The Amazon brand has become a household name over the last decade or so, earning itself an almost legendary status. With an estimated 18.5 orders delivered every second in the UK - which equates to a staggering 1.6 to 2 million packages every day - Amazon has cemented its position as the number one online selling platform globally.
Recent figures suggest that there are around 282,000 Amazon sellers in the UK, and around 85,000 of these use the Fulfilled By Amazon (FBA) program. While FBA offers several benefits, it's not for everyone and it's clear that some sellers need another method that suits their specific business requirements.
As a leading player in the realm of third-party logistics, Direct Fulfilment 365 is ideally placed to offer professional advice on this subject. In this blog, we'll explain the pros and cons of the FBA program and provide a selection of Amazon FBA alternatives to help online sellers and ecommerce business owners decide on the best option.
We'll start with a quick glimpse of the different programs Amazon offers to sellers, including FBA, as we feel it's important to provide a fair and balanced view. It may be that one of these options works better for you, depending on your business structure and sales volume.
You might already know about these (so feel free to skip ahead to the FBA alternatives!), but here's a rundown of the different programs for Amazon sellers for those who aren't familiar with them:
Amazon fulfilment is a sensible option for sellers who’d rather focus on growing their business than dealing with logistics. You simply send your inventory to Amazon’s vast network of fulfilment centres, and they take care of everything - from storing your products to picking, packing, and shipping them out to customers.
When an order comes in, Amazon processes it quickly and ensures it reaches your customer’s doorstep within Prime’s strict delivery windows. They even handle customer service and returns on your behalf, which is handy if you’d rather spend your time scaling your business than worrying about order fulfilment.
SFP offers a sweet spot between keeping control of your fulfilment and enjoying the Prime benefits. With SFP, you manage storage and shipping from your own warehouse (or via a trusted 3PL provider like us!), but your listings still get that all-important Prime badge.
To keep that Prime status, though, you’ll need to meet Amazon’s high standards, including next-day delivery and using Amazon-approved carriers. It’s a more hands-on approach that demands attention to detail, but if executed properly, it gives you the best of both worlds: control over your fulfilment while keeping Prime customers happy.
Have a look at our post "Best seller fulfilled prime 3PL companies".
FBM puts you firmly in the driver’s seat, giving you complete control over your fulfilment process. You list your products on Amazon, but everything else, from inventory storage and packaging to shipping and handling customer service, is your responsibility. You set the capacity limits*, transit times and shipping rates, but you also have the burden of finding adequate storage space - as well as taking on the costs.
*FBA inventory is subject to monthly limits based on various criteria
This approach suits sellers who prefer to manage their inventory directly and want to avoid Amazon’s fulfilment fees. However, it’s not without its challenges! You’ll need a solid logistics plan in place to ensure orders are dispatched promptly and accurately to keep customers satisfied and maintain positive feedback.
All of the above options are available on Amazon's Seller Central facility, so be sure to check them out for further details.
While Fulfilment by Amazon is undeniably convenient, it’s not always the best fit for every seller. Exploring alternatives can unlock greater flexibility, cost savings, and control over your business. Here’s why some sellers choose to break away from FBA and explore other options:
FBA fees can quickly eat into your profit margins, especially for slow-moving or low-cost items. Storage fees can also rack up if your products linger in Amazon’s warehouses for too long. By switching to an alternative fulfilment service or managing your own logistics, you can potentially reduce these costs and improve profitability.
With FBA, Amazon controls how your products are packed and presented. If branded packaging is key to your customer experience, using a different fulfilment method - like Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) or a third-party logistics (3PL) provider - gives you greater control over your brand identity and how it is represented.
If you’re selling on multiple platforms (like eBay, Shopify, or Etsy), FBA can be limiting since it’s primarily designed for Amazon orders. Alternatives, such as ShipBob or Huboo, allow you to manage fulfilment across multiple channels seamlessly, making it easier to scale and diversify your business.
Amazon penalises sellers who leave inventory sitting in FBA warehouses for too long by imposing high long-term storage fees. Switching to a 3PL provider or handling fulfilment yourself helps avoid these additional charges, especially if you deal with seasonal products or slow-moving stock.
FBA locks you into Amazon’s shipping methods and carriers, which may not always be the fastest or most cost-effective delivery option for certain regions. By exploring alternatives, you can choose carriers that suit your business model, ensuring faster delivery times and potentially happier customers.
You may also benefit from lower shipping costs as major 3PLs can often negotiate discounted shipping rates with carriers, particularly for high shipping volumes.
Amazon has strict guidelines on what can and can’t be stored in their warehouses, making it difficult for sellers with oversized, fragile, or hazardous items. Choosing an alternative gives you more freedom to sell a wider variety of products without worrying about compliance issues.
When Amazon handles customer service, you lose a direct connection with your buyers. With alternative fulfilment methods, you maintain that personal touch, giving you the opportunity to build stronger customer relationships and increase brand loyalty within the ecommerce landscape.
FBA sellers are at the mercy of Amazon’s policies, and even minor infractions can lead to account suspension! By taking control of your fulfilment, you reduce your dependency on Amazon’s rules and safeguard your business from unexpected disruptions.
Therefore, choosing an alternative to FBA gives sellers more control, flexibility, and the opportunity to build a stronger brand - all while maintaining high standards of customer service.
Okay, so we now understand why you might want to switch to a 3PL, we'll check out some of the best FBA alternatives. These are in no particular order; it's just a selection of the 3PLs that have caught our attention because they consistently receive great reviews...
Huboo is a great choice for UK-based sellers looking for affordable, flexible fulfilment.
