For Australian shoppers, shipping timelines are an integral driver of conversions. In 2016, the average wait time for orders was 4-6 days, and in 2019, it was reduced to 2-3 days. Today, keeping up with consumer’s demand for high-quality products and faster delivery can help e-commerce businesses stand out from competitors. To achieve that, e-commerce merchants can opt for fulfillment centers to store inventory and process e-commerce orders.
Having the right fulfillment center to store inventory and facilitate pick-pack and shipping operations allows e-commerce merchants to focus on core business operations. Merchants do not have to manage inventory storage, inbounding, and pick-and-pack operations directly. Once briefed, the fulfillment center’s staff will retrieve the right product from the inventory and prepare it per branding guidelines for dispatch.
However, choosing the ideal fulfillment center for an e-commerce business requires careful consideration of the type of inventory, where these fulfillment centers are located and the facilities they offer. To help you decide, here’s a list of the top 10 fulfillment centers in Australia for your online store.
Overview of E-commerce Fulfillment In Australia
Australia is witnessing a surge in e-commerce activity, fueled by a growing internet-savvy population and increasing smartphone penetration. The revenue in the e-commerce market in Australia is projected to reach US$37.66bn in 2024. Which makes the logistics industry a crucial one in the Australian market.
However, scripting an e-commerce success story in Australia involves common challenges that can be overcome with a fulfillment center. These include:
- Optimising Inventory Management: Limited storage space, particularly for businesses operating from home offices or smaller premises, can pose a significant challenge in managing inventory efficiently. fulfillment centers can alleviate these space constraints and help businesses manage inventory to cater to customer demand.
- Enhanced Order fulfillment Efficiency: The process of picking, packing, and shipping orders can be incredibly time-consuming, diverting valuable resources away from core business activities such as marketing and product development. By choosing a fulfillment center for storage, pick and pack, sellers can delegate these tasks to a team of specialists, allowing them to focus on strategic growth initiatives.
- Ensuring Nationwide Delivery Reliability: Australia’s vast and diverse geography presents a unique challenge in guaranteeing fast and reliable deliveries across the entire market. With strategically placed fulfillment center, sellers can choose to deliver orders through expedited shipping . Orders are processed fast, sellers ship out orders faster and customers receive orders quickly.
Moreover, with rising consumer expectations, and swaying loyalty, e-commerce businesses in Australia need to champion the merchants. At with an e-commerce fulfillment center, merchants can compete with regional, national and international brands effortlessly.
How E-commerce Fulfillment Centers Reduce Operational Costs
E-commerce fulfillment center help sellers store and manage inventory across strategic locations in Australia. By doing so, sellers reduce costly overheads that otherwise would make fulfillment expensive or cut into the profit margins. Having a fulfillment center makes storage and fulfillment cost-effective. Here’s how:
- Reduce Shipping Zones: E-commerce sellers primarily opt for fulfillment centers closer to key e-commerce hubs with high order volume and potential customers. The closer a fulfillment center is to customers, the number of shipping zones the order has to cover reduces. This, in turn, reduces the cost associated with last-mile delivery. As orders increase, sellers can bring down the rate of shipping. This helps sellers attract more customers and promise diverse shipping options for quick conversions.
- Faster Order Processing: Warehouse executives with adequate training handle storing and retrieving inventory. With proper briefing, these executives can retrieve orders from the inventory location, pack them, and have them ready for dispatch. The increase in efficiency ensures that your SLAs are met and customers receive their orders on time.
- Multi-fulfillment Centers: Opting for multiple fulfillment center helps e-commerce sellers manage multi-channel selling and cater to nationwide demand easily. With such light weight infrastructure, businesses are no longer tied to expensive marketplace warehouses.
For e-commerce companies, collaborating with a fulfillment center has three advantages:
First, outsourcing inventory management, order fulfillment, and warehousing frees up critical resources. This enables e-commerce business owners to focus their time and efforts on crucial tasks like product development and marketing.
