[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”auto” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
During Peak Season many customers turn to online shopping to order gifts for friends and family. The annual holiday shopping season, which now starts sometime in August and runs through the end of December, can yield a significant uptick in revenues for ecommerce retailers. In fact, Deloitte anticipates ecommerce holiday sales will increase by up to 9%, or $294 billion in 2024<\/a>. While that’s fantastic news for retailers hoping for a revenue boost, it can produce its share of challenges \u2014 particularly when it comes to order fulfillment.<\/p>\n Legacy warehouse management systems (WMS) can dampen the customer experience and diminish profits. Problems with inventory tracking during Peak Season, product mis-picks, and extended shipping times can damage brand reputation and reduce customer satisfaction. However, you don’t need to leave your fulfillment process to chance. By implementing a modern fulfillment management system (FMS) like Logiwa IO, you can leverage real-time tracking in ecommerce fulfillment<\/a> during the peak holiday shopping season.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”h3 {|| font-size: 18px !important;|| margin-top: 1px!important;|| margin-bottom: 1px!important;||}” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Ecommerce fulfillment requires a careful balance between the logistics of shipping orders to the manual effort of picking to packing. Real-time data supplements these activities, helping to streamline order processes and maintain accurate inventory to meet consumer demand.<\/p>\n During the holiday season, retailers see a major increase in orders that can overload their available inventory and result in stockouts. If you rely on manual inventory counts, you may be at a disadvantage, as a high volume of orders may diminish your team’s ability to track available products.<\/p>\n When using Logiwa’s advanced fulfillment management system (FMS), you can track inventory counts in real-time. Immediate data updates ensure businesses can dynamically adjust stock levels\u2014even across multiple sales channels<\/a>, minimizing fulfillment delays..<\/p>\n Long delivery times may result from several factors, including inefficient order routing and a clunky order processing system. If a fulfillment system sends an order to a warehouse hundreds of miles from the customer’s home, it can result in unexpected delays and an unhappy buyer.<\/p>\n Logiwa’s FMS alleviates order and routing problems by flagging potential order errors and selecting proper options to minimize shipping times<\/a>. It relies on real-time data to route orders to optimal warehouse facilities and expedite shipping.<\/p>\n The peak shopping season can be very unpredictable. Demand may fluctuate significantly across products and customers, straining staff resources and available inventory.\u00a0<\/p>\n While you can’t predict the future, a proactive approach that combines real-time insights with predictive analytics can help you forecast demand spikes. Improved forecasting allows retailers and warehouses to optimize inventory and staffing levels, reducing resource strain.\u00a0<\/p>\n Logiwa’s warehouse management system (WMS) combines powerful tools, including predictive analytics and artificial intelligence (AI),<\/a> to predict demand spikes before they happen \u2014 giving warehouses time to prepare for them.<\/p>\n Relying on intuition, past performance, and manual processes makes it more challenging to manage fulfillment processes and meet customer expectations. Here are a few common ecommerce fulfillment challenges among organizations that don’t use real-time data.<\/p>\n Manual inventory counts may be inaccurate or out-of-date. The risk of overselling jumps when you don’t have complete control of inventory levels. Customers may find their products on backorder, increasing their frustration.<\/p>\n Without clear visibility into current stock levels, fulfillment errors and shipping delays<\/a> may rise. Your team may need to reroute unavailable orders to other warehouses \u2014 time that associates could spend on other value-added activities.<\/p>\n No warehouse wants employees dawdling on-site with little to do. However, too few workers during a busy shift may result in bottlenecks across processes, including picking and packing.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can optimize staff resources<\/a> for lulls and peaks by incorporating real-time data into labor planning.<\/p>\n Shipping costs cut into ecommerce profit margins, especially for retailers that offer free shipping options. If you use manual processes to select shipping providers<\/a>, you risk paying more for shipping when more affordable options are available. You may also encounter delays, lengthening the time a product takes to reach the customer.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n\n
The role of real-time data in ecommerce fulfillment<\/h2>\n
Real-time inventory tracking<\/h3>\n
Order processing and routing efficiency<\/h3>\n
Predictive analytics for demand forecasting<\/h3>\n
Challenges of Peak Season fulfillment without real-time data<\/h2>\n
Stockouts and delays<\/h3>\n
Inefficient labor utilization<\/h3>\n
High shipping costs and errors<\/h3>\n