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Picture a packer at Peak Season. A box is in front of them, a product in each hand, and somewhere on a cluttered desk there's a mouse they need to find to confirm the order. They look down. They hunt. They click. Then they do it again. Thousands of times a day.
That moment of friction is small. But it is never just one moment. Multiply it across your entire pack line, across an entire shift, and you are looking at a measurable and largely invisible drag on your total throughput.
Tap-to-Pack is a purpose-built hardware controller designed by ShipHero to eliminate digital friction at the packing station. It connects via USB-C, requires no drivers or additional software, and syncs automatically with the ShipHero WMS packing app. This new system is now available at the ShipHero Store.
Instead of navigating a screen with a keyboard and mouse, packers execute every high-frequency command â such as selecting box sizes, printing labels, finalizing orders, flagging exceptions â with a single physical tap on one of eight programmable buttons.
Key specifications:
Most warehouses are running 2026 operations on 1990s peripheral standards. The keyboard and mouse were designed for spreadsheets and emails, not high-volume fulfillment. When used at a packing station, they create three compounding problems:
The problem is not your people. It is the tools you are asking them to use.
Tap-to-Pack introduces a "Rodent-Free" packing standard: a workflow where the packer's hands stay on the product, their eyes stay on the work, and the software fades into the background.
The device guides the packer through two feedback systems:
ShipHero customers running Tap-to-Pack are already seeing a 90% reduction in on-screen interactions and a significant increase in the number of orders packed per hour, without adding headcount or changing their warehouse layout.
One of the hardest challenges in fulfillment is absorbing volume quickly, especially during Peak Season, when temporary staff need to reach target productivity fast.
Because Tap-to-Pack's interface is physical and intuitive, there is almost nothing to teach. Pick up the product, follow the light, tap the button. New packers can reach target productivity in minutes rather than hours.
The system is also modular:
Whether you are a growing DTC brand or a high-volume 3PL, Tap-to-Pack is designed so your hardware never becomes a ceiling on what your team can do.
Tap-to-Pack is a programmable, industrial-grade hardware controller that connects to the ShipHero WMS and allows warehouse packers to execute packing station commands, such as printing labels, selecting boxes, and completing orders. All with a single physical button press, eliminating the need for a keyboard and mouse.
The device connects via USB-C and syncs automatically with the ShipHero WMS packing app. It is a true plug-and-play solution: no drivers, no background software, and no manual configuration required.
Yes. Buttons are configurable for a range of packing actions, including Print Label, Complete Order, Select Box Size, and the Hospital function, which flags a problematic order and keeps the line moving without stopping to resolve it on screen.
The system is fully modular. Connect up to two additional 8-button hubs to the Main Hub for a total of 24 programmable buttons, supporting even the most complex multi-step packing workflows.
Tap-to-Pack devices require ShipHero Packing App v1.0 or higher. The current release is v1.1.0.
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Imagine running a warehouse where orders are picked quickly, inventory is accurate, and all operations run smoothly without any errors or delays. Thanks to Artificial Intelligence, this can now become a reality with ease.
AI is transforming warehouse management by enhancing efficiency, intelligence, and the ability to meet the rapid demands of todayâs eCommerce-driven market.
ShipHero is pioneering this revolution with its AI-powered warehouse solutions, setting new industry benchmarks. This article explores ShipHeroâs AI Picking feature, highlighting how itâs transforming warehouse management and enhancing operational efficiency.
The integration of AI technologies, including machine learning, robotics, and predictive analytics, is revolutionizing warehouse operations, driving significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance. These innovations are optimizing processes across various areas, from inventory management to order fulfillment. Below are the key benefits of AI in warehouse management.
A combination of AI technologies is shaping smarter warehouse systems to help revolutionize warehouse management.
ShipHero has taken AI integration to the next level with its AI Picking feature, designed to significantly improve warehouse efficiency. This feature automates the picking process, reducing the reliance on manual labor and enhancing productivity in ways that were once thought impossible.
Letâs dive deeper into how ShipHeroâs AI Picking works and the advantages it offers.
AI Picking optimizes warehouse operations in two key ways:
The AI Picking feature delivers a wide range of benefits:
The transformative power of AI extends far beyond just picking. AI is also revolutionizing other aspects of warehouse management, driving improvements in operational efficiency, inventory management, and safety.
AI automates tasks, reducing errors and increasing speed. Automated sorting and real-time inventory tracking ensure accuracy, while real-time monitoring helps managers adapt and ensure timely deliveries.
AI plays a vital role in maintaining accurate inventory levels. By leveraging predictive analytics, AI can forecast demand and optimize stock levels, helping warehouses avoid both stockouts and overstock situations. This leads to better inventory management and fewer disruptions in supply chains.
AI-driven systems can monitor warehouse conditions to ensure safety and compliance with industry regulations. These systems can analyze warehouse data and predict potential hazards before they occur, proactively reducing risks and ensuring a safer working environment.
AI technologies are playing a transformative role in the supply chain and logistics sectors by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing decision-making.
These intelligent systems effortlessly manage supply chain processes by using data to optimize operations, predict trends, and automate routine tasks. This ultimately reshapes everything, from how goods are moved to stored and delivered.
The future of warehouse management looks promising with greater automation and efficiency, but future warehouse digitization brings challenges, such as high upfront costs and the need for skilled personnel.
AI-powered drones, autonomous robots, and IoT integration are smart warehouse technologies that are revolutionizing warehouse operations. Drones will deliver goods quickly, while robots automate sorting and transportation, thereby reducing the need for manual labor.
IoT and AI integration will enable real-time monitoring and optimization of operations. Smart technology in warehouses is leading to fully automated systems that are faster, scalable, and need minimal human input.
While AI offers immense benefits, businesses must also consider certain challenges. High initial investments in AI technology, data security concerns, and the need for skilled personnel are just a few of the hurdles that must be addressed.
However, with a strategic approach, companies can eliminate the challenges and embrace AIâs full potential to boost accuracy in picking and improve overall warehouse operations.
AI minimizes error by automating tasks like inventory tracking, order picking, and sorting, ensuring greater accuracy and efficiency.
Yes, AI-driven predictive analytics can predict demand, track inventory levels, and improve supply chain efficiency by forecasting needs with greater accuracy to help businesses stay ahead of trends and market fluctuations.
AI solutions are becoming more cost-effective thanks to cloud-based services and subscription pricing models. These options make AI technology more accessible to small businesses, allowing them to take advantage of its benefits without large upfront costs.
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When pallets roll in and loading docks buzz, your warehouseâs receiving process becomes the gatekeeper of inventory accuracy. And if that gate isnât well-guarded with structure, speed, and oversight, errors slip in.
A mislabeled item here, a damaged shipment there, and suddenly your warehouse faces stock discrepancies, late order fulfillment, or even lost customers.
A warehouse receiving process checklist streamlines receiving operations and ensures compliance across teams, regardless of whoâs on shift.
