Apparel Fulfillment


Clothing and Apparel Logistics

The apparel industry faces many complex challenges when it comes to inventory management and order fulfillment. 

Why is accuracy so important for apparel fulfillment?


HOW IS INVENTORY MANAGED FOR APPAREL FULFILLMENT?

With a high volume of SKUs, poor inventory management can be an apparel brand killer.  Adding the fact that fashion and styles change quickly, brands can be left with aged, unsold product that loses value and costs money to store season-after-season.


Brands must balance fill rate with a disciplined SKU assortment strategy to keep inventory levels as lean as possible. Item activity level reporting from a modern warehouse management system can proactively help clothing brands identify slow moving inventory to make room for new seasonal merchandise. This active inventory management will help your fulfillment provider keep its slotting plan up to date and enable more efficient picking.


HOW IS SEASONALITY MANAGED FOR APPAREL FULFILLMENT?

Many apparel brands have seasonal surges in order volume. Whether it’s around the holidays, or through social media promotions or as the temperatures change, being able to scale your fulfillment capacity at these times is vitally important. When logistics companies can prepare for seasonal or promotional marketing events by leveraging communication, forecasting and planning, it drives improvements in order cycle time. Fulfillment providers can operate in a much more cost-effective and efficient manner when not in a “reactionary mode."


WHAT ARE THE PACKAGING DEMANDS FOR APPAREL FULFILLMENT?

Apparel packaging is an important consideration from both a branding and product protection standpoint. If an order is going directly to a consumer, the packaging and presentation is essential.  If an order is going to a retail outlet, the carton needs to be labeled properly to avoid chargebacks. To improve industry best practice is for master cartons and units to be barcoded and packaged with one style, size and color per carton.  Does your apparel, or a specific product line require hangers?  If so, your fulfillment facility will need dedicated hanging space.  Considerations and steps also need to be made if your inventory needs to be bagged, packaged, or folded in a certain way. 


WHAT VALUE-ADDED SERVICES ARE IMPORTANT FOR APPAREL FULFILLMENT?

Value-added services are an increasingly important consideration for apparel brands. Based on your specific needs and customer expectations, these additional options can offer a competitive advantage and reinforce your brand’s image. Packaging, kitting, bundling, labeling and personalization are five common and popular value-added services. Whether you need custom designed packaging or have a variety of components that need to be transformed into finished kits, there are different service options that can meet these needs.


HOW ARE RETURNS HANDLED FOR APPAREL FULFILLMENT?

Every warehouse is not for everyone, however, the relationship with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ has been more of a partnership and an extension of our company versus a traditional client-customer relationship. It is invaluable to have a partner who is just as equally invested in your success.

— eCommerce Apparel Retailer

our team has been doing a great job for us. We are subject to the vagaries of major customers, which often create logistical challenges. The ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ team has been a great partner to support us in successfully navigating through those challenges.

— CEO Active Lifestyle Apparel Brand

The team works with and supports the changes in our business. As the business continues to grow, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ has grown with us, contributing to the success of our business.

— Luxury Apparel Retailer

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ understands how important it is to turn orders as quickly as possible to capitalize on our season. Their management of the Walmart inventory and assemblies has been great and has resulted in high OTIF scores.

