillment systems can adapt to demand fluctuations so you can upscale or downscale operations without compromising service. 
• Lower operational costs. Effective apparel fulfillment optimizes the costs of inventory storage, handling, and shipping for a healthier bottom line. 
• Strategic insights. Streamlined fulfillment generates data on operational performance, customer preferences, and purchasing patterns to inform strategic decisions and enhance marketing. 

How to choose the right fulfillment partner

There’s no one-size-fits-all fulfillment partner—your business has unique needs, quirks, and challenges that demand specialist attention.

Here’s what to consider when selecting your partner. 

Compatibility with business model

For luxury brands, precision, attention to detail, and seamless customer experience are paramount. These businesses should seek partners that specialize in handling delicate items or that offer personalized or custom packaging and premium shipping. 

Alternatively, fast fashion brands thrive on agility, speed, and cost-efficiency, and should look for a partner equipped to handle rapid turnovers and high-volume demands, with advanced automation and efficient order processing.

Smaller, boutique labels requiring flexibility and collaboration should find a partner that understands their niche, offers customizable solutions, and accommodates smaller orders. Dedicated support and the flexibility to scale up or down with seasonal fluctuations are other perks to consider. 

Quality control measures

Look for an apparel fulfillment provider with rigorous inspection processes, including thorough visual inspections, tactile assessments, and even specialized testing to verify fabrics and color accuracy. The apparel fulfillment center you choose should also provide climate-controlled environments to safeguard fabrics from moisture damage—especially if your products are made with fine or delicate materials. Finally, seek proper handling procedures that prevent damage. For high-end centers, this can include garment steaming, tissue paper wrapping, and custom packaging. 

These standards embody exceptional customer service, ensuring every product retains its condition from the warehouse to the customer's doorstep.

Real-time inventory updates

Wouldn’t it be great to log into your ecommerce storefront, track real-time inventory numbers and distribution, see what’s stored where, and use that information to make decisions at all stages of your supply chain? Consider a partner that supports simple inventory management, ideally employing the software you already use. Then you can react quickly to inventory issues, understand customer purchasing patterns, and use that data in your marketing. 

Experience in the apparel sector

A partner with specific apparel experience understands the nuances facing clothing merchants and can tailor their services to address common challenges.

Here are a few of the benefits an apparel-specific fulfillment solution can provide:

Reliable returns management

Apparel—especially clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories—have the highest return rates of any industry. A suitable 3PL will accept returned goods at their warehouse and follow your specific guidelines, either disposing or reentering them into your inventory.

Peak season support

A good fulfillment partner will prepare for busy times like Black Friday or Boxing Day by proactively communicating to ensure your inventory is well distributed across their network. They should also increase support, ensuring everything runs smoothly. 

Free inbounding

Clothing and apparel companies with high SKU counts often rotate inventory by season. If your 3PL charges you for every inbound inventory shipment, it’ll quickly eat into your margins. Seek a partner that understands the high-inventory turnover of apparel businesses and proves it by offering free inbounding. This is a rare but game-changing offering from a 3PL partner. Shopify Fulfillment Network offers free inbound inventory shipments and six months’ storage per item.

Key components of apparel fulfillment

Three important aspects that influence your partner’s efficacy in apparel fulfillment are inventory management, order processing, and distribution and technology.

1. Inventory management in apparel fulfillment

Forecasting demand, coordinating with suppliers and logistics partners throughout the supply chain, organizing warehouse stock, tracking inventory, and fulfilling orders are all part of inventory management. 

The fast-paced nature of the fashion industry means managing an ongoing balancing act: having enough to meet demand without overstocking, which can lead to unnecessary storage costs and markdowns. Order processing and distribution (also known as picking and packing) involves managing incoming orders, picking the right items from inventory, carefully packaging and shipping them—all in record time to meet customer expectations. This process is crucial for keeping customers happy and ensuring they return. 

In an environment where next-day (or even same-day) delivery is the norm, speedy and reliable order processing is paramount.

2. Technology and automation in apparel fulfillment

Leveraging cutting-edge tools minimizes human error and keeps your whole operation smooth. Whether it’s using bar code scanning systems to track inventory with pinpoint precision or deploying automated pick-and-pack solutions, technology and automation reduce labor costs, boost efficiency, and help you stay ahead of the curve. Today’s consumers have high expectations, so embracing technology is a necessity, not a luxury. 

