Should You Be Outsourcing Your Order Fulfilment? | Dee Set

Let’s be honest – order fulfilment isn’t exactly the most glamorous side of running a business. But it is the engine that keeps everything running smoothly. And if that engine starts to splutter? Well, your customers start to notice.

Late deliveries, incorrect orders, and stock issues add up fast if your order fulfilment process isn’t ticking along smoothly. That’s why you might be thinking: should we outsource our order fulfilment?

Let’s break it down…

What is outsourced fulfilment?

Outsourced fulfilment (often called third-party logistics or 3PL, if you’re feeling fancy) is when you hand over your order processing, storage, and distribution to an external provider. Instead of managing everything in-house, a specialist company will take care of it for you – from picking and packing to shipping and returns.

Think of it as bringing in a team of fulfilment pros who already have the space, systems, and expertise to get your products from warehouse to shelf (or doorstep) without a hitch.

Simple in theory, game-changing in practice.

What services can third-party order fulfilment companies offer?

Outsourced fulfilment isn’t just about sticking products in boxes and sending them out the door. A good 3PL provider offers a comprehensive range of services, including:

Warehousing and storage

No more worrying about running out of space. Outsourcing order fulfilment means your stock is stored safely and efficiently in dedicated warehousing and storage facilities.

Picking and packing

Orders are picked accurately and packed professionally, reducing the likelihood of the wrong items being shipped (or showing up in a badly-taped box).

Distribution and delivery

From bulk shipments to individual orders, fulfilment partners manage logistics to ensure products arrive where they need to be, when they need to be there.

Inventory management

Real-time tracking keeps you on top of stock levels, helping to avoid those dreaded “out of stock” moments.

Returns handling

Whether we like it or not, returns do happen. A good fulfilment partner makes the process quick, painless, and customer-friendly.

Tech and reporting

The best order fulfilment partners provide insights into performance, helping you make smarter decisions and optimise your supply chain.

What are the benefits of outsourcing order fulfilment?

So, why are so many businesses making the switch to outsourced fulfilment?

1. Scalability without the stress

Busy season? Big promotion? Sudden growth spurt? No problem. A fulfilment partner can scale operations up or down as needed, without you scrambling for extra space, staff, or resources.

2. Cost efficiency

Running your own fulfilment operation isn’t cheap. Warehousing, staffing, equipment, tech – it all adds up. Outsourcing can often be more cost-effective, especially as you grow.

3. Improved accuracy and speed

Fulfilment specialists do this day in, day out. That means fewer errors, faster processing, and happier customers.

4. Access to advanced technology

From inventory tracking to performance analytics, you get access to systems that might otherwise be out of reach.

5. Better customer experience

At the end of the day, fulfilment is all about the customer. Faster deliveries, accurate orders, and smooth returns all contribute to a better overall experience and keep customers coming back for more.

In-house vs outsourced fulfilment: Which is best for your business?

Every business is different, and we’re not here to tell you what you need – some businesses benefit from outsourcing order fulfilment, while for others, it makes sense to keep things in-house.

In-house fulfilment might work for you if:

• You have low order volumes
• You want complete control over every step
• You have the space, staff, and systems to manage it effectively

For smaller operations, keeping things in-house can make sense… at least initially.

Outsourced fulfilment might be the better option if:

• You’re growing quickly
• Order volumes are becoming harder to manage
• You’re experiencing fulfilment errors or delays
• You want to expand into new retail channels
• You’d rather focus on strategy than logistics

For many businesses, there comes a tipping point where in-house fulfilment starts to hold them back rather than support them. That’s usually when outsourcing starts to look very appealing.

Why outsource your order fulfilment with Dee Set?

By now, you’ve probably made a decision on whether outsourcing order fulfilment is right for your business. But you may be wondering: Why should I choose Dee Set for fulfilment outsourcing? What makes them special?

It’s a great question… and there are actually a few things that make us different from other 3PL order fulfilment companies:

• Trusted by major UK retailers: We’re a listed vendor trusted by a wide range of major UK retailers, including ASDA, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons.
• Retail experts: We’re a pretty big deal in the retail sector. Our deep understanding of retailer specifications means your orders will always meet compliance in-store.
• Cutting-edge tech: We’re known for our advanced image recognition software, which is specifically designed for retail and lets you place orders directly at the shelf edge.
• Flexible order reception: We can accommodate various order reception methods, ensuring your retail operations remain smooth and uninterrupted.
• Scalability: We have the capacity to scale fast. That means we can adapt to your business needs, even if growth happens rapidly.

Eager to find out more about our order fulfilment services? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with the Dee Set team today.