A warehouse receiving process checklist ensures every shipment that enters your facility is properly documented, inspected, and integrated into your inventory system.
Unlike ad hoc or verbal processes, this structured document verifies product condition upon arrival, checks against purchase orders to confirm accuracy, and documents all inspections for future reference.
However, ShipHeroâs digital platform already seamlessly integrates this checklist into your system, automating the tracking of goods from the moment they arrive.
Because it captures critical shipment details, a receiving checklist can double as a warehouse audit checklist sample, especially when preparing for performance reviews or inventory audits.
If youâre looking for ways to improve accuracy and accountability, learning how to audit your warehouse with a structured receiving checklist is a great place to start.
Receiving Checklist Sample 1 Â Â Â Â Â
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A well-structured warehouse receiving process checklist is crucial for ensuring accurate and efficient inventory management. Including the mentioned key components helps streamline the process, reduces errors, and enhances overall warehouse performance.
Hereâs what you must include in your checklist to maintain control and accountability:
This anchors the entire inspection. By referencing the purchase order (PO) number, warehouse teams can verify the received goods against the original order, ensuring the correct items and quantities are delivered.
Having the supplierâs full details improves accountability. If thereâs a delivery issue, this info helps your team evaluate supplier performance and speed up resolution.
Timestamping each delivery helps you review delivery schedules, track shipment delays, and identify potential gaps in receiving coverage.
Here, staff will assess damage or discrepancies, confirm specifications (e.g., size, color), take photos if needed, and record all inspections in case of claims or audits. An effective inventory audit checklist incorporates these inspection protocols to ensure accuracy from the moment goods arrive.
Listing the material name (e.g., product name, SKU, or description) prevents mix-ups during inventory allocation and ensures all items are accounted for. This also helps your Warehouse Management System (WMS) update stock records correctly.
Identifying who delivered and who received the shipment establishes accountability, helps resolve disputes over damaged or missing items, and ensures proper handoff records.
Maintaining proper documentation, such as packing slips, invoices, and bills of lading, facilitates order reconciliation and supports formal audits and record keeping.
A single receiving error often ripples through the entire warehouse. A structured receiving checklist breaks this cycle by establishing clear protocols that coordinate with supply chain operations and create accountability at every step. It drives big improvements in:
This plays out in real operations. A mid-sized clothing retailer had ongoing issues with stock discrepancies during receipt. However, implementing a standardized receiving checklist significantly reduced the number of missing items and stock inaccuracies.
Employees also appreciated having clear instructions to follow, which reduced confusion and helped maintain a smoother workflow during peak delivery periods.
Before drafting your checklist, take a closer look at your existing receiving workflow. Next, identify any inefficiencies and pinpoint areas that could benefit from more structure and consistency.
Choose the data points youâll need based on your warehouse flow, system integration, and team size. Include only whatâs necessary to document key handoff moments.
You can go with paper, but digital formats (via tablets or mobile apps) are easier to scale. Software-based checklists can instantly update records and integrate with your WMS.
Use inventory management platforms or cloud-based tools to build your checklist. For example, ShipHeroâs template system allows you to configure fields, set mandatory requirements, and establish workflow rules that guide staff through the receiving process. This makes sure every receiving action is consistent and auditable.
Train staff to make sure every team member follows standardized procedures. This minimizes human error, especially for new or seasonal workers.
Roll out the checklist during a test period. Assign clear roles (e.g., receiver, inspector), gather feedback, and then launch warehouse-wide. Revisit and refine it quarterly to keep up with operational changes.
Your warehouse receiving checklist works even better when paired with these best practices:
Spacing out deliveries helps reduce bottlenecks and allows teams sufficient time to track inventory levels accurately. It also allows for more accurate inspections.
Keep receiving areas clutter-free and near the entrance. This shortens the time it takes to organize storage locations after goods are received.
Invest in equipment such as barcode scanners, conveyors, or forklifts to speed up receiving operations, especially during peak seasons.
Donât let broken items enter inventory. Flag them, document the issue, and notify procurement so the issue can be escalated quickly.
By leveraging real-time inventory tracking and barcode scanning, you can eliminate the need for manual checklists, ensuring that every received item is accurately logged. ShipHero automates the entire receiving workflow, reducing human errors and speeding up the process.
Customizable receiving workflows allow you to tailor the system to your warehouseâs specific needs, eliminating the need for paper-based checklists. Improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency, all with ShipHeroâs advanced automation tools.
At least annually, or anytime your business introduces a new product line, supplier, or technology upgrades.
Absolutely. Cross-training builds flexibility, enabling teams to cover for absences and maintain efficiency even during peak periods or periods of high turnover.
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One missed check can cost you thousands of dollars. You may have a damaged pallet, a missing fire extinguisher, or a skipped safety step that can put your team at risk.
Warehouse daily checklists serve as a pilotâs pre-flight checklist. Before takeoff, every switch, lever, and system is checked. Why? Because skipping one step can lead to serious problems. The same goes for your warehouse.
Without a solid checklist, you risk delays, missed shipments, or worse, accidents and safety violations. A checklist ensures your team follows the right procedures and nothing falls through the cracks.
Hereâs everything you need to include in a warehouse daily checklist, its definition, and templates you could use to get started fast.
A warehouse daily checklist is a structured form that helps warehouse staff systematically inspect, verify, and record essential tasks on a daily basis. It covers all the daily to-dos that keep your warehouse operations running smoothly and safely, such as inventory tracking and forklift inspections.
The warehousing and storage industry reported an injury rate of 4.8 per 100 full-time workers, nearly double the national average of 2.7. Following a daily warehouse checklist ensures the right procedures and safety protocols are followed and nothing important gets missed.
A great warehouse daily checklist supports the safety of your warehouse, reduces errors, and keeps your workflow on point. Hereâs how to make a checklist that your warehouse workers will actually use and benefit from.
Every component of your checklist ensures your facility, staff, and inventory remain safe, compliant, and productive.
Common components include:
Instructions should be clear and structured to help your team move through inspections efficiently and consistently.
Your daily warehouse checklist doesnât have to be very detailed and complicated. It needs to be thorough, practical, and easy to follow.
Hereâs how to build a great one:
When your checklist comprehensively details the tasks in a concise manner, it becomes a tool that delivers massive impact. This ensures your warehouse operations run smoothly, safely, and efficiently.
Ready to skip the setup and just get started? Feel free to copy our Warehouse Daily Checklist Template to your Google Docs or Microsoft Word document. Itâs accessible, user-friendly, and 100% customizable to your needs.
Simply plug in your specific details, and youâre set. Itâs built to save time, support compliance, and help you manage your daily workflow like a pro.
ShipHeroâs Warehouse Management System (WMS) boosts warehouse efficiency by automating key processes like inventory tracking, order picking, and shipping. By streamlining these workflows, it reduces manual labor, minimizing errors and delays.
The systemâs real-time data updates allow staff to make quick, informed decisions, improving overall productivity. Customizable features enable businesses to adapt ShipHero to their specific operational needs, further enhancing efficiency. With ShipHero, warehouses can achieve faster turnaround times, reduced costs, and improved accuracy.
Review a warehouse daily checklist, weekly, or monthly to maintain accuracy and relevance. Frequent reviews help align the checklist with workflow changes, new safety protocols, or operational updates.
Yes, you can customize a warehouse daily checklist template. Most templates are designed to be modified based on team size, warehouse layout, and operational goals. Customization improves relevance and usability across different warehouse environments.
Yes, basic instruction and simple training on how to use the checklist ensure employees understand how to follow the checklist, report issues, and meet safety or performance standards. Training improves consistency and accountability across shifts.
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Sustainability has reared its beautiful head towards the supply chain industry, and started with its biggest polluter, ocean shipping. In what has been dubbed shippingâs decarbonization âmoonshotâ, a $5 billion proposal has been formally sent to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), calling for mandatory contributions from every shipping company in the world at approximately $2 per tonne of bunker fuel.
The proposal, backed by all major global shipping associations, aims to quickly advance R&D for zero-carbon maritime technologies and the development of working prototypes, as well as CO2 reduction projects in developing countries.
In a joint press release from nine of the worldâs largest global shipping companies, they state âzero-carbon technologies do not yet exist that can be applied at scale to large ocean-going ships. A well-funded R&D programme, which the industry has agreed to pay for within a global regulatory framework, needs to commence immediately under the supervision of the UN IMO.â
Since the European Parliament voted to include the shipping industry in their 2022 carbon market, and also backed a -40% greenhouse gas efficiency target to be reached by 2030, the US and China have also been evaluating similar emissions trading schemes.
Shipping associations hope that this proposal will curtail regional legislation efforts that would impose higher carbon taxes and more stringent regulation. Some environmental groups have claimed that this âmoonshotâ and $5 billion figure is much too small, and merely a tactic to avoid government interference
Yes, it is. With this proposal, the shipping industry must pay, one way or another, for their carbon footprint. It wonât be long for the spotlight to shine on the rest of the supply chain, and it is put under the same scrutiny as shipping. The proposal backers hope to get it ratified at the next IMOâs Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) later this year. If you havenât already looked at the sustainability of your supply chain, now is the time.
On Wednesday, the final version of President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill (AKA the American Rescue Plan Act) was approved by the House and sent to Bidenâs desk for signature.
The American Rescue Plan will send $1,400 in direct payments to those with an annual salary up to $75,000, and it also includes:
Aaahhhh, sweet economic stabilization.
Walmart announced that they will be repurposing one North Dallas location into a fulfillment center dedicated entirely to online delivery and curbside pickup, with no more in-store shopping. As a proverbial canary in the low-price coal mine, this could signal a permanent shift towards local delivery and curbside pickup over conventional brick-and-mortar shopping.
Continuing their effort to modernize and keep up with eCommerce culture, Walmart has begun offering free samples with their grocery pick-up and also for customers that sign up for the Walmart+ subscription service.
Whatâs trending on Chinaâs online shopping platform Taobao? A statue of Trump as Buddha with the slogan 'make your company great again', of course! A Trump toilet brush is also among Taobao's top-rated Trump-related merchandise.
Quiz for the true golfers: Cabretta leather is obviously the key ingredient for golf gloves⌠but did you know itâs not actually leather? Learn with us on Episode FORE of Objects! with ShipHero the rough business of golf gloves with Adam Karger, co-founder of Scotch & Skins. And remember: if the glove donât fit, you must check out Scotch & Skinâs line of premium golf gloves and accessories.
Success stories of influencers turned CEO exemplify the new American Dream. Just look at our adorable canine friend Humphrey and his ownerâs brand, Spotted by Humphrey! Learn how to monetize your brand and engage with your audience with The Influencerâs Guide: How to Become a CEO Using Private Labelling.
Does Greta Thunberg haunt your dreams? Maybe itâs time your business starts cutting down its packaging and supply chain waste. Learn how with ShipHeroâs Fulfillment Innovation Wheel series -- Sustainable Fulfillment.
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Want to know the most effective and the most important step towards optimizing your warehouse output?
There are plenty of opinions on the internet from reliable experts, with â50+ tips for warehouse efficiencyâ, that cover resolving certain issues or improving minor practices, but we wanted to cut through the noise to find the ONE suggestion that will have the most impact on your supply chain, inventory management and order fulfillment.
We searched for the single pearl of wisdom amongst many best practices and our own warehousing innovations. Notable suggestions to boost warehouse productivity included:
While effective, each of the aforementioned suggestions rely on one major capability, and without it, your supply chain will NEVER improve productivity. So, what is the #1 capability for improving your warehouse productivity?
Simply put, your business must have the right tools in place to measure and access vital data relating to the productivity of your warehouse in each departmental area. The quality of the information you receive directly impacts how effectively you set realistic productivity goals and speed up work pace in a sustainable manner.
Picking, packing, and inventory replenishment are the three areas of focus when beginning to make systemic improvements to your warehouse. Itâs important not to measure everything at once; rather, start by identifying your biggest cost-drivers or bottlenecks and address those first, such as labor hours, units of work, etc. In each area of focus, ask yourself the following questions:
Picking is the process of walking through the warehouse and selecting products that constitute one or more orders. You can begin measuring this process by asking the following:
Packing is the process of verifying the order contents and putting the ordered items into the shipping package. You can begin measuring this process by asking the following:
Inventory replenishment is the process of restocking bins with products so that orders can be picked, and errors in replenishment can result in serious cascading bottlenecks in the picking and packing processes. You can begin measuring this process by asking the following:
The most efficient supply chains run on information. The key to improving warehouse productivity is asking the right questions, measuring the actual outcome, and planning for incremental improvements. Without measurements and benchmarks, you will be stuck reacting to issues, rather than proactively planning and systematically working towards a better warehouse.
ShipHero WMS constantly strives to provide you with the information that you need to make intelligent decisions regarding your warehouse management and order fulfillment. Thatâs why we built the HeroBoard -- a personalized dashboard designed to give an at-a-glance view of your fulfillment operations.
The HeroBoard overview dashboard refreshes every 30 seconds for real-time monitoring of your shipments. Want to get into the specifics? HeroBoard users can easily drill down into specific order information for better customer service and flexible decision-making.
The Live Shipping Board is the newest update to the HeroBoard that gives you a view into the stats for each packer, remaining orders, and more!Schedule a demo today.
ShipHero recently launched The Fulfillment Innovation Wheel to help 3PLs understand what capabilities and service offerings they need to implement in order to be successful and to help online retailers and brands choose which 3PL is right for them by allowing them to âcheck the boxesâ.
The Fulfillment Innovation Wheel listed a set of twelve (12) capabilities that fulfillment providers and logistics companies should implement to continually delight their customers and push themselves towards greater success and innovation.
The twelve capabilities are:
In this article, we will be diving into Capability #7: Distributed fulfillment.
âAnd be sure to stay tuned for future articles as we deep-dive into each capability.
