Amazon Fulfilment Centres eCommerce has evolved and grown so rapidly that it’s now possible to create and launch a new Amazon shop in less than a day.
For business owners, that means you have to work harder to compete to win orders from those customers buying from Amazon. To stay ahead, you’ve got to offer fast and efficient delivery for your customers.
That starts with fulfilment. You need a trusted partner to store, pack and ship your goods to customers. If you have a UK business, this article will help you find that partner.
Read on to learn about some of the key players in this industry. And use this guide to help find the perfect Amazon fulfilment centres for your eCommerce business.
What Is an Amazon Fulfilment Centre?
An Amazon fulfilment centre is a giant warehouse and logistics hub storing millions of items. Here, teams store, pack, and ship products sold on Amazon.
Amazon has in-house fulfilment centres. However, there are also third-party companies offering the same service. It means you can sell products on Amazon without buying a warehouse to store your goods.
When a customer orders, the team retrieves the item from the warehouse, packs it, and ships it.
These centres are expansive and highly efficient. They have the latest technology, including robots and voice-activated systems. So they offer small businesses the chance to compete with larger companies in eCommerce.
What to Consider When Choosing a Fulfilment Centre
Before choosing a UK fulfilment centre, it’s worth doing some research. There are several factors to consider to help you find the perfect fit.
Location
The centre should be well-connected to transport routes. This will help you quickly ship across the country to your Amazon customers, including next-day delivery.
Size
You need a fulfilment centre that can adapt as you grow as an online retailer. That means one with plenty of space. That’s particularly important if you sell large goods like furniture, which need significant square footage.
Technology
Modern warehouses offer the latest technology. It will mean a more efficient system with fewer errors. Check with the fulfilment centre about what they offer regarding automation and inventory management.
Costs
You’ll pay storage and delivery fees. All UK fulfilment centres have different pricing models. Check your requirements and what you expect to ship each month to help you compare like for like.
Performance and Customer Service
You want a reliable fulfilment centre that ships your goods to your customers on time. So check feedback from other business customers. Find out if the centre offers any performance targets or guarantees.
Amazon Fulfilment Centres in the UK
The UK has a thriving eCommerce industry. You have lots of options available when finding the right Amazon fulfilment centre. Here are five of the best to include on your shortlist.
AP Fulfilment
AP is a leading fulfilment company in the UK with expertise in furniture. They have built strong partnerships with transportation businesses. That means they can offer some of the most efficient delivery solutions and competitive rates.
Their technology includes pricing software helping them select the lowest-cost delivery option. They also have full integration with 60 other shopping platforms.
That makes it easier for customers to process and ship orders automatically.
They also offer order tracking as well as returns and repairs. With a flexible and reliable approach, they can operate almost as a partner. It’s a one-stop shop for fulfilment to help support a growing UK furniture eCommerce business.
Amazon FBA
FBA stands for Fulfilment by Amazon. These are Amazon-operated centres in the UK that form part of the commerce giant’s distribution network.
To use this solution, a business must sign up for Amazon’s FBA platform. Here, the platform stores and ships Amazon products sold by independent sellers.
When a customer orders, Amazon will fulfil it, covering all storage, packing and delivery in return for a fee. Amazon FBA is a massive operation and includes advanced automation technology.
Amazon has a reputation for being an efficient fulfilment solution with fast delivery timescales. It’s also highly robust and used by various companies, from tiny startups to larger, well-known brands.
Bezos
Bezos is a relative newcomer in the world of fulfilment. But they have an ambitious mission to support eCommerce for new, small and mid-sized businesses.
Bezos offers solutions allowing businesses to scale, helping small startup businesses compete with larger corporations.
They have a straightforward onboarding process for new businesses. Plus, they have a team to help customers start their fulfilment setup. Their service includes inventory, sales channel integration and order fulfilment.
They have the latest technology to automate processes. They also integrate with many other eCommerce platforms other than Amazon. That includes Shopify and Woocommerce.
ShipBob
ShipBob is another fulfilment company offering the latest technology and processes. They fulfil eCommerce orders from start to finish.
That process begins with the order and includes picking, packing and shipping; all tracked using advanced inventory management systems.
They have locations in the UK and a global presence, including the US and Australia. They integrate with many eCommerce platforms and have processes for return management.
Their system has a reputation for simplicity, making it easy for businesses to start. They also offer flexible pricing with customised packing and shipping options.
Asendia
Asendia has been around as a fulfilment centre for over a decade. It was originally established as a partnership between La Poste and Swiss Post. As well as the UK, they offer international eCommerce fulfilment solutions.
One of their selling points is their carbon-neutral delivery. That’s a useful feature if you have a brand that has an eco-friendly angle.
On top of the delivery and shipping, Asendia also offers eCommerce solutions and partnerships with other platforms. With reliable logistics and advanced technology, they provide businesses with a trusted and flexible fulfilment option.
Ship Your Products the Smart Way
Choosing the right fulfilment partner is the best way to enhance and grow your eCommerce business. This shortlist provides a starting point for finding the perfect Amazon fulfilment centres for your needs.
Always find one that fits your business model and gives you room to grow. Explore more about what AP fulfilment has to offer. Our bespoke solutions could be the key to growing your business. Discover more by getting in contact with our trusted team.
