3PL Warehouse Service

While many 3PL providers (including Direct Fulfilment 365) offer fulfilment services as part of their operations, the main focus is typically on:

• Storage
• Freight forwarding
• Transportation services
• Distribution services
• Inventory management
• Reverse logistics (handling returned goods)

But what is 3PL fulfilment and why do growing businesses need it? Essentially, it’s a service that allows businesses to outsource logistics, streamlining operations and improving efficiency. With Direct Fulfilment 365, you get the best of both services! We offer comprehensive fulfilment as well as reliable and efficient third-party logistics services.

A third-party logistics warehouse is a storage and distribution facility run by specialist logistics companies like Direct Fulfilment 365. Businesses can use these instead of managing their own warehousing and shipping operations.

Basically, you outsource the logistics operations to us while you focus on the daily running of your business.

Here's how it works:

• Storage - You send a portion of your stock to our warehouse, where it is checked and stored. All stock is organised and tracked using warehouse management software (WMS).
• Order Processing - When a customer places an order, it is automatically received at the warehouse.
• Pick, Pack & Ship - The item is picked from storage, either using automated systems or by hand, and packaged securely. The order is then labelled and shipped via courier or freight services.
• Returns/Inventory Management - If an order is returned, it is processed at the warehouse and restocked on the inventory if possible. Our inventory management system keeps you updated on stock levels so you know when it's time to restock.

This basic overview offers a simplified version of our 3PL warehouse operations, but we'll expand on this later.

Freight Forwarding or Third-Party Logistics?

Choosing the right option for your business is vital - we get that - which is why we're taking the time to explain the differences between different services and methods.

So, here's a quick guide to these two terms:

• Freight forwarders manage the movement of inventory by arranging transportation services and customs clearance (for international shipping), but they rarely have their own warehouse, and they don't manage inventory. These are more like middlemen, arranging transport via airlines, shipping lines and road haulage companies.
• A 3PL Provider may offer freight forwarding, but they usually have warehouses/fulfilment centres and will handle inventory management.

If your business handles complex, large-scale import/export, you might be better off with freight forwarders. Alternatively, if you require warehousing, fulfilment and shipping, a third-party logistics provider would probably serve you better. Either way, Direct Fulfilment 365 can assist you in finding the perfect solution!

As your business grows and orders increase, you'll need more inventory, and that means finding space to put all that stock.

This is a challenge for start-ups and fledgling businesses, as renting warehouse space can be expensive. In some cases, they might even resort to piling up stock wherever possible, including the garage or spare rooms in their homes. This isn't ideal, as it makes things difficult when it comes to picking and packing.

Direct Fulfilment 365 will resolve this problem immediately, as our 3PL warehouse facilities can store inventory for you. You can send as much or as little of your stock as you wish, and we'll organise it using our warehouse management system. You'll have real-time visibility into stock levels and inventory adjustments, keeping you in control at all times.

The beauty of this system is that it scales along with your business growth. As orders increase, our service adapts to cope with demand, and you don't need to take any action - just leave everything to us!

There's no doubt that big players like Amazon have made things difficult for smaller traders, especially when it comes to shipping. The massive volume of packages flowing through their system allows these large companies to secure huge discounts and preferential rates.

This puts other businesses at an immediate disadvantage, as they often can't compete with the low delivery prices. Offering free delivery is a great way to attract customers, but this isn't always a viable option for many ecommerce businesses, meaning that consumers head elsewhere to make their purchases.

As a trusted third-party logistics company, Direct Fulfilment 365 has established relationships with leading couriers and delivery services within the logistics industry. This allows us to offer lower shipping costs that can be passed on to your customers, giving your business the boost it deserves.

This is a key element of fulfilment and supply chain solutions: We keep a percentage of your stock in our fulfilment centre, enabling rapid order processing.

With warehouse locations strategically placed around the UK, as well as access to a global network of fulfilment centres, we can significantly speed up the delivery process. Faster delivery times mean greater customer satisfaction, which is excellent news for your business.

All stock is organised according to its popularity, type, colour, size, etc., making it easier to retrieve during the picking process. Our advanced warehouse management software eases things further, streamlining the process and eliminating the risk of picking and shipping errors.