Comparing the Shopify Fulfillment Network and other options

Finding your ideal fulfillment solution has never been easier, with a wealth of reliable options available. Learn more about these popular fulfillment providers:

Shopify Fulfillment Network

Shopify Fulfillment Network’s landing page promotes fast, easy, and affordable fulfillment.

Designed especially for ecommerce brands, Shopify Fulfillment Network offers a comprehensive suite of services integrated with Shopify’s platform so you can manage your supply chain from one place. Advanced technology and automation offer real-time inventory tracking, predictive analytics, and intelligent order routing to help you stay on top of your game. 

Enjoy these benefits when you sign up for Shopify Fulfillment Network:

• Inventory distribution across a global warehouse network
• Free inbound inventory shipments and six months free storage per item 
• Two-day shipping in North America
• Preferable carrier rates for high-volume product shipments
• Increased support and development during peak shopping periods 
• Consistent pricing no increased storage fees during peak periods
• Flexport third-party logistics integration

Flexport

Shopify Fulfillment Network integrates with Flexport’s data-driven platform to coordinate fast, flexible, and affordable deliveries, but you can also use Flexport as a standalone end-to-end supply chain modeling and fulfillment service. 

Pros: A single platform coordinates suppliers, shippers, customs and ports, offering in-app messaging and on-demand status updates.

Cons: Flexport specializes in international trade, and smaller businesses with localized client bases might not need to pay for its bells and whistles.

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)

FBA lets sellers store their products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, where the retail giant handles packing, shipping, and customer service. 

Pros: FBA has extensive reach and a huge customer base, offers fast shipping through its Prime program, and integrates with Amazon’s ecosystem for managing inventory.

Cons: Storage and fulfillment fees can be high sellers have limited control over branding and packaging, and there’s stiff competition on the platform. 

ShipBob

ShipBob offers warehousing, packaging, and shipping solutions from strategically located fulfillment centers across the US. 

Pros: It boasts multiple fulfillment centers for faster shipping, integrates with all major ecommerce platforms, and has a suite of inventory management and order fulfillment tracking tools. 

Cons: Pricing isn’t always competitive for small businesses, there are limited international shipping options, and it might not be suitable for high-volume sellers. 

Printful

Printful is a print-on-demand apparel fulfillment service specializing in custom apparel and accessories. You can design your own products and Printful handles printing, packing, and shipping to customers, wherever they are in the world. 

Pros: You can enjoy print-on-demand services to create custom apparel pieces, integrate with all major ecommerce platforms, and there are no upfront costs or inventory management needed. 

Cons: It’s limited to apparel customization, the per-unit cost is high compared to bulk manufacturing, and custom orders take longer to fulfill. 

ShipStation 

ShipStation aggregates multiple carriers and provides businesses with the tools they need to streamline order fulfillment, label printing, and shipping management across different sales channels. 

Pros: Customizable packing slips, and integration with popular ecommerce platforms and marketplaces. 

Cons: Warehousing and storage require separate arrangements, so it’s not a complete fulfillment service. It also requires technical expertise to set up and manage effectively. 

Apparel fulfillment FAQ

What kind of company is fulfillment?

Apparel fulfillment companies handle order processing, packaging, and shipping for ecommerce businesses. They manage inventory, pick and pack items, and work with carriers to deliver products to customers in good time. While they do this, ecommerce apparel brands can focus on other activities, like marketing, product development, and customer support.

What is the apparel retail industry?

The apparel retail industry is an umbrella term for businesses that sell clothing, footwear, and accessories. It encompasses large department stores and specialty clothing chains to independent boutiques and online retailers.

How is seasonality managed for apparel fulfillment?

The apparel industry hinges on fast-paced seasonal trends, which impact the apparel fulfillment process. To manage, brands can forecast demand based on historical data and market trends, use flexible warehousing solutions, implement just-in-time manufacturing processes, and foster collaborative relationships with suppliers. Doing this helps them pivot depending on customer desires.

Through integrated inventory management systems that span sales channels, businesses can adjust inventory levels, respond to demand, and efficiently allocate stock year-round.