As millions of students prepare to return to classroom, back-to-school shopping is at the top of the to-do list. Shelves need to be stocked, and online orders fulfilled in order to be prepared for the first day. According to the National Retail Federation, 62% of shoppers had already their school supply shopping by early July, in hopes of getting the best deals.
It’s no wonder. Increases in inflation, fuel prices, and tariff uncertainty have all eroded consumer prices and confidence in recent years making affordability top of mind. According to the same study, 46% have held off on shopping in hopes of the best deals and 23% of buyers are spreading out budgets over a longer period of time. June sales events like Prime Day are also stretching out the timeline even further.
With these trends in mind, the behind-the-scenes effort from a cohesive network of manufacturers, transportation providers, warehouses, retailers, and logistics partners is growing in importance.
Back-to-school planning is becoming more cyclical when considering college semesters or online programs starting at various times of the year. Planning includes forecasting demand, managing inventory and production schedules, transportation, order fulfillment processing, operational scalability that is designed to meet and exceed retail requirements. As previously explored on Evans’ 3PL Insights, big-box retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco have strict routing guides and delivery windows that must be followed to avoid costly chargebacks or shipment rejection altogether.
Many businesses turn to outsourced third-party logistic (3PL) providers, like Evans Distribution Systems, to provide additional flexibility and expertise needed by seasonal brands. A 3PL has more access to a temporary skilled workforce to meet customer needs quickly without jeopardizing quality or delivery and fulfillment requirements from retail partners.
Basics of a Retail Supply Chain Strategy
- Manufacturers source materials, produce the finished goods, and prepare shipments.
- Inventory is routed by transportation partners to regional distribution hubs or warehouse partners near their retail partners and consumer base.
- Operational teams coordinate the storage, inventory management, and order fulfillment workflows to ensure that the shipments are on-time and accurate.
- Outbound transportation optimization teams arrange delivery schedules and carrier selection based on value and speed.
This is why 3PLs are gaining in importance. Even minor delays can impact product availability during peak season, and 3PLs can help manage these challenges.
The next time you are in the store and see back-to-school promotions, colorful displays, and fully stocked shelves, remember that it took months of planning and preparation by a network of logistics professionals to make it happen.
Brands who work with professionals like Evans Distribution ensure an effective supply chain, stronger retail partnerships, and a more satisfied student population.