Quiz for the e-commerce gurus out there. Which of these two options makes more sense from a business standpoint: Deliver your products from nearby OR deliver your products from far away? Take your time, we all donât have MBAs.
Businesses who want to reduce delivery times and keep costs low will opt to deliver their products from a nearby location, but as an online business reachable by customers all over the United States, how is that possible? The solution: Distributed Fulfillment.
Distributed Fulfillment is the secret to how the e-commerce giants can deliver free 1-2 day shipping nationwide, and the concept is simple: intelligently bring inventory and fulfillment centers closer to your customers.
The advantages of distributed fulfillment are:
Reducing the distance between fulfillment centers and your customerâs doorstep leads to lower costs, faster delivery times, and reduced carbon emissions. This also allows your business to offer free shipping or guaranteed two-day shipping, which are huge online purchase drivers and pretty much the standard in todayâs market.
With the right tools in place, managing your inventory is simple. Warehousing companies and fulfillment providers like ShipHero offer Warehouse Management Software (WMS) to give business owners complete oversight and control into their supply chain, so that they can make intelligent decisions on where to store their inventory and how to ship their product.
Donât be at the mercy of mother nature or shipping bottlenecks from traditional carriers. Distributed fulfillment gives you a diversified and robust supply chain that you and your customers can rely on to ship, no matter the circumstance.
For all these reasons, e-commerce giants like Amazon and Walmart are successfully employing this logistics model for e-commerce fulfillment and retailers that piggyback off of their distributed fulfillment network seeing fantastic results.
For in-house fulfilment (i.e., creating a fulfillment network yourself), a high amount of initial capital is required to lease warehouse space across the country, distribute the inventory, then continuously monitor and optimize your inventory management and order fulfillment.
Luckily for small to medium-sized businesses looking to compete, 3PLs and outsourced fulfillment providers like ShipHero are creating massive distributed fulfillment networks around the country, and are ready to deliver your e-commerce.
Our customers love that ShipHero can easily offer 2-day shipping anywhere in the contiguous United States at simple and transparent pricing. We are also able to prioritize ground shipping, making for a resilient and eco-friendly supply chain. We attribute this success on the Fulfillment Innovation Wheel to Capability #7: Distributed Fulfillment.
âStay tuned next as we cover Capability #7: Resilient Shipping! Viva la Resilience. ShipHero.
Learn more about ShipHero's industry-leading warehouse management software.
Today we venture deep into the minds of our customers to answer the age-old, controversial marketing question: does offering a âfree gift with purchaseâ actually do anything?
Spoiler alert: yes, it does⌠but it doesnât have the effect that you may expect.
Using case studies and scientific research, letâs look at the psychological effects of the free gift with purchase (GWP) to determine if itâs right for your business, or if there are more effective promotional campaigns.
First, why do companies provide a free gift with purchase? What are they trying to achieve?
Online retailers that offer a free gift with purchase (GWP), which is less than 50% of companies, believe that the added value of a free gift will inspire repeat purchases, increase brand loyalty, and stimulate social and word-of-mouth advertising. Companies that offer free GWP include:
Kinder (confectionary) -- free toy
Eileen Fisher (apparel) -- free organic ditty bag
Bentley (cologne) -- free chrome Bentley key ring
And more...
These case studies have been reported by companies that specialize in creating customized GWP for their clients, but do the benefits hold up under scientific scrutiny?
The answer... yes, but not how youâd expect.
As retailers constantly innovate promotional offers to provide more value to their customers, the âtwo items for the price of oneâ sales method has been framed using two distinct promotional tactics: the free gift, and the bundle⌠and it turns out how you frame the exact same deal actually has different psychological effects on your consumers.
For example, if your business sells household supplies, your promotions could be either:
Studies have shown that bundle offerings and free gift offerings tend to influence the perceived value of products themselves, rather than their opinions of the company offering the gift. Also, the promotional frame has an impact on product return rates!
Effects of Gift with Purchase
With a free gift promotion, the âfree itemâ or âgiftâ is perceived as less valuable by the customer, while the focal item is valued more. Therefore, customers are less likely to buy the free item after the sale, but more likely to purchase the main item.
Of course, the likelihood of repurchase is directly related to how effective the gift promotion is in increasing the value of the main item, so if that value increases to surpass the customerâs intrinsic repurchase threshold, then they will buy again.
Additionally, with a free gift promotion, customers are less likely to return an item, because the perceived loss of giving back a âfreeâ item is too high.
Effects of Bundle
In a bundle promotion, the opposite is true. The main item is perceived as less valuable, while the bundled item is valued more. Therefore, customers are less likely to purchase the main item as a single item, but the supplementary item is more likely to be purchased as a standalone
With a bundled promotion, customers do not mind returning an item included in a bundle.
TLDR; offer free gift promotion if you want to reduce return rates and sell more of the main product at the expense of the gifted product; offer a bundle if you want to sell more of the supplementary product at the cost of the main product.
The proven effects of âfree gift with purchaseâ promotion are not proven to inspire net-increase in repeat purchases; rather, the promotion should be used to increase/decrease the perceived value of one focal item at the expense of a supplementary item. Also, the free gift promotion reduces actual return rates as well as the customerâs desire to return.
HOWEVER, these studies imply only the probability that customers purchase again, and this likelihood varies based on the personalization and relevance of the free gift and/or bundle.
Thatâs why there exists a vast amount of consumer data analysis tools and companies that make large profits off of customized gifts with purchase.
There does exist a customer group where the free gift with purchase has had immense, proven success: with products geared towards children.
Youâre certainly familiar with the Happy Meal toy, which was so effective at marketing to children that McDonaldâs was sued by a California mother in 2010 who claimed that the fast food chain used toys to unfairly attract children. Â
In the listed case study above, Kinder successfully offers a free childâs toy with purchase of chocolate, and there exist highly lucrative marketing teams like Kidoz that offer safe advertising and Gift With Purchase creation for children.
The positive results from a child-facing GWP campaign stem from two main factors:
Weâre not saying all GWP campaigns should be geared towards children, itâs just that these are the only ones with a proven record for having net-increases in repeat customers and word-of-mouth advertising (theyâre lovinâ it).
E-commerce has certainly been in the spotlight this past year, but who has really been stealing the show? Thieves, of course. Package theft is on the rise, as illustrated in a recent report, which showed that approximately 43% of Americans reported having a package stolen, a 7% increase from 2019. Of these theft victims, 64% of them say theyâve had packages stolen more than once. Whatâs to account for the rise in theft?
Approximately 59% (+5% YoY) of Americans receive a package at least weekly, and 10% (+5% YoY) receive a package daily. Thatâs way more packages being left on the doorstep, and although the average value of the items has decreased, this does not seem to stop porch pirates from throwing up their hood and grabbing what they can.http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_TSR_v07m0ICYMI: Watch the amazing Glitter Bomb 2.0 vs Porch Pirates video
âYOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS!â you may have exclaimed to the heavens when you watch a thief grab your $3 toe clippers on your home security system. âBut, who actually pays for this?â, you may have wondered as you pace around with your hawk talons clacking against the hardwood floors. (true story)
Well the answer is, if the shipper says that the package was delivered and the buyer states that it was not received, the seller is no longer liable. However, in most cases of a stolen package, the retailer or seller issues a refund or agrees to replace the item to preserve their customer experience. Amazonâs A-Z Guarantee program pretty much guarantees that purchases made from their retail partners will almost always be refunded or replaced if the package goes missing.