Items are stored on pallets or shelves or placed in clearly marked containers for speedy retrieval. Each one has an SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) identifier to further reduce any risk of warehouse workers making mistakes.

Orders are received electronically at the fulfilment centre/warehouse the very instant they are placed by the customer. This is made possible through our fully integrated system that connects all your sales channels, allowing you to control everything from a single point.

You can also view stock levels and shipping details in real time, making it easier to manage inventory and order new stock when required.

We use advanced picking methods and technology to select items from storage when an order is placed. Our larger warehouses may even use automated systems, while others employ trained workers to pick items. Even so, the path around the warehouse space is mapped by computer to find the most efficient route, saving even more time. The workers use handheld devices to scan the SKUs, thus avoiding any mistakes.

When orders are placed, they are assigned to picking teams. Each picker receives a picking list showing the items, the volume required and their location in storage. They collect these items according to the designated route as decided by the advanced software system.

Once all the items for a particular order have been selected, they pass through to the packing section.

The first task here is to perform a quality control check to make sure no items are damaged or defective. They are also compared with the inventory listing to ensure that they are correct and that the items are the right size, colour or type.

We strive to eliminate errors without delaying the fulfilment process and can proudly claim 99.9% accuracy in this area.

All items are then packaged securely using a range of packing materials and methods, including:

Outer Packaging

• Corrugated Cardboard Boxes - Sturdy, lightweight, and available in various sizes.
• Padded mailers (with bubble wrap inside) for fragile items.
• Poly mailers (water-resistant plastic envelopes) for non-fragile items.
• Tubes & Rigid Envelopes - For posters, artwork, or documents.

Protective Packing Materials

• Bubble Wrap - Provides cushioning for fragile items.
• Air Pillows - Lightweight air-filled plastic cushions to prevent movement in boxes.
• Packing Peanuts - Loose-fill material that absorbs shocks (often biodegradable).
• Foam Inserts & Moulded Pulp - Custom-shaped padding for delicate or high-value items.
• Paper Void Fill - Recyclable crumpled paper to fill empty spaces in boxes.

Specialised Packaging

• Temperature-Controlled Packaging - Insulated boxes and gel packs for perishable goods.
• Anti-Static Bags & Packaging - For electronic components.
• Tamper-Evident Packaging - Security seals for pharmaceuticals or high-value goods.
• Eco-Friendly Packaging - While we select sustainable materials where possible, we will use 100% recyclable or biodegradable options if preferred.

Kitting & Bundling

Multiple items are packed together as a single unit (e.g., subscription boxes).

• Shrink Wrapping - Protects products from dust, moisture, or tampering.

• Palletising - Large shipments are stacked on pallets and wrapped for bulk transportation.

Branding & Customisation

Building brand awareness is vital for growing your customer base and increasing customer satisfaction. It's well-known that consumers are prepared to pay more for goods that appear to be good quality, and branded packing materials always add something extra.

We can custom print boxes with your logo or brand colours to help boost your visibility and enhance the unboxing experience.

In addition, we can also wrap items in luxury tissue paper for an added touch of class. Furthermore, we'll insert notes, personalised messages, discount vouchers, or freebie gifts - little extras

Compliance

As a third-party logistics provider, we often deal with transportation management and logistics functions between businesses or for bulk orders. This frequently involves big brands and major retailers that have strict compliance measures in place, such as specific guidelines for packaging, labelling and shipping.

When you entrust your shipping logistics to Direct Fulfilment 365's 3PL services, you can rest assured that we will complete the order to the required specifications. All orders, no matter the size, will be processed according to your express instructions.

As stated above, Direct Fulfilment 365 uses a range of leading couriers and delivery companies, allowing us to form the optimum shipping strategy for each order.

This means that you can benefit from lower shipping costs and faster dispatch and delivery speeds, which boosts your profits and increases customer satisfaction.

We partner with companies like DHL, Royal Mail, Parcel Force and Evri (Hermes) to ensure a variety of delivery options, including same-day dispatch and next-day delivery.

Our integrated system allows both the seller and the buyer to view tracking details in real time to check the progress of the delivery the moment it is dispatched.

