Owning a retail business, you understand the critical nature of retail fulfillment. Getting the product to your store and your customers requires planning up front when you decide to begin your business, whether it's a brick-and-mortar store or online store. You must address all your back-end operations like the details of the logistics supply chain, customer service and merging together the inventory requirements of a combined brick-and-mortar store and online ordering operation.

You may dislike the idea of budgeting for retail fulfillment costs, but retail fulfillment services can actually save you money in the long run since you won't have to pay to rent inventory storage space, hire and train employees on fulfillment procedures and have to constantly worry about managing your inventory level. Instead, you can focus on what you do best - market, sell and improve your product. As you research retail fulfillment:

1. Inquire about a retail fulfillment company's ability to handle exchanges and returns.

2. Consider retail fulfillment houses with the newest technological advances to maximize capabilities and reliability.

3. With retail fulfillment, don't rely on the same distribution system that gets your product to you to get the product to your customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contract for retail gift fulfillment services

If you want to expand the number and types of products or gifts you can offer to your customers but don't have the physical space to add inventory, you can outsource gift fulfillment so you never have to deal with the actual products. If you have an online store only, it makes perfect sense to research how gift fulfillment companies can help you improve your bottom line.

I recommend: Check out the gift basket fulfillment and other gifts you could add to your retail business without the need to rent more floor space at Gift Fulfillment Services. Think about letting Beaux Cadeaux serve as your source for putting together gifts for all occasions.

Look for value-added retail gift fulfillment services

As you shop for retail gift fulfillment companies, look for ones that will work to make your gifts seem personal when customers receive them.

I recommend: Awardpro lets you pick the color of tissue and ribbon they use to wrap your gifts, so customers will open shipping boxes and find a beautifully gift-wrapped box. Contact Jentre Direct about the value-added gift wrap fulfillment and gift card fulfillment services they provide.

Use retail fulfillment and distribution companies for your online retail store

To maximize your profits and avoid lots of logistics and inventory-related headaches, try working with a retail fulfillment company instead of creating your own business fulfillment department.

I recommend: See how you and your online retail store can benefit by going with eFulfillment Service. You should also contact Fulfillment Works, a full-service fulfillment company that can satisfy your e-store needs, and inquire about retail fulfillment costs.

Use retail fulfillment services to get your product into your store

You need retail fulfillment services to move your product from the manufacturer to distribution centers, your store and to your customers.

I recommend: Let Moulton Logistics Management handle the fulfillment of your vitamins, anti-aging products and other nutraceuticals to your distribution centers and/or your brick-and-mortar store. Consider the services of 4th Way Fulfillment that include customer service functions like returns and exchanges.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As part of your due diligence, investigate the reputation of retail fulfillment houses with regard to their reliability during holidays. You'll lose existing and potential loyal customers if you can't deliver the right product quick enough during busy seasons.