Everything you Need to Know About Shopify Fulfilment

What is Shopify Fulfilment?

Shopify is an eCommerce platform which allows businesses to start, sell, manage, and grow. You can build online stores, manage all of your sales and accept payments from customers. Anyone can use Shopify, and it is such a simple way to begin selling items, as all of your inventory and orders are kept in one place.

But as your Shopify store grows, so does the operational workload. Many sellers quickly become overwhelmed by processing and shipping orders and keeping up with rising demand – and that’s where Shopify fulfilment comes in.

Shopify allows you to collaborate with third-party logistic (3PL) providers, which means your chosen 3PL will handle your whole fulfilment process whilst you focus on other areas of your business. 

How Does Shopify Fulfilment Work?

Shopify fulfilment involves partnering up with a 3PL provider (like GNOC), and they will essentially store, pick, pack and ship your orders and send them to your customers. When an order comes through your shopify store, this will synchronize up to your 3PL’s system, and they will pick and ship your orders fast and efficiently. 3PL’s have access to real-time inventory tracking, exceptional stock control and brilliant staff, ensuring your orders are sent out correctly and on time (as all customers love a fast delivery).

1. Shopify integration: Your store connects directly to the fulfilment providers system

2. Inventory storage: Products are sent and stored in a UK fulfilment centre, ready for dispatch. 

3. Order syncing: When a customer clicks "buy" on your Shopify website, it's instantly sent to the fulfilment centre. 

4. Pick, pack, dispatch: Once the warehouse team receives the order, it's picked, packed, and shipped using trusted couriers. 

5. Tracking and notifications: When the item has been dispatched, the tracking details are sent to your customers. 

6. Returns handling: Return items are processed, checked, and re-stocked (if possible). Items that cannot be put back into rotation are placed in "quarantine" to ensure faulty items aren't resent. 

Shopify fulfilment is the catalyst for growth, it is such an easy way to sell online and gives you more time to focus on other areas of your business. You can put your trust in a 3PL, who will be able to offer your customers cheap and fast shipping, as well as monitor your stock levels accordingly (avoiding overselling). Below, we've included a step-by-step process for the service:

The Benefits of Shopify Fulfilment

There are endless benefits of Shopify fulfilment, but the key ones to take away include:

• Gain expertise and advice from your 3PL provider.
• Prevents overselling stock.
• Increases customer satisfaction and improves loyalty.
• Real-time data and tracking (making it easy to keep up with everything as all data stored in one place).
• Optimise warehouse space.
• Improves your supply chain efficiency.
• Gives your business the chance to focus on other areas and therefore grow at a faster rate.
• Access to global markets and more customers.

How much does Shopify Fulfilment cost?

The cost of outsourcing your order fulfilment on Shopify can vary, as things such as order volumes, storage requirements, and shipping destinations all play a significant part. Below, we've outlined the standard "headline costs" for the service in the UK. 

• Inbound stock handling
• Storage (per pallet, shelf or bin)
• Picking orders
• Packing orders
• Packaging materials (if required)
• Shipping 
• Returns processing
• Integration fees (connecting your Shopify store to a warehouse management system (WMS). 

Things to Consider with Shopify Fulfilment

Shopify fulfilment has many benefits, but it is important to consider that there are many costs that are associated with Shopify fulfilment services and these need to be understood before making decisions on your fulfilment strategy. With this sort of fulfilment, there are pricing models to be aware of per provider, and these can include per-order, item, or storage fees. This can depend on what items you do sell, and it is important to make an agreement with your chosen provider. 

There may also be costs for things such as returns, kitting or your account management. Contact us here to discuss your options with GNOC and we will give you a clear plan.

What to look for in a Shopify Fulfilment partner

Whether you're new to fulfilment, or switching providers, it's important to make sure you're choosing the right partner. It's a key decision that affects the growth of your business, and your brand reputation. So, what should you be looking out for?

• Shopify Integration: This is crucial, and without an integration with your website, the fulfilment centre can't process your orders efficiently. 
  
  
• UK fulfilment centre: Make sure your provider has a warehouse that can reach your UK customers, and has the operational capability to do so. 
  
  
• Multiple courier Options: Ensure the 3PL has the ability to ship your items with trusted couriers that provide next-day shipping options. 
  
  
• Transparent pricing: Your partner should outline all of the costs associated with the service upfront. 
  
  
• Real-time inventory tracking: Leading fulfilment partners should have a modern, user-friendly warehouse management system (WMS). These systems are designed to give you a comprehensive overview of your operation, from stock, to deliveries, and overall fulfilment performance. 
  
  
• Returns management: Returns happen, and your logistics partner should handle them with speed and efficiency. 
  
  
• Scalability for peak periods: Scalability is crucial, and your partner should have the capability handle peak periods without breaking a sweat (think Black Friday, January sales, etc.) 

Who should use Shopify Fulfilment? 

Shopify fulfilment in the UK is ideal for e-commerce businesses who are looking to grow fast and efficiently. It's particularly useful for: 

• UK-based Shopify merchants

• International brands entering the UK market

• High-growth ecommerce businesses

• Subscription box companies

• Crowdfunded product launches

• Brands shipping B2C or DTC orders

If you’re processing more than 50–100 orders per month, a fulfilment partner can quickly pay for itself.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right Shopify Fulfilment partner in the UK can be the difference between struggling with logistics and growing successfully. With fast delivery expectations, rising operational costs, and increasing competition, professional order fulfilment is no longer a luxury - it's a necessity. 

Why Choose GNOC?

Here at GNOC, we want to help you thrive and grow. Shopify fulfilment is something we excel at and have years of experience in. By working with us you can take your store to new heights and really begin to thrive as a business. By contacting us here, and letting us know your business needs, we can point you in the right direction and begin to help your business grow.