Some businesses may ask customers to file a claim with the shipper before issuing a refund or replacement.
For sellers, traditional shipping carriers such as UPS, USPS, and FedEx offer optional shipping insurance for a fee; however, this only covers so much. FedEx caps their liability at $100 and will only increase this if the package is packed and shipped at a FedEx location. Even then, it only increases to $1,000 for items like jewelry, artwork, collectibles, and antiques.
Ultimately, the brands are responsible for making sure that their products reach their customers. So besides installing guard dogs as a nice âgift with purchaseâ, the most effective way that brands can combat package theft is to offer customers more ways to receive their products. The most common have been curbside pickup and local delivery. You can also schedule for in-person delivery and require signatures.
When deciding to outsource your fulfillment, be aware of your 3PLs Terms and Conditions surrounding stolen goods, and ask what your fulfillment provider can do. For example, in the case of stolen goods, ShipHero files claims with Carriers on your behalf, up to a certain value. Read more about ShipHero Fulfillmentâs stolen goods FAQ here and our T&Cs.
According to the International Maritime Organization, international shipping contributes ~3% of annual carbon-dioxide emissions. To combat this, shipping companies seek to replace petroleum with a new fuel source, ammonia (NH3).
Why ammonia? Well⌠*deep breath in* this colorless fuel emits no carbon dioxide when burned, Itâs abundant, it can be made using renewable electricity, water, and air, both fuel cells and internal combustion engines can use it, it doesnât have to be stored in high-pressure tanks or cryogenic dewars like hydrogen, and it has 10 times the energy density of a lithium-ion battery.
The only problem is that no shipping carriers today are equipped to use ammonia as a fuel source. But by 2024, Viking Energy is set to become the first shipping vessel propelled by ammonia fuel cells, powered by several Norwegian-based companies.
NASA successfully landed their Mars Rover, Wall-e -- I mean, Perseverance on the Red Planet last week. The videos of the landing immediately went viral, and in typically nerdy fashion, people began uncoding Easter Eggs hidden throughout the footage. In one such hidden message, the parachute was allegedly stitched in binary code that read âDare Mighty Thingsâ, a quote from President Teddy Roosevelt.
What would you do if your dog became an internet sensation? Well, thatâs what happened with ShipHero customer Yong-Soo and his French Bulldog, Humphrey!
Spotted By Humphrey - âwith its quirky name for a shop that has the personality to matchâ - is a community-driven online destination for dog parents around the world who are looking to find something special and unique for their dogs.
Learn how they turned Instagram fame to a successful ecommerce business with our newest doggone ShipHero Case Study.
Need a sick pump for your e-commerce business? Learn how the dietary supplement industry used three simple strategies to get bulging revenue gains of over 40% this year, outpacing overall e-commerce by 12%... and they say itâs âall-naturalâ.
These days, your products probably travel more than you do⌠But donât be jealous, multimodal and intermodal fulfillment options are becoming more common as technology allows for seamless communication between carriers. On our Shipping Methods Explained series, we deep-dive into Multimodal vs. Intermodal fulfillment options, so you can determine if itâs right for your business.
Are you bogged down by the day-to-day tasks of running a business, desperate for time to focus on your strategy? Automation is the answer you need, and your fulfillment provider should be just the one to provide it. In ShipHeroâs Fulfillment Innovation Wheel series - Automation, we give a glimpse into our Automation Cookbook to show you how automation can improve your speed and efficiency.
ShipHero recently launched The Fulfillment Innovation Wheel to help 3PLs understand what capabilities and service offerings they need to implement in order to be successful and to help online retailers and brands choose which 3PL is right for them by allowing them to âcheck the boxesâ.
The Fulfillment Innovation Wheel listed a set of twelve (12) capabilities that fulfillment providers and logistics companies should implement to continually delight their customers and push themselves towards greater success and innovation.
The twelve capabilities are:
In this article, we will be diving into Capability #3: At the box personalization.
âAnd be sure to stay tuned for future articles as we deep-dive into each capability.
At the Box Personalization is all the little details in your productâs unboxing experience that truly make customers fall in love with your brand. Imagine getting an unexpected hand-written note, a coupon, or a gift in the box along with your order.
All the excitement and gratitude experienced by the thoughtful presentation of your items generates customer loyalty, while also providing a targeted marketing channel for cross-sell and upsell of items. Not to mention, 59% of Americans receive packages weekly, and 10% receive packages daily. That is quite a large marketing audience in terms of packagingâŚ
By pairing At the Box Personalization with modern-day customer data and analysis, retailers can give more personal, more thoughtful experiences than ever before; say, a gift that they truly love or a coupon for an item they had considered purchasing. You may not sell to Brad Pitt, but your customers will be screaming âWHATâS IN THE BOXâ every time they open your package with these benefits of At the Box Personalization:
Corporations have been successfully using At the Box Personalization for decades, with some customers fully relying on Youtube unboxing videos to guide their purchases, and you can see unboxing ideas all over on Pinterest.
In todayâs competitive e-commerce market, most retailers do not manufacture unique goods, so your market differentiators are going to live in that extra âwow factorâ. At the Box Personalization is proven to cultivate brand loyalty and give customers that jolt of consumer surplus that only comes with getting more bang for your buck -- thatâs right, weâve all been conditioned by the Happy Meals toy.
Along with the purchased item, retailers can incentivize cross-selling and upselling other products, essentially transforming your packaging into a targeted marketing channel. You can include coupons for relevant or wishlist items, or you can include a gift that requires purchase of other features or parts. And because this occurs in the post-sale phase of the buyerâs journey, it wonât come off as another sales gimmick.
The sky is truly the limit when providing high-quality personalization to your customers, so donât get weighed down by your 3PL or fulfillment provider. Many fulfillment providers today simply do not provide At the Box Personalization because it reduces efficiency and increases costs.
However, smart fulfillment companies like ShipHero continually innovate their capabilities to offer you a wide range of At the Box Personalization options. Our customers love that ShipHero can easily customize their unboxing experience. We attribute this success on the Fulfillment Innovation Wheel to Capability #3: At the Box Personalization.
âStay tuned next as we cover Capability #7: Distributed Fulfillment! Fulfill Your Dreams⌠Everywhere. ShipHero.
Learn more about ShipHero's industry-leading warehouse management software.
Look at those gains, bro. Over the last year, the dietary supplement industry has boasted bulging sales growth of 40%, outpacing overall e-commerce by 12%, and they swear itâs all-naturalâŚ
The pandemic has certainly brought more awareness to immunity, and overall health and wellness; in fact, 77% of American adults consume dietary supplements, and the average American spends around $56 per month on dietary supplements.
Of course, there are other ways to increase immunity and health, such as at-home workout products and healthy meal kits, but those havenât grown at nearly the same rate as supplements. So that begs the question...
âHow have supplement companies dominated e-commerce?After searching through the supplement industriesâ gym bag of secrets, we found that the true secret to their success with the injection of three strategies: (Serving size: one scoop of each)
Disclaimer: Ingestion of the following strategies will give you and your e-commerce business a sick pump.
The Subscription Model, or âSubscribe & Saveâ, is where customers subscribe to weekly, monthly or seasonal purchases and receive discounts upwards of 15% off. Think content streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, recurring subscription box companies like BirchBox, and more recently, supplement and vitamin companies.
Companies that employ the subscription model offer recurring products or services, rather than the traditional, one-time transaction. Brands and businesses that have utilized this approach have reported better customer relationships, improved aggregate data, and more diversity in product offerings.
Turn Customers in Subscribers
âMost large companies report that new customers only generate 15 to 25% percent of their revenues, which means that return customers generate the bulk of the revenue. Focusing on return customers and subscribers reduces acquisition costs of targeting new customers, while cultivating brand loyalty.
Gather More Fruitful Customer Data
âAs reported by Shopify, modeling and storing subscription data allows your company to better engage with your audience and create targeted content along the customer journey. In fact, many large brands develop separate marketing strategies for subscribers and non-subscribers, as well as strategies to convert non-subscribers to subscribers, including email campaigns and targeted discounts for subscription and account creation.
Sell the Same Product in Multiple Ways
âThe subscription model gives brands the creative freedom to understand how their customers would prefer to engage with their products and services.
Beyond the price discount, supplement companies could offer subscribers access to free delivery, early bird offers, free trials or samples, gifts with purchase, and much more. As you learn from your subscribers, you are free to adjust your product offerings to better meet their needs!
If you want to learn more about how to create a successful subscription model, check out our blog.
Bundles, or as theyâre called in the dietary supplement industry -- stacks. Supplement stacks are a bundled variety of supplements for one specific health goal; for example, popular supplement stacks are for the ketogenic diet, weight loss, muscle gain and more.
Bundling products allows companies to cross-sell, provide a more convenient shopping experience, and give customers more flexibility.
Cross-Sell
âBundles are the perfect way for supplement companies to cross-sell products. By intelligently combining multiple products into one item, supplement companies bundle their popular and top-selling supplements with products that normally might not sell on their own (looking at you L-Carnitine). Also, if you have multiple flavors of a gut-drink for example, you can bundle together a variety pack!
Convenience
âWith just one click, customers can purchase all the supplements that they need. And if you are using the subscription model, their supplements will be auto-fulfilled based on their desired cadence!
Flexibility
âSome supplement providers like G Fuel offer their customers the flexibility of building their own bundles -- BYOB but healthy!
Any supplement company can promise a lucrative subscription model with convenient and flexible bundling options; but in reality, these are extremely complicated to pull off without the right inventory management and order fulfillment process.
In fact, most 3PLs and fulfillment providers simply donât offer the customization and bundling options that supplement companies need. Thatâs why you need to supplement your business with the right fulfillment provider.
Convenient Bundling
âThrough traditional fulfillment methods, creating and shipping customized bundles, kits or bulk orders can be highly complex and downright costly. By offering a subscription service, your brand can sell a variety of items in a variety of ways, so brand owners must be able to group orders quickly and pick a lot of the same product at once, making the fulfillment process quick and simple.Thatâs why ShipHero is dedicated to supporting our subscription-based and bundle supplement companies with our newest capability, BulkShip!BulkShip is an intuitive interface to design preassembled bundles of products, such as a BodyBuilding Stack or a more flexible bundle that would get assembled at fulfillment - like the Build-Your-Own-Bundle option.
Safe Storage and Transport
âSupplements must be stored in cool, dry areas, or they risk discoloration, odor, and deterioration. Make sure that your fulfillment provider can take the necessary precautions to protect your inventory in a safe, secure, and climate controlled environment, and take care during the transportation.
Reliable Shipping
âSupplements and vitamins are taken regularly and on set cadences, so having a reliable shipping carrier with built-in resiliency is of the utmost importance. This year has shown that even the most popular carriers, FedEx, UPS and Amazon, are all subject to delays and unreliable shipping times. Thatâs why ShipHero has seen a huge surge of supplement companies looking to diversify their shipping methods, so that their customers and subscribers receive their supplements when theyâre supposed to.
Welcome to our Shipping Methods Explained blog series. In this series, we will deep dive into fulfillment methods - that is, how businesses fulfill their online orders and get products to their customers.
Sounds simple right? Well, in theory it is. You could hop on your itty-witty bicycle and hand-deliver your product, mission accomplished. But consider the complexity when your company fulfills hundreds to thousands of orders daily, not to mention the skyrocketing shipping costs that could price you out of the market.
Managing inventory, navigating each carriersâ specific requirements, calculating the lowest cost from thousands of shipping options⌠itâs a daunting task. Thatâs why more and more businesses are outsourcing their fulfillment methods.
Are you ready to outsource your fulfillment? Letâs analyze your options to help you decide the best method for your business. In this article, weâll discuss Multimodal and Intermodal Shipping. What is multimodal and intermodal shipping? What are the pros/cons of each? How do they compare/contrast and which one right for my business, if any? Letâs dive in.
â(Check out our previous articles on Dropshipping, FaaS, and FBA/FBM. And be sure to check back for future articles where weâll cover even more fulfillment methods)
Multimodal transport is also known as âcombined transportâ because the products are moved using different modes of transportation along the fulfillment journey, but under the terms of a single contract and facilitated by a multimodal transport operator (MTO). Whether by road, sea, air or rail, or a combination of them all, the MTO is liable for the entire journey from beginning to end, although they often use sub-contracted carriers that specialize in each mode of transportation.
âIntermodal transport involves the use of an intermodal container which carries products throughout the entire fulfilment journey; regardless of the type of transportation, the same intermodal container will be offloaded from one method and loaded onto the next without ever moving the product inside.
The main difference between multimodal and intermodal transport is: 1) how the product is transferred between transportation modes, and 2) how the contracts are made with each carrier.
With multimodal transport, the products or commodities are loaded and unloaded into transportation-specific containers when transferring, say, between sea and rail, rail and ground, etc. Excessive product transfer may result in product damage or loss; you may have heard the phrase âfallen out of a truckâ when asking your relative about an expensive purse they clearly canât afford. In fact, product damage during transportation costs up to $0.48 per pallet annually, which certainly adds up over time with larger supply chains.
This is the benefit of intermodal transport, because the products are loaded into a single intermodal container to be used for several modes of transportation. The products themselves will remain secure as the container itself is loaded and offloaded from a truck, train, ship or air freight.