Streamlining the shipping process using our 3PL services is a sure way to improve the customer experience, attracting positive reviews and ratings.

Returns are an inevitable part of the retail process, particularly with online purchases.

Around one in five items bought online are returned for various reasons, and this can be a headache for online retailers. Most can be used again, as they are in good condition - possibly returned as they are the wrong size. Consumers often buy several sizes and return those that don't fit.

However, processing all these returns takes time and can play havoc with inventory and stock levels, leading to lost revenue.

Instead of struggling with the returns process yourself, Direct Fulfilment 365's fulfilment service takes care of all this for you. Our staff will check each item to establish its condition and then return saleable items to the inventory as swiftly as possible. Any goods that can't be resold will be either refurbished, recycled or disposed of responsibly, and the inventory will be updated accordingly.

Refunds will only be issued if they are in line with your brand's terms and conditions.

Pro Tip

The area of returns management is one of the big sticking points when it comes to customer satisfaction; countless surveys and reviews cite this process as being highly problematic. Businesses that make it difficult to return unwanted goods are likely to suffer the most.

Bad experiences affect online businesses heavily - at least 80% of consumers won't buy from a company again if they have a negative purchasing experience, and this includes the returns process.

We strongly advise that you establish a smooth, efficient and user-friendly returns policy and process to avoid the repercussions. Better still, let Direct Fulfilment 365 handle it for you, and you're guaranteed to see positive results!

In the retail sector, image is everything. The way customers view your brand is central to its continued success - and if you constantly receive negative reviews and ratings, you are likely to fall behind your competitors.

These days, consumers are more savvy and far more demanding; they know what they want, and they want it yesterday! Dealing with queries and complaints is an essential part of the game, but it's a drain on time and resources that many smaller businesses just can't cope with.

This is another area where Direct Fulfilment 365 excels: we will act on your behalf, dealing with customer service issues in your name. All advice and support will be in line with your policies, but we will handle the complaints and queries, offering fair, workable solutions to limit any negative feedback and improve relations between the customer and the business.

As with many ecommerce store owners - particularly start-ups - it's unlikely that you'll have a working knowledge of supply chain management and logistics operations.

Instead of getting bogged down in the technical stuff, you can lean on our expertise to make sound decisions in the best interests of your business.

With a proven track record as a trusted third-party logistics provider, we will guide you along every step of the road to success.

Our 3PL warehouse facilities are set up to handle storage and shipping for business-to-business or direct-to-consumer orders, no matter how big or small!

The process is much the same, although B2B orders usually involve complex or large-volume orders.

Whatever your logistics and fulfilment requirements, Direct Fulfilment 365 can handle them with ease.

At Direct Fulfilment 365, we go beyond standard warehousing and fulfilment to help businesses stand out, scale up, and delight customers. Here’s a recap of our services, including those that can enhance your operations:

Custom Packaging & Brand Personalisation

• Branded boxes and mailers with custom printing
• Tissue paper, stickers, and inserts for a premium unboxing experience
• Custom packing slips and thank-you notes to reinforce brand identity

Kitting, Bundling, & Subscription Box Assembly

• Pre-assembling kits and bundles before orders come in
• Adding promotional inserts, such as flyers and discount codes
• Managing seasonal packaging and limited-edition box designs

Returns Management & Reverse Logistics

• Inspecting and quality-checking returned items
• Refurbishing and repackaging products for resale
• Eco-friendly disposal for unsellable goods

Late Cut-Off & Same-Day Dispatch

• Late order cut-off times for more customer flexibility
• Same-day dispatch for faster delivery
• Multi-carrier integration to find the best shipping option

Quality Control & Product Inspection

• We conduct batch and spot-check inspections to maintain high standards
• Product testing and reworking for minor defects
• Barcode scanning and labelling for accurate stock tracking

Sustainable Packaging & Eco-Friendly Fulfilment

• Recyclable and biodegradable packaging options
• Carbon-neutral shipping choices
• Minimal packaging solutions to reduce waste

International Fulfilment & Cross-Border Solutions

• Global warehousing for faster international deliveries
• Customs and duties management for smoother shipping
• Multi-currency and multi-language support for localisation

Subscription Boxes

We hinted at these above in several places, but here's a more in-depth overview of how we handle subscription boxes at our 3PL warehouses.

