Footwear and Apparel Supply Chain: Making the Last Mile Difference
Scott Hothem • January 23, 2023
Clothing and footwear are expected to maintain the highest percentage of the over 1.35 billion online originated deliveries place in the US. As the volume of these orders continues to grow, so will the importance the last mile delivery. The “last mile” is defined as the movement of people and goods from a transportation hub to the customer’s door. With online retail making up , supply chains have adapted to address the challenges of omni-channel fulfillment. But as consumers discover more options, and demands in terms of speed, cost, and convenience increase, this last mile can create new obstacles.
Cost, transparency, and efficiency are all hurdles that commonly stand between a fulfilled order and a streamlined and cost effective delivery. However there are some ways that footwear and apparel companies can turn the last mile into a competitive advantage.
Visibility Tools
Customers now expect real-time updates regarding order and delivery status. Your webstore, fulfillment center and small package carrier must all have the technology to provide order-to-delivery visibility to enhance the customer experience.
The Importance of Packaging
Broken, torn, dented, and otherwise unattractive packaging can be a direct negative reflection on you brand. As the package travels down this “last mile” it should be delivered with care, and arrive in pristine condition.
Supply Chain Wide Optimization
If each element of your supply chain is working in an integrated, streamlined and efficient manner there are numerous savings that can be passed along to the customer. With all pieces working together, from the manufacturer, to the fulfillment center to the transportation provider, there is accurate and real-time information that can also be shared with your customers to enhance your brand.
While these are only a few things to consider when it comes to last mile delivery, there are still several challenges. As the number of “last miles” continues to grow each year, understanding and solving this challenge can be a key differentiator. Barrett Distribution Centers creates customized supply chain solutions to meet the challenges of e-commerce and omni-channel fulfillment.
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Franklin, MA — Barrett Distribution Centers is proud to announce a new partnership with Willo , an oral hygiene company creating innovative dental products for kids. Barrett will provide warehousing, fulfillment and transportation services to support Willo’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) and Fulfillment by Amazon operations. Willo’s decision came down to culture and size — finding a partner with the operational strength to meet aggressive growth goals while maintaining trust and close collaboration. “Barrett struck the perfect balance for us. They are big enough to support our aggressive growth plans yet small enough to feel like a true partner,” said Rachel Blender , operations manager at Willo. “After going through multiple 3PL changes in the past, I knew we needed a partner we could trust for the long haul. Barrett is that partner.” Willo, a company led by oral health experts, recently launched the Willo AutoFlo+, the world’s first fully automated toothbrush designed specifically for kids ages 5 to 13. The device automates brushing from start to finish, dispensing toothpaste and using the uniquely shaped OptiClean brush head to replicate the perfect brushing motion every time. “When Rachel reached out during the RFP process, I knew right away that Willo was the perfect partner for Barrett,” said Harrison Smith , director of pricing and contract logistics. “Their values, ambition and innovative spirit mirror our own, and that alignment sets the stage for something truly special. We’re excited to collaborate and help bring AutoFlo+ toothbrushes to homes across the country.” Headquartered in New York City, Willo will operate out of Barrett’s Hickory Hill, Tennessee facility. Beyond product innovation, Willo is committed to advancing children’s oral health education through community partnerships and outreach programs. The company plans to expand its product line and reach more families nationwide in the coming years. About Barrett Distribution Centers Since 1941, Barrett has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. Barrett continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision makers. As a member of Inc's fastest growing companies list 15+ times, Barrett is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact Barrett directly here . About Willo Founded on a mission to revolutionize children's oral health, Willo combines innovative design, advanced technology, and decades of oral health expertise to create breakthrough dental products for children. Our automatic toothbrush is designed to give kids ages 5-13 a confident smile while parents can breathe a sigh of relief. Developed with dentists and parent-approved, Willo helps kids build strong brushing habits that last a lifetime. Official Release Here
Franklin, Mass. — Barrett Distribution Centers has been chosen by Tumble Living , a Los Angeles–based home goods company known for its washable area rugs, to handle nationwide direct-to-consumer fulfillment from Somerset, New Jersey. 锘� By positioning inventory closer to its core U.S. customer base, Tumble will improve delivery times and reduce total supply chain costs. “After evaluating several competitors, Barrett stood out as the best fit,” said Julie Tang , vice president of operations at Tumble. “Their team proved they could scale with our growth, impressed us with strong site visits and backed it up with trusted references and solid technology. We’re excited about what this means for our customers and confident this partnership will take the Tumble experience to the next level.” Key factors in the decision included Barrett’s speed to launch, seamless technology integration and available capacity to support Tumble’s growth. “This new partnership with Tumble highlights exactly what Barrett does best: mobilizing quickly and being able to scale efficiently with high-growth brands,” said Dan Klenkar , vice president of customer solutions at Barrett. “We’re excited to launch this exciting brand in our NJ facility and look forward to supporting their aggressive growth.” This new partnership ensures Tumble can scale operations quickly while enhancing service to households nationwide. About Tumble Living Tumble was founded by Justin Soleimani and Zach Dannett. It was born from their desire to bring a fresh, customer-focused perspective to an industry that's traditionally been slow to evolve. As seasoned furniture industry professionals and frustrated homeowners, they recognized the need for thoughtfully designed, beautiful products at attainable prices—products that adapt to their customers' lifestyles, not the other way around. About Barrett Distribution Centers Since 1941, Barrett has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. Barrett continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision makers. As a member of Inc's fastest growing companies list 15+ times, Barrett is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact Barrett directly here . Official Release Here