This impressive company offers a hassle-free, cost-effective service that’s ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking to streamline their fulfilment process without breaking the bank. They take care of everything from storage and picking to packing and shipping, using a unique hub model that sets them apart from traditional fulfilment centres. Each hub is managed by a dedicated account manager who oversees your inventory, ensuring that your products are handled with care and dispatched efficiently.
What’s more, Huboo integrates seamlessly with Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and other major platforms, making it easy to manage multi-channel sales from one central dashboard. Their technology-driven approach means you get real-time updates and greater visibility over your orders, giving you peace of mind as your business grows.
A superb option for scaling your business across the UK, Europe, and beyond, ShipBob offers fast, reliable fulfilment with multiple strategically located warehouses in the UK, US, and Europe, making it easier to reach customers quickly, no matter where they are. Their platform provides real-time inventory tracking and detailed analytics, allowing you to monitor stock levels and optimise order management effortlessly.
ShipBob is particularly well-suited for multi-channel sellers looking to expand internationally, as it integrates seamlessly with Amazon, Shopify, eBay, and other major e-commerce platforms. They also offer next-day and two-day shipping options, helping you meet customer expectations and maintain high satisfaction levels. With their growing network and tech-driven fulfilment solutions, ShipBob makes scaling your business across borders a smooth and efficient process.
Fulfilment Crowd provides top-notch warehousing and order fulfilment services from multiple locations across the UK and EU, making it easier for businesses to reach customers throughout Europe. Their expertise lies in helping brands expand into European markets smoothly, with a focus on ensuring that inventory is managed efficiently and orders are dispatched quickly.
This company's system integrates seamlessly with Amazon, Shopify, eBay, and other major platforms, giving you full control over multi-channel operations. Their advanced reporting and analytics tools provide real-time insights into your inventory management and order performance, helping you make data-driven decisions that support business growth. Whether you’re scaling your operations or breaking into new markets, Fulfilment Crowd’s reliable fulfilment services ensure a hassle-free experience!
Probably one of the better-known names on this list, Shopify is perfect for merchants who are looking for an all-in-one solution to streamline their e-commerce operations. The Shopify Fulfilment Network provides seamless order fulfilment for Shopify stores, with strategically located warehouses that ensure fast and reliable delivery across the UK and internationally.
SFN is a smart choice for sellers who want to consolidate their fulfilment processes under one platform, reducing the complexity of managing multiple sales channels.
By using SFN, you can automate inventory management, track orders in real-time, and maintain high delivery standards while focusing on scaling your business. With Shopify’s excellent reputation for reliability and ease of use, it’s a great option for growing brands looking to simplify their fulfilment strategy.
Well, we could hardly make a list of the best FBA alternatives without including ourselves, could we?
Joking aside, we can confidently claim our place among these companies as we can match them in every category. In fact, we believe that we can exceed them in many ways...
Here's what we have to offer:
Direct Fulfilment 365 is an excellent alternative to Amazon FBA for UK-based sellers looking for reliable, scalable, and flexible fulfilment services. We specialise in end-to-end order fulfilment, offering everything from secure warehousing and inventory management to picking, packing, and a super-fast shipping process. Our operations are designed to handle high order volumes, making us ideal for growing businesses that need a dependable partner to keep up with demand.
What sets us apart is our commitment to flexibility. Our systems integrate seamlessly with Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and other major platforms, allowing you to manage multi-channel sales effortlessly. Whether you’re selling domestically or expanding into international markets, Direct Fulfilment 365 ensures that your orders are dispatched accurately and on time. Our advanced reporting tools also give you complete visibility over your inventory and order status, empowering you to make informed decisions and optimise your supply chain.
For sellers who want to maintain greater control over their fulfilment while still benefiting from streamlined operations, Direct Fulfilment 365 is a smart, cost-effective solution.
Based in Northampton, James and James offers cutting-edge fulfilment services with a strong focus on tech-driven solutions.
Their cloud-based platform, ControlPort, provides real-time visibility over your inventory, orders, and fulfilment processes, giving you the insights needed to maintain exceptional service standards while scaling efficiently. ControlPort’s intuitive interface makes it easy to track orders, manage stock levels, and monitor performance from anywhere, ensuring that your fulfilment operations run smoothly.
James and James specialise in helping growing brands deliver fast, accurate, and reliable service to customers, making them a top choice for businesses that prioritise speed and precision. With a network of fulfilment centres strategically positioned in the UK, EU, and US, they enable faster delivery across multiple regions, helping you meet customer expectations and boost satisfaction. This is a premium option for brands that value cutting-edge technology, operational transparency, and a commitment to accuracy as they expand their business.
When considering a 3PL to provide an alternative to the FBA program, Amazon sellers should choose a partner that not only meets their current business needs but who continues to support them in long-term growth.
A reliable 3PL will help you reduce costs, streamline your fulfilment operation and improve customer satisfaction, but only if they align with your specific business goals.
Here are a few pointers to help you make the right choice:
Partnering with a 3PL instead of using Amazon FBA offers numerous advantages, allowing you to sell products through multiple marketplaces or your own ecommerce platform without the hassles, headaches and costs involved.
Even so, it's a big step that requires careful consideration, and it's vital that you choose wisely.
We've offered a selection of the best FBA alternatives, and now it's up to you to decide. Under the heading "What To Look For In Alternatives To Amazon FBA" above, we listed eleven qualities you should look out for, and we can say with confidence that you'll find all of these at Direct Fulfilment 365.
Contact us when you're ready to take the next step, and we'll help your online business realise its full potential!
At Direct Fulfilment 365, we take the stress out of logistics so you can focus on growing your business. From same-day dispatch to 24/7 inventory tracking, we’re here to make your operations seamless.
At Direct Fulfilment 365, we are dedicated to helping your business thrive by providing seamless logistics and fulfilment solutions. Whether you're looking to enhance your shipping options or streamline your operations, we are here to support your growth.
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