Second, fulfillment center provide flexible solutions that can evolve with a company’s needs. This enables e-commerce business owners to stay resilient during changing demand by managing warehouse space to store inventory and fulfil orders as usual.
Top 10 Fulfillment Centers In Australia
Choosing the right fulfillment center can give your e-commerce business an upper edge. You do not have to rent dedicated spaces for your inventory and orders don’t require longer fulfillment timelines. But with many competitors in the market, how do you guage the fulfillment center that best fits your business requirements? Here’s the list of top 10 fulfillment centers in Australia to supercharge your e-commerce order delivery and delight customers.
1. Locad
Locad an e-commerce logistics and fulfillment center, equips sellers with fulfillment centers in major e-commerce hubs across Australia. Sellers can choose to store inventory across their fulfillment centers in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to cut down the time needed to fulfil e-commerce orders. With their tech-integrated logistics and effective fulfillment, Locad is a leading fulfillment company for e-commerce businesses.
Locad lets sellers delegate the picking and packing of online store orders and prepare them for dispatch. In addition to regional fulfillment centers, Locad offers Australian businesses the opportunity to expand into other key markets with their global fulfillment centers to facilitate seamless cross-border expansion. Locad’s local carriers provide them with the added benefit of familiarity with the local market.
The Locads Order Management System (OMS) unifies sales from all online channels, such as Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce, and custom online stores. With a 360-degree view of sales, inventory storage and fulfillment status, Locad streamlines every order that’s placed without letting any slip through the cracks.
Additionally, Locad’s cloud-run OMS sends automated alerts qne scheduled reports to help businesses get real-time inventory levels, and shareable live tracking links, providing improved transparency and end-to-end visibility for merchants and their customers.
Locad’s Services Include:
– Fulfillment centers across key Australian hubs that enable same-day delivery/fulfillment
– Streamline multi-channel selling with varied demand through locked stock handling
– Manage sales order surge by logging in expected demand forecasts and sales
– Multichannel selling without space/inventory limitations set by marketplace-linked fulfillment center
– Account health widget that gives sellers an overview of their online store’s health status
– Batch management for proper inventory storage, retrieval, and dispatch of products with ideal shelf-life.
– Integrated logistics solutions to store, pick, pack and ship both B2B orders and D2C orders.
– Partnership with multiple top Australian last-mile carriers for preferential shipping rates and auto-assign carrier partners for economical shipping.
– Affordable plans and inventory-specific pricing for businesses across start up, scale up, enterprise segments.
Experience fulfillment by Locad today!
2.eFulfillment Service
eFulfillment Service offers a helping hand to Australian retailers by handling their e-commerce fulfillment needs. They specialise in integrating seamlessly with popular online shopping carts and marketplaces, ensuring efficient order processing. Their services encompass warehousing, picking & packing, and domestic and international shipping solutions, all designed to streamline operations and empower businesses to focus on growth.
What Customers Say
– Competitive Pricing
– Good customer service
– Delayed shipping
– Lengthy process
– Missing inventory
3. Flowspace
Flowspace simplifies e-commerce fulfillment for businesses by offering a one-stop shop solution. They combine a national network of fulfillment centers with user-friendly software. This allows businesses of all sizes to manage inventory, track orders, and fulfil shipments seamlessly through a single platform. Flowspace excels in fast and efficient delivery, helping brands meet customer expectations and boost satisfaction.
What Customers Say
– Good customer service
– Tech-integration
– Expensive
– Incorrect inventory count
– Inventory misplacing
– Delayed delivery
4. Fulfillment.com
Fulfillment.com offers warehousing and fulfillment services for businesses of all sizes. They boast a cloud-based platform for order tracking and inventory management, alongside customizable options like kitting and product inserts.
What Customers Say
– Same-day processing
– User-friendly platform
– Expensive
– Complicated return process
– Poor customer service
5. Newegg Logistics
Newegg Logistics, a subsidiary of the tech giant Newegg, caters to both B2C and B2B fulfillment needs. They offer a range of services including warehousing, order picking & packing, and domestic and international shipping solutions. Their strengths lie in using Newegg’s extensive network and established relationships with major carriers to secure competitive rates.
What Customers Say
– Fast fulfillment
– Handles large order volumes
– Lost packages
– Complicated return process
– Unsafe delivery of fragile items
6. Pro Prep and Fulfillment Australia
Pro Prep and fulfillment Australia caters specifically to the needs of Australian e-commerce businesses, particularly those selling online through marketplaces. They excel in preparing products for Amazon FBA (fulfillment by Amazon) compliance, handling everything from bagging and boxing to labelling and import/export customs clearance. This allows Australian businesses to leverage Amazon’s vast fulfillment network and reach customers across the country seamlessly. Beyond Amazon FBA prep, Pro Prep also offers general warehousing, fulfillment, and freight forwarding solutions, providing a one-stop shop for businesses looking to streamline their e-commerce operations in Australia.
What Customers Say
– On-time delivery
– Convenience for amazon FBA sellers
– Limited focus on non-amazon businesses
– Lack of pricing transparency
– Lack of scalability
– Poor customer service
7. Ruby Has Fulfillment
Ruby Has Fulfillment, now part of the ShipMonk network, was once a leading e-commerce fulfillment provider known for its high-quality services. They had a strategic network of warehouses across the country, enabling efficient distribution and potentially reducing shipping costs. Their focus was on providing a customised approach, catering to the specific needs of brands, particularly those requiring dedicated space and processes. Ruby Has also offered value-added services like kitting and packaging solutions.
What Customers Say
– Customised packaging
– Limited geographic coverage
– Complicated return process
– Shipping delays
– Poor customer service
8. SKUTOPIA
SKUTOPIA markets itself as a reliable 3PL in Australia, enabling e-commerce companies of all sizes to grow. They have a nationwide network of micro-warehouses that guarantee quicker delivery times and higher levels of customer satisfaction all around the nation. SKUTOPIA uses robotic technology to fulfil orders quickly and accurately, with the goal of streamlining processes and minimising errors.
They provide order picking and packing, shipping solutions, inventory management, and warehousing.
What Customers Say
– Scalable solutions
– Eco-friendly practices
– Expensive
– Limited geographical coverage
9. eCom Logistics
eCom Logistics positions itself as a one-stop shop for Australian e-commerce businesses seeking efficient and scalable fulfillment solutions. They operate as a 4PL provider, meaning they partner with a network of warehouses across Australia to offer strategic storage locations and streamlined distribution.
Their core services include warehousing, inventory management, order fulfillment (picking, packing, shipping), and even value-added services like kitting and customised packaging. They use a web-based warehouse management system that integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms, allowing for centralised order processing and real-time inventory tracking.
What Customers Say
– Tech-integration
– Scalable solutions
– Lack of pricing transparency
– Poor customer service
– Delayed shipping
10. Toll Group
Toll group is a 3PL fulfillment provider in Australia, offering a variety of services to ensure all the needs of your e-commerce business are met. With a strong hold on sustainability, Toll Group ensures to practise eco-friendly fulfillment by using fuel-efficient vehicles and eco-friendly packaging materials.
Additionally, with their Supply Chain Control Tower, you can monitor and address disturbances in real time, ensuring that your business operates smoothly.
What Customers Say:
– Good customer service
– Unreliable delivery
– No delivery updates
– Inaccurate tracking
– Longer delivery times
Top 10 Logistics Companies In Australia
Australia Post’s 2023 eCommerce Industry Report states that, in 2022, overall retail spending in the country was US$242 billion, a…
What Can Outsourcing To A Fulfillment Center Do For Your Australian Business?
The Australian e-commerce landscape is booming, fueled by a tech-savvy population and a growing embrace of online shopping. However, managing fulfillment operations in-house can quickly become a logistical hurdle, hindering your ability to scale and thrive. This is where outsourcing your logistics and fulfillment requirements to top fulfillment companies can be a game-changer.
