Buying across multiple channels is the norm these days and multichannel fulfillment should be fast and efficient—which can be challenging. In the age of D2C, TikTok, Instagram shops and more, multichannel fulfillment is only one part of a broader, more effective seamless omnichannel fulfillment strategy.
An expert 3PL can streamline storage and shipping operations, enabling businesses and brands to deliver exceptional customer experiences. A 3PL provider like Cart.com can provide fully integrated omnichannel services that take your business to the next level.
What is multichannel fulfillment—and why omnichannel is the future
Today's brands aren't just selling across multiple channels—they're integrating those channels into one seamless connected fulfillment experience. That's the promise of omnichannel fulfillment which goes beyond traditional multichannel fulfillment.
Multichannel fulfillment refers to fulfilling orders across various sales channels like ecommerce stores, online marketplaces, retail distributors, subscription boxes and D2C platforms. While this approach helps brands reach more customers, managing each channel independently can create siloes, increase complexity and lead to inconsistent service.
An omnichannel fulfillment strategy unifies these touchpoints, giving brands the flexibility to fulfill from anywhere, maintain inventory accuracy in real-time and deliver consistent customer experiences—whether the order comes from TikTok, Amazon, Instagram Shops or their own site.
Whether you manage fulfillment in-house or work with a 3PL like Cart.com, the future lies in integrating channels not just managing them. That's where Cart.com's omnichannel services can become a true game changer.
Common challenges
Multichannel ecommerce can help businesses increase revenue streams and expand their reach, but the fulfillment process is a challenge in and of itself. Lacking an effective strategy, the right tools, fulfillment networks and partners can quickly lead to unplanned disruptions and unhappy customers.
Below, we break down the most common pain points in multichannel fulfillment and suggest solutions to overcome them.
Multichannel fulfillment: Common challenges & solutions |
||||
| Challenge | Solution | |||
| Inventory & overselling | Overselling, stock discrepancies and missed sales opportunities. | Implement a real-time inventory management system that integrates with all sales channels. | ||
| Shipping & logistics | Shipping across multiple platforms can lead to logistics challenges. | Strategic warehouse locations, shipping partners or work with 3PL. | ||
| Order accuracy & speed | Customer dissatisfaction, increased returns and negative reviews. | Automated order processing and barcode scanning reduce human errors and speed up fulfillment. | ||
| Returns | High costs, slow processing and customer churn. | Develop a clear, automated return workflow and optimize warehouse space for reverse logistics. | ||
| Labeling and compliance | Risk of penalties, shipment rejections and operational delays. | Utilize AI-driven compliance checks and standardized labeling automation. | ||
| Scalability issues | Inefficiencies during peak seasons and higher fulfillment costs. | Leverage flexible 3PL services and predictive analytics to anticipate demand fluctuations. | ||
How your 3PL can help you overcome challenges
Working with a 3PL provider can reduce costs, increase efficiency and reduce disruptions. Leveraging their fulfillment network, you can strategically position inventory across multiple locations, which can help reduce shipping times and costs while improving scalability during peak seasons. Further, if your 3PL's inventory and shipping management software can integrate with your existing platforms and marketplaces, this can create the opportunity to automate fulfillment processes, such as order management, inventory updates and returns processing.
A tech-enabled 3PL like Cart.com can provide the infrastructure, technology, tools and expertise to ensure your inventory stays accurate, orders are processed reliably and on time and all shipments meet your requirements.
Cart.com future-ready omnichannel fulfillment solutions
An expert 3PL allows businesses to overcome the most complex challenges and enjoy the benefits of scalability and opportunities for growth.
Cart.com provides comprehensive omnichannel fulfillment solutions that empower brands to master ecommerce across platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Magento and more, as well as marketplaces such as Amazon, Walmart, eBay and Target+. Whether you’re fulfilling D2C orders, managing wholesale distribution or subscription-based shipments, we help you streamline operations with a unified, scalable fulfillment network.
Inventory management is one of the biggest obstacles in multichannel fulfillment. Cart.com helps you avoid overselling and stock discrepancies with real-time inventory visibility powered by our proprietary OMS and WMS software. Further, our nationwide network of strategically located fulfillment centers can ensure your brand can handle demand fluctuations with competitive shipping options and rates.
Cart.com future-ready omnichannel fulfillment solutions
Successful fulfillment today means more than just managing multiple sales channels independently from one another—it’s about integrating them into a seamless, flexible strategy that scales with your business. Cart.com’s omnichannel fulfillment services are designed to do just that.
With advanced technology, strategically located fulfillment centers and expert support, Cart.com empowers growing brands to fulfill from anywhere, reduce complexity and deliver consistent customer experiences across every channel—including ecommerce stores, marketplaces, D2C platforms and more.
If you’re looking for an expert multichannel fulfillment service provider who can reduce challenges and support long-term business growth, contact us today.
Subscribe to our emails for the latest industry insights!
By entering your email, you agree to receive marketing emails from Cart.com