Using one intermodal container allows for safer packing of products, which results in less damage and loss, as well as quicker and more efficient movement between freight methods. For this reason, intermodal transport tends to be less costly than multimodal transport.
During a multimodal transport, the shipper creates a single contract with the Multimodal Transport Operator (MTO), which is wholly responsible for the cargo from the origin to the end destination. This allows the shipper to simplify the communication process by just working with a sole transport provider or agent. Also, the simplified communication allows for more accurate shipping updates, tracking notifications, and opportunities for optimization. On the other hand, the shipper must rely on the MTO to select the best/cheapest routes for their cargo, and flexibility is limited.
Conversely, during an intermodal transport, the shipper must create multiple contracts with individual carriers. While there is only one intermodal container, it will be passed between many liable parties, increasing the complexity for the shipper in terms of communication and optimization across carriers; however, the shipper has more flexibility to independently choose each leg of the fulfillment journey.
In summary:
âMultimodal Transport
Intermodal Transport
In conclusion, shippers must determine if multimodal or intermodal is the right choice given their circumstances, i.e., is your product fragile or at risk of damage/loss, do you have the resources to schedule and manage carrier contracts, etc. Thankfully, smart fulfillment providers and 3PLs like ShipHero can help you determine the best way to ship.
Be sure to stay tuned to our Shipping Methods Explained series as we deep dive into the specifics of fulfillment.
Learn more about ShipHeroâs industry-leading warehouse management software.
Move over Air Bud⌠Humphrey the French Bulldog may not be able to sink a three pointer, but he can sell dog accessories while saving the planet like it's nobodyâs business. Except, it is his business! Enter: Spotted By Humphrey -- a specialty dog boutique with a playfully curated selection of thoughtfully-designed, well-made, premium dog accessories, which comes along with a promise of net-neutral climate emissions.
Spotted By Humphrey - âwith its quirky name for a shop that has the personality to matchâ - is a community-driven online destination for dog parents around the world who are looking to find something special and unique for their dogs.
Humphrey aka Spotted Humphrey (@spottedhumphrey) has over 120K followers on Instagram, and is the inspiration behind the business, as founders Sandy and Yong-Soo Chung (also Humphreyâs parents) wanted to create a shop that would make the experience of shopping for your dog just as fun and community-oriented as Humphreyâs Instagram.
Naturally, social media plays a key element in the shopâs marketing strategy; however, both Sandy and Yong-Soo believe that their success largely comes from establishing a strong operational foundation, which ultimately creates a better experience for their customers.
Having founded his own ecommerce shop Urban EDC Supply prior to the launch of Spotted By Humphrey, Yong-Soo leveraged his existing ecommerce experience to establish Spotted By Humphrey, which Sandy has taken on and grown organically ever since. Yong-Soo eventually founded an all-encompassing ecommerce brand accelerator with the first ever net-negative carbon emitting 3PL in the industry, so every shipment that goes out actually benefits the planet instead of harming it.
"Frustrated by the lack of accountability and execution, I decided to take fulfillment in-house. First, we used another WMS other than ShipHero. It was slow, we had a lot of mis-shipments, and it was difficult tracking inventory. When I finally stumbled upon ShipHero, it was a game changer. The software was intuitive to use and it had a lot more features that made it easier to streamline our fulfillment operations."
-- Yong-Soo, Founder and CEO of GrowthJet
Yong-Soo utilizes ShipHeroâs warehouse management software across his ecommerce brand accelerator, GrowthJet, along with his two internal brands, Spotted By Humphrey and Urban EDC Supply, a boutique everyday carry shop. So we asked Humphrey and Yong-Soo to âsit, stay and roll overâ what made ShipHero the right choice for his business.
ShipHero: Humphrey, tell us about your business(es).
Humphrey: OUAF OUAF!
SH: Ah, I donât speak French. Yong-Soo, care to translate?
Yong-Soo: âIn a nutshell, GrowthJet is an ecommerce brand accelerator with two internal brands, Urban EDC Supply (launched 2015) & Spotted By Humphrey (launched 2018).
Urban EDC Supply is an everyday carry shop with a strong focus on the EDC and knife community. We collaborate with world-renowned designers like Jesper Voxnaes to create stylish and functional everyday carry gear for our community of gear enthusiasts. Taking a page out of the streetwear clothing culture, weekly drops feature a limited supply of exclusive goods that sell out within hours, and sometimes minutes, or even a few seconds. While thereâs a wide range of goods available for sale, some of these high-end collectibles can sell for as much as $2,000.
Spotted By Humphrey is a specialty dog boutique inspired by our french bulldog, Humphrey. As of today, Humphrey has 120k followers (@spottedhumphrey) on Instagram. We wanted to create a shop that would make the experience of shopping for your dog fun and community-oriented. Sandy and Humphrey made an appearance on the first episode of Shopifyâs âGuess My Hustleâ series (produced by Portal A, an award-winning digital studio), as well as Shopifyâs âNew Moneyâ series (episode titled, âHow To Make Money In The Million Dollar Dog Accessories Industryâ).
Having built two fast-growing brands, in 2019, several colleagues approached us asking about our product photography, our fulfillment operations, and other e-commerce related ops questions. We decided to build and launch GrowthJet as the backbone infrastructure support to grow e-commerce brands. We've been growing very quickly through word-of-mouth ever since.â
SH: During your journey, you went from using a third party logistics (3PL) provider to fulfilling on your own. What was the catalyst for this switch?
Yong-Soo: âWhen I launched Urban EDC Supply back in October 2015 from my one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, I did a tremendous amount of research on finding the best 3PL. After weeks of digging in, I settled on a 3PL that was based here in the Bay Area, and one that had the best reviews and ratings.
Unfortunately, I had one of the most frustrating experiences with this particular 3PL. I lost close to $5,000 worth of inventory due to negligence by the fulfillment staff. There was one particular instance where one of the employees opened up the box that was being shipped to my customer, took the item out, and then shipped out an empty box to my customer in Alaska. It turns out that this particular employee's last day was the next day. When confronted with this news, the employee never returned to collect his final paycheck the next day.
Frustrated by the lack of accountability and execution, I decided to take fulfillment in-house.
SH: Sounds like they were in the doghouse, eh Humphrey?
Humphrey: RUFF!
SH: Too true, too true. So when you were searching for WMS solutions, what were your main fulfillment goals?
Yong-Soo: âWhen we took fulfillment in-house and launched GrowthJet, the main goals were to improve order accuracy through proper barcoding, speed up the process of fulfillment, and generally, have more accountability and insight into our shipment data.
For us, the [most important criteria] was our ability to have an open dialogue with our fulfillment center. When we needed something, calling a phone number and being greeted by a "voice mailbox is full" message is never fun. Neither is sending out an urgent support email and not receiving a response for over a week. So for GrowthJet, we made it a point to be transparent and open to communication. Also, the ability to flex and work collaboratively with the 3PL is an important part of what we do at GrowthJet.â
SH: And why did you choose ShipHero?
