Barrett Distribution Centers has built a strong reputation over 85 years as a third-party logistics provider, particularly for apparel, health and beauty, and consumer packaged goods brands. With 24+ warehouses concentrated primarily on the East Coast, they’ve become a go-to for brands needing value-added services like embroidery, custom packaging, and retail compliance.
But Barrett isn’t the right fit for every brand. If you ship heavy or bulky products, need stronger West Coast or central U.S. coverage, want financially-backed service guarantees, or are a smaller brand looking for simpler pricing—you may find a better match elsewhere.
This guide compares four Barrett Distribution alternatives, each with different strengths: enterprise-grade fulfillment for heavy goods, tech-forward solutions for fast-growing DTC brands, subscription box specialists, and small business-friendly options with transparent pricing.
Top Barrett Distribution alternatives at a glance
| Barrett Distribution Alternatives Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Specialty | Best For |
| Red Stag Fulfillment | Big, heavy, and bulky products; omnichannel fulfillment | Enterprise and fast-growing brands needing financially-backed guarantees |
| ShipBob | Tech-driven DTC fulfillment; global network | Fast-growing ecommerce brands shipping lightweight products |
| ShipMonk | Subscription boxes; crowdfunding fulfillment | DTC brands with recurring shipments or Kickstarter campaigns |
| eFulfillment Service | Small business fulfillment; transparent pricing | Startups and small sellers wanting no minimums or setup fees |
1. Red Stag Fulfillment
Red Stag Fulfillment is a 3PL built specifically for big, heavy, and bulky products—the items that give most fulfillment centers trouble. Founded and owned by ecommerce operators, Red Stag was built on the belief that fulfillment delivers your brand. The company serves enterprise and fast-growing brands across DTC, retail, and marketplace channels like Amazon from two strategically located warehouses.
Key Strengths:
Financially-backed guarantees: Zero shrinkage, order accuracy, on-time shipping, and fast receiving. If Red Stag misses a guarantee, they pay you for the mistake.
Strategic warehouse locations: Two facilities in Sweetwater, TN and Salt Lake City, UT totaling 1.2 million square feet—reaching 96% of the U.S. within 2 days via ground shipping.
True omnichannel fulfillment: DTC parcels, DTC pallets, retail distribution to most retailers, plus Amazon solutions including FBA prep, Seller Fulfilled Prime, and FBM.
Dedicated support: U.S.-based client success team with deep fulfillment experience and direct line to the warehouse floor. Plus a dedicated onboarding team at no extra cost.
Considerations:
Two warehouse locations vs. Barrett’s 24+ facilities—though Red Stag’s central positioning can deliver comparable or better transit times at a lower total cost of fulfillment.
Best suited for brands with established volume; may not be the right fit for very early-stage startups.
Best for: Enterprise and fast-growing brands shipping big, heavy, bulky, or high-value products who need true omnichannel fulfillment with service guarantees that have financial teeth.
2. ShipBob
ShipBob is a tech-driven 3PL with one of the largest fulfillment networks in the industry—over 50 centers across the U.S., Canada, UK, EU, and Australia. Their platform is built for fast-growing DTC brands shipping lightweight, standard-sized products at scale.
Key Strengths:
Massive global network: 50+ fulfillment centers worldwide for distributed inventory and international expansion.
Strong technology platform: 90+ integrations with Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and major marketplaces. Robust analytics and inventory management.
No order minimums: Accessible entry point for growing brands not yet at enterprise volume.
Considerations:
Optimized for lightweight goods—not ideal for heavy, bulky, or oversized products.
Some users report inventory receiving delays and pricing complexity across their large network.
Primarily DTC-focused; less robust B2B and retail distribution capabilities compared to full omnichannel providers.
Best for: Fast-growing DTC ecommerce brands shipping lightweight products who want a tech-forward platform with global reach and don’t need heavy B2B or retail fulfillment.
3. ShipMonk
ShipMonk is a technology-focused 3PL that’s carved out a niche in subscription box and crowdfunding fulfillment. With heavy investment in automation and robotics, they process over 100,000 orders daily across 12 fulfillment centers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
Key Strengths:
Subscription box specialist: Purpose-built for recurring shipments with kitting, bundling, and predictable cycle fulfillment.
Crowdfunding expertise: Experience handling Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaign fulfillment with variable timelines and batch shipments.
Intuitive software: User-friendly platform known for clean interface and multi-warehouse inventory management.
Considerations:
Not suitable for bulky, oversized, or non-standard items—automation is optimized for standard product sizes.
Mixed customer reviews—some report hidden fees and inventory discrepancies.
Built for higher volumes; may be less cost-effective for smaller brands just getting started.
Best for: DTC brands running subscription boxes or fulfilling crowdfunding campaigns who need automation-driven fulfillment for standard-sized products.
4. eFulfillment Service
eFulfillment Service (EFS) takes a different approach than the tech-heavy giants: they focus specifically on small to mid-sized sellers with transparent pricing and no barriers to entry. Operating from a 200,000 sq ft facility in Michigan, they’ve built a reputation for straightforward service without the complexity.
Key Strengths:
No setup fees, no minimums: No order minimums, no setup costs, and no long-term contracts—ideal for seasonal sellers or brands testing fulfillment outsourcing.
Transparent pricing: Straightforward fee structure that protects margins—no hidden costs or surprise charges.
Solid accuracy: 99.9% order accuracy with responsive customer support and 20+ years in business.
Considerations:
Single warehouse location in Michigan—reaches 68% of the U.S. in 2 days, but less coverage than multi-location providers.
Limited B2B and retail fulfillment capabilities—primarily focused on DTC ecommerce.
May lack the advanced technology features and integrations of larger tech-focused 3PLs.
Best for: Small businesses, startups, and seasonal sellers who want simple, transparent fulfillment without minimums, setup fees, or long-term commitments.
How to choose the right Barrett Distribution alternative
The right 3PL depends on your specific situation. Here’s how to narrow down your options:
Consider your product type
If you ship big, heavy, or bulky products, you need a 3PL built for that complexity. Red Stag specializes in items that give standard fulfillment centers trouble. If you ship lightweight, standard-sized goods, ShipBob or ShipMonk’s automation-optimized networks may be more cost-effective.
Map your sales channels
Selling DTC only? Most 3PLs handle that well. But if you also ship to retailers like Walmart or Target, fulfill B2B orders, or need Amazon FBA prep alongside your own fulfillment, you need true omnichannel capabilities. Red Stag handles DTC parcels, DTC pallets, retail distribution, and Amazon from the same facilities.
Evaluate your growth stage
Early-stage brands with unpredictable volume may benefit from eFulfillment Service’s no-minimum, no-contract approach. Fast-growing DTC brands might leverage ShipBob’s distributed network. Enterprise brands shipping heavy goods across multiple channels need the guarantees and dedicated support of a provider like Red Stag.
Assess service level needs
Do you need financially-backed guarantees that pay you when things go wrong? That’s rare in the industry—Red Stag offers it. Do you need a dedicated onboarding team? In-house support with direct warehouse access? Or is self-service with strong software sufficient?
Find the right fulfillment partner
Barrett Distribution has earned its reputation in apparel and CPG fulfillment, but it’s not the only option—and may not be the best fit for your specific needs.
If you’re shipping big, heavy, or bulky products and need a 3PL with financially-backed guarantees, true omnichannel capabilities, and dedicated support, Red Stag Fulfillment is worth a conversation.
Ready to see if Red Stag is the right fit? Get a free quote and talk with our team about your fulfillment needs.
