The opportunity in food and beverage eCommerce is vast from convenient access to a wide selection of products to subscription-based services. To excel in this complex environment, retailers and food and beverage companies need to improve their eCommerce fulfillment capabilities. Here are some things to consider when venturing the eCommerce landscape.

Optimize Distribution Network 

For efficient eCommerce fulfillment, products should be positioned as close to your customers as possible. Strategically located fulfillment centers can help to reduce transit costs and transit time. Utilizing two or more centrally located distribution centers can help meet consumers’ delivery expectations – often using two-day ground service. 

Leverage Valued-Added Services

As in any industry, value-added services can offer many benefits for the manufacturer, retailer, and consumer. For the food and beverage companies, seasonal or promotional kitting, subscription boxes, and custom pallet displays can diversify your product offerings and increase sales.

Anticipate Space and Staffing Needs 

eCommerce order fulfillment typically demands three times the labor of conventional warehousing operations. It’s crucial to plan accordingly to ensure capacity for maximum potential volume.   

Inventory Tracking 

With inventory distributed across multiple locations, it is critical to understand where products are and how they move. A comprehensive view of stock across all fulfillment locations, physical stores, warehouses, vendors, and in transit is critical for optimizing your eCommerce. Since inventory must be immediately available and accessible, it is vital to identify fast-moving items to prevent stock-outs and back-ordered items. Not to mention if a product is out of stock in one location, having a single inventory view helps determine another potential source from which to fulfill orders. 

How can we help? 

Food and beverage eCommerce comes with an added layer of complexity. That’s why so many food and beverage companies turn to tech-enabled solutions partner like Taylor to help with eCommerce fulfillment and logistics. Here’s how our solutions can help your company:

SQF-Certified Fulfillment Centers

A benefit of outsourcing your fulfillment to Taylor is working with a company that already holds a Safe Quality Foods certification. Taylor has a network of SQF-certified fulfillment centers granting our teams as food safety experts.

Established Distribution Network

Ready access to our conveniently situated facilities moves products closer to end customers to save time and money.

Scalable Resources

With flexible staffing and food-grade warehouse space, Taylor can accommodate fluctuating order volumes without a permanent overhead investment.

Cost Savings

Taylor offers more food and beverage supply chain solutions that just fulfillment. Utilizing our multiple service offerings can help increase efficiency and streamline your processes.

Advanced Technology

Taylor’s warehouse management system and fulfillment automation allow us to provide real-time visibility, efficient order routing, and better accuracy. Our WMS also integrates with several eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.

Conclusion

As we continue to see an increase in food and beverage eCommerce businesses and as more consumers begin relying on eCommerce food and drink deliveries, optimizing your supply chain is becoming more important than ever before.

Talk With Taylor

Learn how our solutions teams can help your food and beverage eCommerce while you grow your business. Fill out the form below: