The revenue in the clothing and apparel market in the United Kingdom is expected to generate and reach £80.24 billion in 2027. With so many sales channels available to both sellers and customers, diversifying where you sell your products opens up even more opportunities for success.
If you’re an ambitious brand that serves customers in the UK or around the world, I-Fulfilment can help you save costs and time on fulfillment. With our professional teams, innovative technology, and facilities in the UK, EU, and US, you are fully prepared for retail and eCommerce fulfillment.
The Dynamics of eCommerce Apparel Fulfillment
One of the most important components of having a successful eCommerce clothing apparel brand is fulfillment, which includes storing inventory, choosing and packing orders, and, finally, delivering the product to customers.
I-Fulfilment provides rapid, accurate ecommerce shipping worldwide at reasonably priced costs. Not only do we make pricing open and easy to understand, but we also provide benefits for critical components of the ecommerce fulfillment process. I-Fulfilment is experienced in fulfilling a wide range of apparel, including:
- Women’s Wear
- Men’s Wear
- Children, toddler, and baby wear
- Clothing accessories such as hats, gloves, scarves
- Activewear, Footwear, and More.
Challenges in Fashion Fulfillment
The apparel sector and its customers are evolving fast, just like any other industry, making fulfillment quite a challenge. Apparel supply chains must be flexible and adaptive to the following:
Storage and Handling
Apparel brands often deal with large numbers of product SKUs (stock-keeping units) to accommodate a diverse range of styles, colours, and sizes. While this extensive range provides customers with choices, it also presents a challenge during the fulfillment process. Many products may appear very similar at first glance, making it harder to accurately pick and pack orders.
Seasonal Fluctuations in Demand
The demand for apparel experiences notable peaks during specific seasons, particularly during the holiday season and other events like back-to-school. These fluctuations directly impact inventory levels, creating strain on supply chains. Businesses must swiftly adjust production and fulfillment capacities to meet heightened customer demand during these peak periods.
Value-Added Services
Customer expectations have evolved, and they now anticipate value-added services as part of their shopping experience. This includes labelling, gift cards, bespoke packaging, hang tags, marketing material inserts, garment hanging, merchandise barcoding, and more. While these offerings enhance customer satisfaction, they also introduce complexity to the fulfillment process and contribute to increased operational costs.
Returns Management
Due to the difficulties of fit and personal preferences, apparel has one of the highest return rates among eCommerce industries. There are numerous intricacies to how clothes products should be received back into inventory after return. Some apparel products, such as bathing suits or intimates, are unfit for resale, but others, such as apparel, require steaming and re-poly bagging. As a result, professionals are ideally suited to handle apparel return disposition.
The Modern Shopper’s Expectations
Consumers may now navigate the virtual spaces of online marketplaces, navigating an array of options with a few clicks. The internet world enables fashion enthusiasts to personalise their experiences by using artificial intelligence-driven recommendations as helpful guides.
GenZ, the youngest generation of customers, makes more than half of all purchases online, including apparel, and they are more likely to be affected by online influencers on social media when making purchasing decisions. And it’s not hard to see why, many grew up with the internet and smartphones, so they’re accustomed to shopping online.
In addition to navigating online spaces with ease, modern consumers have specific expectations when engaging in online shopping:
Speed and Efficiency of Delivery: Shoppers expect timely delivery of their orders. Brands need to streamline their logistics and ensure prompt shipping to keep customers satisfied.
Sustainable and Eco-friendly Packaging Options: Environmentally conscious consumers appreciate packaging that minimises waste. Brands can stand out by using recyclable materials and reducing excess packaging.
Easy Return and Exchange Policies: Hassle-free returns and exchanges are crucial. Customers want a straightforward process in case they need to return an item or exchange it for a different size or colour.
Technology and Personalisation: Artificial intelligence-driven recommendations enhance the shopping experience. Personalised product suggestions based on browsing history and preferences make customers feel valued.
Integration with Popular eCommerce Platforms: Brands should seamlessly integrate with platforms like Amazon, Shopify, or other major marketplaces. This ensures wider reach and convenience for shoppers.
Why Partner with I-Fulfilment?
Choosing the right 3PL partner or outsourced fulfillment provider is critical for mastering the fast-paced world of eCommerce apparel. Leading clothing fulfillment experts differentiate themselves by understanding and solving each business’s fulfillment demands. Choose professional apparel fulfillment providers that understand the complexities of the fashion industry.
- Gift Wrapping: I-Fulfilment offers gift-wrapping options beyond the basic fulfillment service. This ensures that fashion products are not only delivered promptly but also arrive beautifully packaged, exceeding customer expectations and enhancing the brand’s image.
- Barcoding Systems: We employ advanced barcoding systems, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in inventory management. This technology ensures that each product is tracked seamlessly throughout the fulfillment process, reducing errors and improving overall operational efficiency.
- Product Personalisation: Customers appreciate personalised touches, and I-Fulfilment offers custom branding options, including marketing materials insertion. This personalisation adds a special touch, making products even more memorable and reinforcing brand loyalty.
- Managing Returns: A seamless, hassle-free return process might mean the difference between keeping a customer and losing them to competition. To reduce losses, I-Fulfilment processes restock and restore the products quickly. Efficient processes ensure that the product cycle does not lag, which keeps inventory and revenues flowing smoothly.
- Latest Technology: The company utilises state-of-the-art technology, including seamless Warehouse Management System (WMS) integration and cutting-edge picking systems. This technology streamlines the order fulfillment process, making it fast and efficient for both the company and its customers.
- Integration with eCommerce Platforms: This integration with eCommerce platforms streamlines the flow of information, allowing for immediate communication of crucial data between our systems and the diverse online sales channels. It enhances operational efficiency, providing businesses with a unified platform to manage and coordinate their online presence, inventory, and order fulfilment seamlessly.
- Strategic Warehouse Locations Around the World: I-Fulfilment strategically positions its warehouses globally. We ensure that fashion products can be stored and distributed efficiently, reducing shipping times and costs for international orders.
With a connected, distributed network and software that integrates seamlessly with all your online sales channels, I-Fulfilment stands out as the leading 3PL provider, offering a comprehensive suite of support and services to enrich the entire customer journey, from purchase to delivery and beyond. Contact us today to unlock the potential of your clothing apparel eCommerce business.
