Order fulfillment is the process of receiving, processing, and delivering customer orders. It involves inventory management, picking and packing products, and arranging shipment or delivery. The order fulfillment process starts with a customer placing an order and ends once they receive it. The process typically involves the following steps:
- Receiving inventory shipments
- Inventory storage
- Order processing
- Shipping
- Returns processing
During the order fulfillment process, the distribution center or warehouse is responsible for filling the order, which includes receiving and stocking inventory, picking, packing, and shipping orders. The process can be expensive and complex, and some companies handle order fulfillment in-house, while others outsource the process to a third-party logistics company or 3PL.
Order fulfillment is a critical stage of the supply chain that has huge implications for a brands fans, finances, and future. It impacts the customer experience, and timely and accurate order processing enables businesses to meet customer expectations and provide a seamless buying experience.