At Direct Fulfilment 365, we understand that subscription boxes are more than just products in a package - they are an experience. Whether you sell beauty products, food, lifestyle, or hobby boxes, we ensure that every order is assembled with care, delivered on time, and leaves a lasting impression on your customers. Our subscription box fulfilment services are designed to save you time, reduce costs, and scale effortlessly as your business grows.

Kitting & Assembly

Before we begin assembling subscription boxes, we receive, inspect, and store your stock in our secure, organised warehouses. Each item undergoes quality checks to ensure it meets your standards, while batch tracking and expiry management are applied where necessary, particularly for food, cosmetics, and supplements. Our smart storage solutions allow for efficient picking and packing, ensuring that stock is always in the right place at the right time.

Subscription boxes often include a carefully curated mix of products that must be arranged and packed with precision. Our team expertly handles kitting and box assembly, ensuring that items are pre-kitted in advance when needed, arranged in a specific order for presentation, and accompanied by any necessary promotional inserts, such as leaflets, samples, or personalised messages. We also offer seasonal and themed packaging to match special promotions or holidays, making each box feel unique and exclusive.

Custom Packaging/Branding

Direct Fulfilment 365 provides custom packaging and branding options, including branded boxes and mailers that reflect your brand identity, as well as tissue paper, stickers, and eco-friendly packaging choices. A well-presented box enhances customer engagement and encourages social media sharing, increasing brand visibility.

Subscription Management

Managing recurring subscription orders requires precise coordination and automation. We sync with your ecommerce platform, whether it’s Shopify, WooCommerce, or a custom system, to automate order processing and plan fulfilment schedules based on your subscription cycle. Our team manages cut-off dates and last-minute changes, allowing flexibility for new subscribers while ensuring all orders are processed on time.

Shipping

Shipping and delivery are critical to a successful subscription service, and we work with multiple couriers to ensure reliable and cost-effective shipping across the UK and internationally. Through negotiated bulk shipping rates, we help reduce costs while offering a range of delivery options, from economy to next-day services. Real-time tracking and notifications keep customers informed, enhancing their experience and reducing queries about order status.

Returns & Customer Services

Even the best-run subscription box businesses encounter occasional returns or delivery issues. At Direct Fulfilment 365, we handle returns efficiently, inspecting and restocking eligible items while managing refunds and replacements as needed. By focusing on how to reduce returns in ecommerce, our address verification services help prevent failed deliveries, minimise costs and ensure a smoother experience for both businesses and customers.

Handling subscription boxes in-house can be overwhelming, but outsourcing to Direct Fulfilment 365 allows your business to scale without worrying about space, staffing, or logistics. Our fulfilment solutions provide cost savings through bulk efficiencies while maintaining a high level of reliability and quality. With our support, you can focus on growing your brand while we ensure your customers receive beautifully packaged, correctly assembled boxes on time, every time.

• Main Focus - Physical logistics, such as warehousing, order fulfilment, and transportation.
• Who Uses It? - Businesses needing warehousing, fulfilment, and shipping services.
• Services Offered - Storage, picking/packing, shipping, and inventory management.
• Do They Own Assets? - They may have warehouses, trucks, or delivery networks.
• Best For - eCommerce brands, retailers, and businesses with physical goods.

• Main Focus - Full supply chain management, including strategy, optimisation, and coordination.
• Who Uses It? - Large businesses wanting a single provider to manage multiple logistics partners.
• Services Offered - End-to-end supply chain management, data analysis, choosing and managing 3PLs.
• Do They Own Assets? No, 4PL providers act as consultants and managers using third-party providers.
• Best For - Enterprises with complex supply chains, multiple 3PLs, or international operations.

As a final note on this, 4PL companies are also sometimes referred to as Lead Logistics Providers.

So, which one do you need? The answer depends on the size and scale of your business. A 4PL provider would be a better option for large businesses with complex logistics needs. 3PL is better suited to smaller brands in need of storage and fulfilment solutions.