E-Commerce Fulfilment Solutions by Clarion: How Does It Work

Those who do not buy a single item from an e-commerce website are few in number. If we want to buy even a slipper, instead of grabbing it from the nearest store, we are first tempted to check out Amazon, Flipkart or other online shopping sites. Large collections, lowest prices, captivating offers and discounts are the main factors that drag customers into online shopping again and again. E-commerce not only began a new shopping culture but also brought out a revolution. The e-commerce network is wider and stronger which connects the buyer and sellers who are staying even in long distance. Without the interference of a salesman or shopkeeper, we buy the desired products which are stored in a warehouse somewhere and fetch them home with a few clicks or taps. Have you ever thought about what are the process that happening the order placement? Or how the products are dispensed to corresponding buyers accurately? This blog will help you to understand what is E-commerce fulfilment and how it works.

The term E-commerce fulfilment stands for the whole process of online trade that starts from receiving inventory to warehousing, processing orders, picking and packing goods and finally ends at delivering to the customer’s doorstep, and in some cases, returning items also.

Stages of E-commerce Fulfilment

E-commerce fulfilment is a large and wide network strongly interconnected between marketplaces, warehousing partners and courier services. Clarion serves third-party logistics (3PL), operating all the facets of fulfilment for B2B and B2C e-commerce. Let’s discuss the stages of supply chain management and how Clarion manipulates each stage as a fulfilment centre.

1. Receiving Inventory

In the initial stage, the inventory is received and stored in the fulfilment centre from the manufacturer. Perhaps, the factory and the fulfilment centre may be located in different countries. So that the goods are reached to the fulfilment centre either by sea or by air.

Clarion provides road, air and sea freight forwarding to more than 250 locations all over the world and Clarion possesses a gigantic warehouse of 375,000 square feet capable of storing 75,000 pallets. Also, we assist in order tracking and customs clearance to make your shipping obstacle-free.

Once the inventory is received, it undergoes a series of processes such as counting products, inspection for detecting damages, generating scannable bar codes, known as SKUs, and product data entry to warehouse management software. The pallets are then stacked on shelves, making them ready for order fulfilment.

 The software of marketplaces, fulfilment centres and courier services are interconnected. Once an order is placed, the details of the product and customer will be shared through the network. When an order is received, the pallets will be categorized by their delivery date.

• Warehouse Management

The second stage relies on effective warehouse management. A systematic approach is necessary for keeping e-commerce fulfilment successful and efficient. The inventory should be categorized and stacked on shelves for better retrieving and faster delivery. Maintaining a complete and accurate inventory record as well as tracking changes are necessary practices that should be followed simultaneously to analyse stock levels. Checking for products in stock, preparing the list of goods which are out of stock and replacing them, and returning damaged products are some of the responsibilities that fall under warehouse management.

Clarion offers a customized warehouse management system. Our warehouses are equipped with temperature control, which is beneficial for food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other industries that require strict temperature control and monitoring.

• Picking Item

When an order is placed on a marketplace such as Amazon, Flipkart or any other shopping site, the details and information about the item and customer will be registered on the central database. An order may be a single item from one location or multiple items that are located in different areas of the warehouse. A well-structured and organized warehouse management system can simplify the process.

Clarion always follows and implements modern technology to make the warehouse management system trouble-free. The advanced technology and automation that we executed assist our staff to track and pick the item simply and swiftly.

• Packing

Packing is an important stage in order fulfilment. Correctly boxed and efficiently sealed packaging influence the customers and it makes a certain image and perception about the brand in them. Also, neatly arranged and well-wrapped products enhance brand reputation and reliability.

Clarion always gives adequate attention to packaging. Because we constantly strive to develop better customer experience. We securely pack and label the orders with the necessary instructions. So, the staff will be vigilant and careful.

• Shipping

After the order is picked and packed securely, it will be shipped via collaborating courier partners. Shipping the orders without delay is important as this aspect also contributes to the user experience and impression of the brand.

Clarion collaborates with more than 90 marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart, Noon, Myntra, Shopify, and Ajio and more than 60 logistics partners including DHL, Blue Dart, DTDC, Delhivery, Shiprocket etc. We value our customers, which is why we bring the best partners in alliance with us to fulfil your order safely and smoothly.

• Return

In most cases, order fulfilment stages end in shipping, delivering the item to the customer’s doorstep. But, in some cases, it extends to return and it is also known as “reverse logistics”. If the customer is not satisfied with the product it will be shipped back to the fulfilment centre and the item will be stored on the same shelf where it was picked up for the next sale.

Customers get a refund as soon as the product is returned to the warehouse. Therefore, we give equal attention to returning products as we do in shipping. Once the returned product is received and inspected at our warehouse, we process the refund immediately.

Clarion is a one-stop shop for your all logistics needs. We are dedicated to making shipping simple and stress-free for our clients. Our devoted crew puts forth a lot of effort to make sure that your orders are processed and delivered with the utmost care. We are aware that shipping can be a challenging and challenging process. To avoid this, we go the extra mile to give our customers excellent support and guidance throughout the shipping process. Our team is always available to help you with any inquiries you may have, whether they relate to tracking your order, customs clearance, or anything else.