Yong-Soo: âFirst, we used another WMS other than ShipHero. It was slow, we had a lot of mis-shipments, and it was difficult tracking inventory. When I finally stumbled upon ShipHero, it was a game changer. The software was intuitive to use and it had a lot more features that made it easier to streamline our fulfillment operations.
Integrating ShipHero was relatively easy, especially with one of the Solutions Engineers Matt D. helping us.â
First, we used another WMS other than ShipHero. It was slow, we had a lot of mis-shipments, and it was difficult tracking inventory. When I finally stumbled upon ShipHero, it was a game changer. The software was intuitive to use and it had a lot more features that made it easier to streamline our fulfillment operations.
SH: Every ShipHero customer is assigned a Solutions Engineer to help simplify the onboarding and integration process because we look after our customers, dawg.
Humphrey: ...
SH: So what was your inspiration for the climate neutral pledge, and how do you plan to become a Carbon Negative 3PL?
Yong-Soo: âWhen we launched GrowthJet, we realized how bad the waste and carbon footprint is for logistics and fulfillment. We think a lot about ecosystems not only for the environment, but the entire lifecycle of every item that comes through our warehouse including packaging materials, pallets, used equipment, etc.
We want to reduce as much as possible, then reuse, then recycle what we can before we decide to throw something away. Even then, we offset the carbon footprint of our garbage by purchasing carbon credits through ClimateNeutral.org.
On top of our Climate Neutral certification, we will be implementing our own tree-planting initiative in 2021. As far as we know, we will be the first carbon negative 3PL in the world. This means that for every package we ship out for our brand partners, we're actually helping our planet fight against climate change. Counter-intuitive, isn't it?
SH: Planting trees to help climate change, care to comment Humphrey?
Humphrey: BARK!
SH: Surprisingly on topic. And what has been the response from your customer base?
Yong-Soo: âOverall, the response from our brand partners has been very positive. They love and appreciate our proactive commitment to saving our planet, rather than being part of the problem. We're also different from most 3PLs in that we're more selective about who we bring on as a partner. We want to make sure we're aligned on values first and foremost. Like any relationship, it's a two-way partnership. We have a bias for thinking long-term so we want to make sure there's a fit first before making a long-term commitment.â
SH: Finally, how has your business been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns?
Yong-Soo: Our business actually saw an increase due to COVID. With e-commerce getting a huge boost, we were fortunate to be in a position of leverage during the pandemic. Of course, there were additional costs such as PPE equipment and being more cognizant of social distancing within the warehouse, but all in all, we feel very lucky to come out of the pandemic stronger than before.
SH: Amazing, thank you for sharing your story and allowing us to write this case study. Humphrey, final thoughts?
Humphrey: WOOF WOOF!
Follow Humphrey and the Spotted By Humphreyâs journey at their website and Instagram.
Website: https://spottedbyhumphrey.com/
Humphreyâs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spottedhumphrey/
Spotted By Humphrey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spottedbyhumphrey/
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ShipHero recently launched The Fulfillment Innovation Wheel to help 3PLs understand what capabilities and service offerings they need to implement in order to be successful and to help online retailers and brands choose which 3PL is right for them by allowing them to âcheck the boxesâ.The Fulfillment Innovation Wheel listed a set of twelve (12) capabilities that fulfillment providers and logistics companies should implement to continually delight their customers and push themselves towards greater success and innovation.The twelve capabilities are:
In this article, we will be diving into Capability #9: Automation. And be sure to stay tuned for future articles as we deep-dive into each capability.
The mundane, the menial, the humdrum, the everyday monotony⌠these are the types of business activities that should and could be automated. Why spend your valuable time copy and pasting shipping information across your systems? Or manually inputting return information? Or constantly checking inventory levels? Let automation work for you!As a business owner, your fulfillment provider should also understand that your time is your most valuable resource. If you are just starting out, you may be able to manually handle it all on your own. But when your business grows bigger and bigger, and the orders are rolling in, you risk spreading yourself too thin, giving yourself no time to get your head above water and focus on your businessâs long-term strategy. If you get to the point where the everyday tasks of your fulfillment process seems to be your only focus, itâs definitely the right time to switch to a fulfillment provider that can automate these for you.
For that reason, ShipHero has partnered with Alloy to unlock smart automations that improve inventory control and warehouse operations with just a few clicks, while integrating ShipHero with 60+ apps to improve the fulfillment experience and grow your business. The few example recipes below from ShipHeroâs automation cookbook give you a glimpse at the power of automation between workflows, and may enlighten you to possibilities you never thought possible. Recipe: Send reorder emails or Slack notifications to staff for low inventory in ShipHeroOur workflow automates reorder emails to be sent to staff when there is low inventory in ShipHero. This ensures that your team can restock inventory at a reasonable pace and without over-stocking, and is a great way to organize the flow of customer traffic and inventory.Recipe: Tag Shopify orders based on ShipHero delivery dateThis workflow tags Shopify orders based on the ShipHero delivery date. This means that all orders are tagged by date allowing you to view which days are busy and how many orders are expected to ship out weekly. Tagging orders is a good way to stay organized especially when your store is expanding globally and there are multiple orders placed on the same day.Recipe: Set a ShipHero threshold to notify store owner of low inventoryThis workflow notifies you when your inventory is low in ShipHero. For instance, inventory levels are updated regularly and you receive inventory levels for each inventory item. When stock is low, you receive a notification. Immediate notifications to store owners are key to restocking your inventory and satisfying your eager customers. These notifications can be sent through Slack and email.Recipe: If an order is still unfulfilled in ShipHero after 2 days, email meThis automation will schedule a workflow after 2 days. Then, it will check to see if the order is unfulfilled for greater than or equal to 2 days. This will trigger an email notification to the store owner. This frees you up from constantly checking the fulfillment status of your orders.Recipe: Automate fulfillment for Gorgias returns requests in ShipHeroThis workflow automates fulfillment for Gorgias return requests in ShipHero. When a customer requests a return on Shippo, a Gorgias request is immediately created and sent. This frees up time from going back and forth between Shippo and Gorgias and ensures no information is lost.Recipe: Cancel ShipHero scheduled delivery if there is a Gorgias requestWith this automation, customers can send in a support ticket for a cancellation request. Once your team marks it as a canceled order, an email is sent to the ShipHero fulfillment team so they wonât fulfill the order.Recipe: Send ShipHero delivery updates via Klaviyo SMSSMS messages can have open rates as high as 98% and youâre not limited to using them for promotional campaigns. With this workflow, you can send delivery updates to customers through a text message to leverage higher open and engagement rates.In addition to the above, Alloy also has delivery update automations for Omnisend SMS, PostScript, SMSBump, and Tone, and more integrations are created all the time.Our customers love the automation capabilities that ShipHero provides. We attribute this success on the Fulfillment Innovation Wheel to Capability #10: Automation.Stay tuned next as we cover Capability #6: Resilient Shipping! Viva la resilience. ShipHero.
Learn more about ShipHero's industry-leading warehouse management software.
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