Third-party logistics providers (3PLs) handle storage, picking, packing, and delivery for businesses selling products via multiple channels – from D2C stores and marketplaces to wholesale and retail partners. Working with a 3PL means gaining access to technology, infrastructure, and expertise that help you manage complex fulfilment requirements across all sales channels, without building your own operations.
Why multi-channel brands choose third-party logistics providers
As order volumes grow and channel complexity increases, in-house fulfilment often becomes inefficient and expensive. Multi-channel brands benefit from a 3PL’s ability to handle diverse logistics processes – from palletised retail shipments to B2B wholesale orders and direct consumer fulfilment – all under one system. Outsourcing gives you access to warehousing, forecasting, carrier optimisation, returns handling, and fulfilment technology – without the overhead.
At 3PL, our multi-channel clients operate across online marketplaces, retail shelves and wholesale networks – and we ensure all their fulfilment flows are aligned.
What a 3PL does
A good 3PL typically handles:
- Warehousing and inventory storage across regionally optimised hubs
- Order fulfilment for D2C, B2B and retail partners
- Retail-compliant packing and dispatch
- Returns handling integrated for all channels
- Reporting and channel performance data
- System integration with ERP, marketplaces and retail systems
What to expect when you first get started
Onboarding and setup
The onboarding process should include stock intake, integrations with your ERP and marketplace platforms, and test orders for all channels. Integration complexity is higher for multi-channel brands, so expect detailed workflow mapping – from retail compliance rules to marketplace delivery standards.
Service level agreements (SLAs)
Expect SLAs around:
- Channel-specific cut-offs and dispatch windows
- Retail presentation and compliance
- Order accuracy
- Returns processing
These SLAs ensure that each of your channels receives logistics performance appropriate to its customers and partners.
Visibility and control
Working with a 3PL doesn’t mean giving up control. You should have access to dashboards showing:
- Live stock by channel
- Channel-specific order status
- Retail and marketplace performance metrics
Visibility across channels lets you plan promotions, prevent stockouts, and balance inventory across D2C and wholesale demands.
Beyond operations – support for multi-channel success
Flexibility and scalability
Your fulfilment partner should be able to adapt to:
- Growing SKU assortments
- New channel launches
- Volume spikes in specific channels
- Channel-specific packaging requirements
This flexibility ensures your logistics operations support growth wherever it happens – online, in stores, or through partners.
Proactive coordination
Look for a 3PL that:
- Flags inventory imbalances
- Helps align fulfilment strategies across channels
- Provides insights that guide your channel strategy
Strong cross-channel reporting and forecasting support will help you optimise logistics costs and inventory distribution.
Strategic value
The best 3PLs act as partners, not just vendors. They understand your multi-channel operations, product mix, and partner requirements – and adapt fulfilment strategies to optimise efficiency, consistency, and service across all your sales channels.
Our most successful customers treat us as an extension of their operations team. We attend cross-channel planning meetings, support new channel launches, and develop workflows that help them scale across D2C, wholesale, marketplaces, and retail partners while keeping all channels aligned.
Speak to 3PL about your order fulfiment
It’s time to supercharge your business and overtake your competitors. Speak to 3PL today and find out how we can take your ecommerce and B2B fulfilment to the next level.