By partnering with a reputable fulfillment company in Australia, you unlock a great deal of benefits that can:
1. Free Up Your Time and Resources: With a fulfillment center in Australia, you outsource core activities like warehousing, inventory management, and last mile fulfillment. This allows you to dedicate your valuable time and resources to core business activities like product development, marketing, and customer service. This translates into faster growth and a competitive edge without overwhelming your team.
2. Boost Efficiency with Advanced Inventory Management: Australian fulfillment centers leverage sophisticated inventory management systems that provide real-time data insights. This allows for accurate inventory forecasts across the warehouse and the SKUs allocated to sales channels, minimising the risk of stockouts and overstocking. A tech-driven fulfillment company can help you make data-driven decisions about product offerings and optimise inventory management to ensure smooth operations and happy customers.
3. Seamless Multi-Channel Selling: The days of managing separate inventory for different sales channels are over. A fulfillment center can centralise your inventory for different e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon and even your brick-and-mortar store (if applicable) in one location. By choosing a fulfillment center based on local order volume and decentralising inventory across multiple spaces without having to experience multiple pricing for different marketplace-linked storage, and ensuring scalable storage and consistent stock availability across all channels.
4. Nationwide Reach and Faster Deliveries: As customers seek faster fulfillment, e-commerce businesses need to automate order processing, speed up pick and pack and dispatch them for the last mile as quickly as possible. Fulfillment centers allow your e-commerce business to store inventory in strategically located warehouses across major cities and key distribution hubs. This way, your inventory is closer to customers, and your business can fulfil regional, national and international orders faster.
5. B2B Order Workflow Optimisation: For e-commerce merchants selling to both B2C (Business-to-Consumer) and B2B (Business-to-Business) clients, managing separate order workflow, inventory storage spaces can be complex. Australian 3PL providers with fulfillment centers can help sellers cater specifically to B2B needs, offering dedicated account managers, customised packing solutions for bulk orders, and expertise in handling complex B2B order fulfillment processes within the same platform.
E-commerce fulfillment in Australia
E-commerce fulfillment in Australia End to End managed fulfillment for e-commerce brandsThe backend of e-commerce is very tough. Managing the picking,…
Choosing The Right Fulfillment Provider In Australia
The first step is to define your business needs clearly. Are you a small, fast-growing business needing flexible solutions? Or do you require a robust provider with B2B fulfillment expertise? Consider your product type, order volume, the regions you receive orders from and geographic expansion goals. With those factors assessed, keep the following points in mind:
Key Factors to Evaluate:
- Services Offered: Does the fulfillment center offer the full suite of services you need, including warehousing, inventory management, order fulfillment, and potentially value-added options like kitting or returns processing?
- Geographic Coverage: Is the fulfillment center aligning with your target market? Can it cut down on shipping costs? National coverage is ideal for expansive reach, while fulfillment centers in key Australian regions like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane can offer expedited shipping and cater to international orders.
- Scalability: Can the fulfillment center offer additional space as demand surges or when the business scales? Can the fulfillment center give sellers the flexibility to choose the ideal storage space closer to a major customer base? Look for solutions that scale effortlessly as sales order volume increases and business scales.
- Pricing Structure: Compare pricing models and ensure transparency. Consider per-unit fulfillment fees, storage costs, and potential additional charges.
- Reputation and Reviews: Research the fulfillment centers track record in inventory storage, inventory retrieval, and pick and pack offerings. Read online reviews from other businesses to gauge customer experiences before signing the contract.
Conclusion
The e-commerce market in Australia has a lot of promise, and the right fulfillment center can help your e-commerce business boost sales and increase the profit margin.
The fulfillment center is a strategic partner in your e-commerce endeavour, not just a supplier of services.
With a top fulfillment center for your e-commerce business, you can conquer fulfillment challenges, streamline business operations, reduce costly overheads and ultimately achieve sustainable e-commerce growth.
