What you need to know about retail logistics
Optimize your shipping strategy with expert support
In an evolving retail industry, efficient transportation is crucial for business success. Dependable, global shipping partners stand out as a huge asset for retail companies. Whether they’re shipping merchandise, product displays or refurbished products, retailers need a reliable logistics partner to move goods securely and meet changing customer demands.
The right partner can make a huge impact on your bottom line by providing swift cargo transit from warehouses and production facilities straight to your business. Properly managed retail logistics also benefits the consumer, increasing the number of goods available while lowering prices.
The ongoing transformation of retail requires an adaptable, agile logistics provider. As you build out or revamp your retail shipping strategy, take time to review important components of your process, and consider the best way to evaluate potential partners.
Four features to look for in a retail logistics provider
The logistics needs of retailers continuously fluctuate. While the specifics may vary between companies and markets, the underlying qualities of the ideal logistics partner remain the same. As you adjust your retail operations, look for a provider with extensive logistics experience and these four features:
Flexibility
Your stores’ logistics demands may change every year or season. The right logistics provider can adapt to these changes, whether they’re fulfilling new merchandise needs or assembling a product display. Choose a company that offers excellent rates and service across transit methods, including:
- Flex space in any zip code
- Product kitting and labeling
- Technology deployments and rollouts
- Importer of Record (IOR) services
- Pool distribution
- Ocean and air shipping
- International and domestic services (LTL, FTL, expedited)
Expansive network
To get the best service and rates possible, select a retail logistics provider with a wide network of industry connections. Look for companies with strategic airline and ocean carrier relationships, along with a robust global network that includes China, Vietnam and Mexico. Your partner should have experience importing freight to the United States, handling customs clearance, and managing ocean transit and air shipments.
IT capabilities
Your retail shipments are critical to your business, and you shouldn’t be left wondering about their status. In addition to efficient transit of your retail freight, find a logistics company with comprehensive information technology capabilities. Look for features like complete shipment visibility and tracking, reporting, status notifications and data integrations to ensure you’ll remain updated throughout each shipment.
Account management and customer service
Communication is crucial to effective retail logistics. Ensure that your logistics provider has complete oversight throughout shipping and processes designed to keep you informed, such as shipment tracking and a fully responsive support team.
How can AIT help me with retail logistics?
AIT’s wide-ranging retail logistics experience encompasses merchandise, product displays, reverse logistics and more for some of the worlds’ top retail brands. We can leverage any shipping method necessary to quickly bring cargo from the production facility to your store door while adapting to your changing shipping needs.
Our airline relationships and sector diversity, which includes perishables, helps us access the best air rates possible, while our ocean carrier network assists our sea transit operations. We maintain secure transit throughout the supply chain, helping get your products into the hands of consumers as quickly as possible.