What works and what doesn’t work in Business?
It’s a golden question. And one that every entrepreneur wishes they had the answer to.
The world of business is full of pitfalls and curveballs. But we don’t always hear about the mistakes to avoid – until it’s a little too late to avoid them.
We hear all about brands and their successes, but not the 411 on how or why they made the decisions that took them to the top.
Enter Sippin & shipping, a podcast all about the front-row insights we’ve gathered as members of the 3PL industry.
But this podcast isn’t a behind-the-scenes feature on life as a 3PL. Let’s face it; 20-odd minutes of talk about SKUs and cross-docking would get dull pretty quickly.
The hidden world of logistics occupies a unique space between brands and the retail landscape at large. We get to see close up how businesses rise – and fall – with shifts in the economy, changing consumer expectations, and technological advances that leave some out in the cold.
That’s exactly what we’re here to share with you. The dos and don’ts, the strategies for success, and the importance of being able to move with the times – straight from the mouths of the business leaders and entrepreneurs who’ve been there and done it for themselves.
Because retail is changing fast – and brands need to change with it.
Welcome to the new age of retail
‘Ecommerce’ is hardly a new word in 2021, but it’s continuing to disrupt the world of retail.
We hardly need to mention how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up consumer shopping habits. But as traditional retailers try to capture some of that direct-to-consumer magic, there are going to be winners – and losers.
It’s worth pointing out that hearing about failure can be just as valuable as the success stories. For fulfillment providers, these stories are just as varied and diverse as the brands themselves. And the more stories we have, the more we can understand (and share) about shifting consumer expectations.
Make no mistake; succeeding as a retailer has never been more challenging.
The marketplace is massively overcrowded.
The cost of acquiring customers continues to climb.
And it’s the allure of the customer experience – not products – that decides whether a customer will make that all-important repeat purchase.
Whether it’s compelling social media content or the perfect unboxing (or both at once!) the customer experience has reached its zenith. Today’s brands need to coordinate seamless, end-to-end experiences that delight their end customer – from concept to doorstep.
But these seismic changes aren’t just limited to ecommerce. Brick and mortar is also shaping up to enter a very different arena than the one it left behind in the first quarter of 2020.
Why?
Because we’re long past the point of retailers being able to operate effectively with siloed selling channels. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that siloes are one of the biggest barriers to innovation and creativity.
The pandemic might have created a kaleidoscope of shuttered storefronts, but it’s also bought something new and welcome to in-store retail: flexibility.
As BOPIS and curbside pick-up flourishes, consumers have acquainted themselves with a new kind of brick and mortar – one that puts customer care, rather than bureaucracy, at the heart of things.
Because unless it works for your customer, it’s not going to work for you. (If retail in 2021 had a tagline, this would definitely be it).
So how exactly are brands navigating this shift, and what lies in store for the future of consumer-centered retail? How will this compete with considerations surrounding the supply chain and relationships with vendors?
We plan to answer this, and much more, as the series progresses.
Join us in our deep dive into the latest industry insights
As the architects of a lot of the moving and shaking within retail (no pun intended) 3PLs are the ultimate barometer for assessing these transformations – and how they affect the entrepreneurs seeking a gap in the market. Join us as we embark on a series filled with casual conversations with the insiders who can give you the real lowdown on how to set yourself up for success.
So, grab your favorite beverage, pull up a chair, and tune in every third Thursday.