— CEO Active Lifestyle Apparel Brand

APPAREL FULFILLMENT BLOG

By Katherine Wroth October 24, 2025
FRANKLIN, Mass. — ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Centers has been selected by Pompa Program , a Utah-based health and wellness company specializing in cellular health analysis and proprietary supplement products, to manage its direct-to-consumer (D2C) fulfillment and transportation operations. The partnership expands Pompa’s fulfillment footprint across the Eastern United States, ensuring faster, more reliable two-day delivery on all orders. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½’s Hickory Hill, Tennessee, facility will serve as the dedicated fulfillment hub, offering food-grade, temperature-controlled space and advanced inventory management systems to support its growth. “We chose ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ because they provide the perfect combination of experience and long-term partnership,” said Bryan Oviatt , director of supply chain at Pompa. “Their proven expertise in health, beauty and wellness made them the clear choice. We’re also excited about future NetSuite integration capabilities to further enhance efficiency. We see ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ as an extension of our team and look forward to what’s ahead.” From fulfilling cellular health testing kits to distributing premium supplements, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ delivers the operational scalability needed to support its expanding customer base. “We’re thrilled to partner with such a fast-growing and innovative health and wellness brand like Pompa,” said Mark Healy , vice president of customer solutions at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. “Our goal is to provide a scalable foundation that supports their continued success and ambitious growth plans.” Pompa’s operations recently launched from one of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½’s Memphis distribution centers, a state-of-the-art facility built for high-volume, temperature-sensitive fulfillment. About ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Centers Since 1941, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision makers. As a member of Inc's fastest growing companies list 15+ times, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ directly here . About Pompa Program The Pompa Program framework integrates nutraceuticals, personalized nutrition, metabolic support and one-on-one coaching to correct dysfunction at its cellular source. Participants work with trained coaches to identify upstream factors such as heavy metal exposure, hormonal imbalances and gut dysbiosis that drive inflammation and cellular damage. Guided by Daniel Pompa, participants gain practical tools and support to detoxify their bodies, restore metabolic balance and improve overall wellness. Official Release Here
By Katherine Wroth October 16, 2025
Franklin, MA — ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Centers is proud to announce a new partnership with Willo , an oral hygiene company creating innovative dental products for kids. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ will provide warehousing, fulfillment and transportation services to support Willo’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) and Fulfillment by Amazon operations. Willo’s decision came down to culture and size — finding a partner with the operational strength to meet aggressive growth goals while maintaining trust and close collaboration. “ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ struck the perfect balance for us. They are big enough to support our aggressive growth plans yet small enough to feel like a true partner,” said Rachel Blender , operations manager at Willo. “After going through multiple 3PL changes in the past, I knew we needed a partner we could trust for the long haul. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ is that partner.” Willo, a company led by oral health experts, recently launched the Willo AutoFlo+, the world’s first fully automated toothbrush designed specifically for kids ages 5 to 13. The device automates brushing from start to finish, dispensing toothpaste and using the uniquely shaped OptiClean brush head to replicate the perfect brushing motion every time. “When Rachel reached out during the RFP process, I knew right away that Willo was the perfect partner for ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½,” said Harrison Smith , director of pricing and contract logistics. “Their values, ambition and innovative spirit mirror our own, and that alignment sets the stage for something truly special. We’re excited to collaborate and help bring AutoFlo+ toothbrushes to homes across the country.” Headquartered in New York City, Willo will operate out of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½’s Hickory Hill, Tennessee facility. Beyond product innovation, Willo is committed to advancing children’s oral health education through community partnerships and outreach programs. The company plans to expand its product line and reach more families nationwide in the coming years. About ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Centers Since 1941, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision makers. As a member of Inc's fastest growing companies list 15+ times, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ directly here . About Willo Founded on a mission to revolutionize children's oral health, Willo combines innovative design, advanced technology, and decades of oral health expertise to create breakthrough dental products for children. Our automatic toothbrush is designed to give kids ages 5-13 a confident smile while parents can breathe a sigh of relief. Developed with dentists and parent-approved, Willo helps kids build strong brushing habits that last a lifetime. Official Release Here
By Katherine Wroth September 23, 2025
Franklin, Mass. — ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Centers has been chosen by Tumble Living , a Los Angeles–based home goods company known for its washable area rugs, to handle nationwide direct-to-consumer fulfillment from Somerset, New Jersey.  By positioning inventory closer to its core U.S. customer base, Tumble will improve delivery times and reduce total supply chain costs. “After evaluating several competitors, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ stood out as the best fit,” said Julie Tang , vice president of operations at Tumble. “Their team proved they could scale with our growth, impressed us with strong site visits and backed it up with trusted references and solid technology. We’re excited about what this means for our customers and confident this partnership will take the Tumble experience to the next level.” Key factors in the decision included ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½’s speed to launch, seamless technology integration and available capacity to support Tumble’s growth. “This new partnership with Tumble highlights exactly what ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ does best: mobilizing quickly and being able to scale efficiently with high-growth brands,” said Dan Klenkar , vice president of customer solutions at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. “We’re excited to launch this exciting brand in our NJ facility and look forward to supporting their aggressive growth.” This new partnership ensures Tumble can scale operations quickly while enhancing service to households nationwide. About Tumble Living Tumble was founded by Justin Soleimani and Zach Dannett. It was born from their desire to bring a fresh, customer-focused perspective to an industry that's traditionally been slow to evolve. As seasoned furniture industry professionals and frustrated homeowners, they recognized the need for thoughtfully designed, beautiful products at attainable prices—products that adapt to their customers' lifestyles, not the other way around. About ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Centers Since 1941, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision makers. As a member of Inc's fastest growing companies list 15+ times, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ directly here . Official Release Here
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CASE STUDY

APPAREL FULFILLMENT

APPAREL FULFILLMENT CASE STUDY

We have also dealt with requirements for counterfeit product detection and management of the brand threat, while ensuring that all solutions position Vibram to scale, with orders and delivery (direct to consumer and to retail channels) capable of fast response as orders grow in number and complexity.

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