First in, first out — or FIFO — is an inventory management practice where the oldest stock goes to fill orders first. That way, the first stock purchased/received is the first to leave. FIFO is also an accounting principle, but […]
Innovative eCommerce fulfillment providers have been looking for better ways to measure and charge for warehouse storage. A volumetric storage model accurately measures the space your goods actually use, so the industry is moving toward this more precise method for […]
Cross-docking can help your eCommerce company streamline its fulfillment processes, increase customer satisfaction, and reduce order fulfillment cycle time. This post explains the cross-docking process, how it works with full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) inbound shipments, and how cross-docking […]
Many products arrive by shipping container or full truckload (FTL) or less than truckload (LTL) freight. You don’t usually get to choose whether your shipments are floor loaded or palletized, but the difference in loading styles could increase the cost of […]
For eCommerce startups, fulfillment strategy is a moving target. If you start small, your first fulfillment warehouse might be a spare bedroom or garage. As you grow, you may rent warehouse space and hire staff to pick, pack, and ship […]
You might hear the following terms used interchangeably: fulfillment center, warehouse, distribution center, and third-party logistics (3PL). While there is some overlap, each of these terms has a distinct meaning. Here’s what you need to know when comparing a fulfillment […]
Products with low inventory turnover rates can increase your storage and holding costs, leave you saddled with obsolete stock, and place a drag on your business growth. The first step to solving the problem is understanding how to identify slow-moving […]
The question of depot vs. warehouse is often one of semantics. What matters most is finding the right partner to meet your needs and help you grow. A depot can be a warehouse type, but that’s not how the term […]
The warehouse inventory management systems that you put in place will determine the success of your eCommerce fulfillment operations. One winning strategy is outsourcing your warehouse management to a 3PL services partner. When you put your fulfillment in the hands […]
If there’s one hard truth that all eCommerce owners know it’s that some inventory shrinkage is unavoidable: a box drops during unloading, a supplier sends the wrong quantity, or a product expires before you sell it. And you know that […]
Here’s the raw reality: warehouses don’t typically love receiving floor-loaded shipments. Why? Because unloading floor-loaded containers is much more complicated, time-consuming, and hazardous than receiving palletized stock. That said, there are times when floor stacking is the best (or only) […]
Accurate stock counts are critical to the efficient operation of your business. An inventory discrepancy introduced during eCommerce fulfillment can throw off your demand forecasts and lead to unexpected out-of-stock items. Here are the most common causes of inventory discrepancies […]
