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Top ShipMonk alternatives for 2025
You’ve got merchandise to ship to customers, but how do you make sure everything arrives in one piece? And if you’re dealing with bigger items, how do you avoid paying an arm and a leg in shipping costs? ShipMonk offers […]
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Contract warehousing: Definition, benefits & how to choose the right 3PL partner
Contract warehousing is a long-term agreement where a third-party logistics (3PL) provider dedicates facility space, labor, and technology to a single client. Unlike public warehousing, costs and SOPs are customized, giving you predictable pricing, tailored processes, and full control of […]
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Inventory shortage: Causes, costs & proven prevention strategies
Inventory shortages drain billions from retail operations annually, making stockouts one of the most critical challenges facing businesses today. An inventory shortage occurs when available inventory levels fall below the quantity needed to fulfill customer orders. In simple terms, you’ve […]
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Joint shipment: Definition, benefits & implementation guide
Joint shipments can slash your shipping costs by 20-40% while boosting customer satisfaction—but only if you implement them correctly. Picture this: A customer places two separate orders from your store on Monday and Tuesday. Instead of shipping each order individually […]
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Inventory backlog: Definition, formulas, & how to prevent it
Your warehouse has inventory in stock. You’ve sold more units to customers than you can fulfill. The math is brutal: angry customers waiting for products you can’t ship. This inventory backlog scenario plays out daily across ecommerce operations, turning profitable […]
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What “Tendered to Delivery Service Provider” really means
Seeing “tendered to delivery service provider” on your tracking update? Don’t worry—your package isn’t lost. This status simply means your original carrier (UPS, FedEx, or DHL) handed your package to a local delivery service for final delivery. It’s a completely […]
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Bonded shipments: Complete guide for seamless in-bond freight
Picture this: You’re shipping high-value electronics from Canada to Mexico through the U.S. Using traditional shipping, you’ll pay Canadian duties, then U.S. duties at the border, then Mexican duties at the final destination. That’s three separate duty payments on the […]
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ShipMonk vs. Amazon FBA: Fulfillment service comparison
The ecommerce fulfillment solution you choose plays a critical role in your business’s ability to scale, grow profits, and satisfy customer expectations. When deciding between ShipMonk and Amazon FBA, the right choice depends on several key factors, such as order […]
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On-Time In-Full (OTIF): Meaning, benchmarks, best practices
Poor delivery performance is costing suppliers millions in retailer penalties while destroying customer relationships. Retailers now demand near-perfect delivery performance, imposing brutal financial penalties for failures. Major retailers restrict accounts, charge hefty fees, and reduce shelf space allocation for poor […]
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Collaborative forecasting: Definition, benefits & implementation guide
Your sales team sees surging demand ahead. Operations expects steady growth. Finance plans cost cuts. Suppliers guess wildly. Customers face empty shelves. Sound familiar? You’re trapped in forecasting silos. Most companies operate this way. Sales make promises operations can’t deliver. […]
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Upstream supply chain: Definition, challenges & optimization guide
In supply chain management, the upstream supply chain refers to all activities that happen before production: sourcing raw materials, evaluating and contracting suppliers, purchasing components, and transporting them to the manufacturer. It’s the upstream supply side of the entire supply […]
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6 Tips for selling large & oversized products on Amazon
Selling large and oversized items on Amazon, such as patio furniture sets, exercise equipment, and home entertainment systems, can be incredibly profitable. However, it doesn’t take long for the hidden costs to accumulate. You’re often dealing with high Fulfilled by […]