Footwear Warehousing: 5 Facts About Improving Efficiency
Scott Hothem • March 6, 2019
For 83% of warehouse managers’ their top priority is to lower operations costs. This is not unusual when you consider the massive shift occurring from brick & mortar retail to e-commerce. The footwear industry is a prime example. No longer is going to the mall for a pair of shoes a consumer’s first choice. Many consumers now prefer shopping from the comfort of their home or the convenience of a mobile device.
Online shopping, e-commerce platforms and mobile technology have created a new consumer. Shopping when and where they like, shipping to when and where they need, and having more options than ever before is what they expect. These new elements of omni-channel fulfillment have forced footwear companies to respond with their existing infrastructure to evolve. Here are 5 facts and trends about how warehouse efficiency is growing.
- Warehouse Management System (WMS) Upgrade: Between 2018 and 2024. The market is expected to grow by over 14%.
- Automation: Higher velocity and more pressing demands can all be handled with automation technology. Tools like pick-to-light, RFID, and pick-to-voice can
- Increase in Supply Chain Visibility: A survey done by Supply Chain Insights reported that within 13 months of acquiring supply chain visibility solutions, .
- Incentive Pay: With a large portion of warehouse staff having pick and pack responsibilities, an effective bonus or can have a tremendous impact to productivity.
- Optimizing Warehouse Space: A top priority for warehouses is optimizing space. In 2018, 76% of , this is up from 71% in 2017.
The changing landscape that is reshaping the footwear industry will only continue to become more complex and competitive. However, with efficient practices and effective processes in place, these new demands can all be met while keeping costs manageable. Barrett Distribution Centers specializes in supply chain and warehouse management for footwear companies.
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For direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, success begins in the warehouse. From the moment an order is placed, your fulfillment process shapes the brand experience. At Barrett Distribution Centers , logistics isn’t just backend support. Fulfillment is the heartbeat of a successful DTC brand. Here’s how your warehouse strategy directly influences brand loyalty, repeat purchases and those all-important unboxing moments. 1. Customer Expectations Have Changed — Fulfillment Has to Keep Up If a brand promises 2-day shipping, customers will instantly notice the moment it’s late. If they order a personalized item, they’ll remember if it arrives incorrectly. Your warehouse is responsible for: Speed to ship Order accuracy Inventory visibility Packaging quality These are no longer “nice to haves,” they’re part of your brand promise. 2. Repeat Purchases Are Won (or Lost) in Fulfillment Acquiring a new customer is expensive. Keeping them? That comes down to the post-purchase experience. When fulfillment runs smoothly, your customer gets: A fast delivery The right items A well-presented package Confidence in your brand And when it doesn’t? You risk returns, negative reviews and churn . Fulfillment is where trust is built (or broken.) 3. Unboxing Is a Brand Moment — Not Just a Shipping Step Think of unboxing as your final marketing impression. Are your products arriving in a beat-up box with packing tape and nothing else? Or are they arriving in a branded, curated, thoughtful way? DTC brands that go the extra mile with: Custom packaging Personal notes Kitting or gift sets Branded tissue or wraps ...are the ones customers share on social media and return to. Barrett’s value-added services make this scalable and seamless. 4. Scalability Matters More Than You Think A fulfillment strategy that worked when you were shipping 100 orders a month won’t work when you hit 5,000. The right 3PL helps you: Flex your labor during peak Open new nodes to reduce ship times Avoid stockouts and overstocks Plan for long-term growth Scaling without sacrificing service? That’s the difference between brands that burn out and break through. 5. The Right Fulfillment Partner Makes It All Happen At Barrett, we help high-growth DTC brands deliver on their promises. With 25+ facilities nationwide, personalized service, and a tech-forward approach, we offer the flexibility and support growing brands need. Whether you need: Custom packaging Subscription box fulfillment Multi-node distribution Seamless system integrations We build solutions that keep you agile, accurate and customer-obsessed. Ready to Scale the Right Way? Let’s discuss how Barrett can help your DTC brand grow smarter, ship faster, and stand out where it counts—from cart to customer. Contact us today for a complimentary supply chain consultation.
