Most businesses that sell a physical product will need to deal with warehousing and distribution services. And as anyone in the retail industry can attest, transportation and logistics can get complicated, and fast. The trucking industry in Canada is worth more than $65 billion, and at any given moment, thousands of drivers are hauling freight across the country.
To succeed in the retail world, you need to ensure that your customers receive what they ordered in a timely fashion and that their order is in good condition when it arrives. The basics of warehousing and distribution services may seem quite elementary, but there’s a reason so many business owners opt to outsource them. If you’re considering working with third-party warehousing and distribution services, then there are several factors you need to consider before getting started.
Length of Time
How long you will need inventory storage solutions depends on your business model. For example, you may be interested in acquiring a short-term solution during the holidays to account for the extra orders you will need to fulfill. Alternatively, if your business is steadily growing, you may be ready to invest in long-term storage solutions.
The Nature of your Inventory
Most warehouses allow goods to be stored by open square foot or by rack. However, you’ll need to ensure that the service you work with can safely store and transport your inventory. Electronics may require special handling instructions, while perishable goods must be stored in climate-controlled warehouses. Warehousing for food storing comes with its own set of obstacles; not all warehouse services are up for the challenge.
Security
While security should be a factor no matter what type of goods you provide, it’s especially important if you sell consumer electronics or other valuable goods. Because your inventory is so costly (and potentially valuable on the black market), security in your warehouse needs to be reliable. Even if you don’t sell a high-cost product, it can be nerve-racking to think about your assets sitting unprotected in an offsite location. While your insurance may cover the cost of stolen inventory, these incidents can still cause problems and delays for your business and your customers. Fortunately, many outsourced warehousing companies are skilled at keeping your items safe 24/7/365 days a year — one more worry to cross off the list!
Inventory Management
Success has its perks, no doubt, but it can also become a little overwhelming; before, you were producing and shipping out of your garage or office space; now you’re in charge of thousands (or even hundreds of thousands) of products. Every order needs to be logged and managed in an efficient, easy-to-understand way. Outsourced warehouse management often includes the inventory software you need to stay up to date on your products — where they are, how many have been sold. This type of technology also provides a plethora of other efficiency benefits. The more you’re able to stay on top of real-time updates, the better you’ll be able to serve your customers.
Looking for warehousing and distribution services in Vancouver? Then it’s time to contact us, a trusted Warehouse and Distribution Company in Vancouver. Our third-party logistics company can assist you with all aspects of inventory management and fulfillment. Contact our team today to get started.