With social distancing in full swing and governments limiting which businesses can and cannot operate during quarantine, many companies are grappling with what appears to be — at least for now — the new normal. In fact, a survey from the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) found that 95% of firms expect to see some kind of disruption due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

For resilient companies looking to invest in business continuity during this time, it’s essential to evaluate what you can do to meet customers where they are. Increasingly often during city, state, and national lockdowns, that’s proven to be through e-commerce platforms. Indeed, as consumers rely on digital marketplaces and businesses’ websites in order to meet many of their needs, shippers are facing more significant to serve their patrons as efficiently online as they would in person.

Accordingly, shippers and supply chain managers need to consider how they invest in e-commerce efficiency in order to satisfy customer expectations while also laying the groundwork for business continuity during uncertain times. By partnering with the right third-party logistics partner (3PL), for example, businesses can leverage existing infrastructure and hard-won logistics expertise to streamline their e-commerce operations.

Strategic Digital Operations

As consumers turn to e-commerce platforms while on lockdown, businesses must be prepared to handle a steady stream of orders and requests coming in from multiple channels. This means that maintaining e-commerce efficiency depends on deploying the digital tools necessary to handle omni-channel logistics. These tools, such as order management systems (OMS), streamline online orders from multiple channels and ensure a smooth and effective fulfillment process. 

With a 3PL, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) can leverage these tools to manage orders better and exercise end-to-end visibility over their e-commerce operation. Equipped with more accurate information about their online business, companies can also improve the quality of their customer service by providing patrons with more up-to-date details on the status of their orders and expected fulfillment timelines. 

Improved Warehouse Management

An effective fulfillment operation depends on effective warehouse management. From the strategic placement of warehouses across the country to streamlined work within them, fulfillment facilities are the make-or-break distinction between businesses that excel in the e-commerce economy and those that struggle to break through. 

With a warehouse management system (WMS), SMBs that invest in their relationship with their 3PL can reap the benefits of industry-leading warehousing infrastructure as well as the digital technology needed to make the most of that infrastructure. From streamlining the picking, packing, and shipping process to strategically controlling inventory to meet shifts in demand, 3PLs with advanced infrastructure — and advanced logistics software — can help shippers punch above their weight in the e-commerce economy. 

Domestic and International Logistics Partnerships

In the end — to effectively manage a surge in e-commerce fulfillment demands — shippers need to have access to reliable partnerships. Working with experienced logistics providers with domestic and international reach can help businesses locate inventory closer to critical points of business, predict and adapt to unexpected logistical obstacles, and deliver on demanding customer expectations. 

While large corporations may have the capacity to maintain this level of fulfillment infrastructure on their own, SMBs working to establish their place in the market likely do not. Accordingly, they should consider how working with a 3PL can extend their logistical reach and support them as they seek to maintain business continuity in an increasingly digital marketplace. 

With a proven track record of e-commerce excellence, Primary Logistics has the infrastructure and expertise necessary to streamline your online fulfillment operation. If you’re looking for targeted e-commerce support or help with warehousing and distribution, our award-winning customer service team is standing by. And, with locations across the country, we have the logistics footprint needed to support growth in a critical time. 

If you’d like to learn more about how award-winning shipping and logistics services from Primary Logistics and Primary Freight, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.

While city, state, and national governments may be responding to the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus in different ways, one thing that is content for everyone involved is change. From employees working remotely from home and manufacturing hubs curtailing operations to the spike in e-commerce spending and other shifts in consumer behavior, the economic impact of COVID-19 has been swift and decisive. 

For shippers caught in this international lurch, it may not be immediately apparent what the best way is to respond to the pandemic’s manifold logistics challengers. Supply chains face serious disruption, businesses have seen supply and demand dynamics evolve overnight, and import/export operations have become more convoluted as countries institute different types of travel bans. In short, the logistics landscape looks radically different than it did just one month ago. 

This means that many organizations — small and mid-sized businesses especially — are on their own in terms of navigating an unprecedented level of humanitarian and economic uncertainty. As companies plot their paths forward and attempt to meet their customers’ needs, it’s critical that they adopt resilient logistics strategies that can protect their workers, secure their supply chains, and ensure their business continuity.

1. Assess Your Risks

First, shippers need to take time to assess their risks and prepare accordingly. If stress points haven’t already been identified throughout their supply chains at this point, it’s important that stakeholders map them and analyze how they might affect the rest of the supply chain down the line. For instance, working with suppliers, vendors, and other providers deep into your supply chain can help you pinpoint where disruptions might occur and what steps will need to be taken to respond. 

From here, decision-makers can then get into the specifics to better understand their risks. Where are particularly critical bottlenecks? How long until they surpass crisis levels? By developing a thorough picture of how your business partners are responding to this situation, you can then work with your internal teams to adjust your supply chain strategies and ensure business continuity.

2. Emphasize Customer Service

While businesses urgently need to figure out how their particular responses to this new normal, it’s equally urgent that they continue to emphasize the customer experience. Right now, consumers are just as unsure as businesses what the next few weeks and months hold. Accordingly, businesses that go the extra mile to put their customers front and center will earn their trust during the COVID-19 outbreak and — importantly — afterward.

To do so, shippers should do everything in their power to keep their customers informed about anything that might affect their experience. If disruptions throughout the supply chain might delay orders, it’s important to let customers know and provide them with an updated fulfillment timeline. If businesses are noticing that consumer behavior is shifting and that certain products are becoming more popular during lockdown, it’d be wise to adapt accordingly — and let customers know about your efforts — so that you can meet evolving client needs. 

3. Invest in a 3PL

Finally, shippers should invest in partnerships with trusted and experienced logistics providers to better adapt to the pandemic’s unique challenges. While larger enterprises may have the internal infrastructure needed to weather global uncertainty, small and mid-sized businesses are likely struggling to adapt on their own. By leveraging the expertise and resources of a third-party logistics provider, these companies can ensure their business continuity in a logistics landscape dominated by volatility. 

With two-plus decades of experience in international and domestic shipping and logistics, Primary Freight is strategically positioned to help businesses navigate such a volatile market. Whether you’re looking to streamline your supply chain with a comprehensive integrated logistics program or you’re interested in targeted support for your project cargo operation in an unpredictable market, our award-winning customer service team can help. Reach out today to learn how Primary Freight can help secure and support your supply chain. 

If you’d like to learn more about how Primary Freight’s award-winning shipping services, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.

With COVID-19 spreading around the world, public organizations and private businesses have taken extraordinary steps to contain the virus. From closing schools and imposing curfews to limiting public gatherings and shuttering brick-and-mortar businesses, countries are enforcing a wide range of precautions designed to keep people safe.

For businesses denied access to their traditional markets, however, the novel coronavirus has raised a unique array of obstacles. How can shippers stay competitive with business-as-usual no longer an option? What logistics infrastructure is available to them to meet customers who are quarantined at home and limiting their brick-and-mortar shopping?

Thankfully, e-commerce logistics can provide a way forward. By investing in the infrastructure and partnerships necessary to adapt to shifting consumer behavior, businesses can evolve to meet the challenges posed by COVID-19 and continue building meaningful working relationships with partners and customers during a trying time.

COVID-19’s Effect on Global Supply Chains

With so many businesses’ physical locations closed, companies are already having to adapt to global supply chains being seriously upended. In fact, a recent survey on the topic found that 73% of buyers and users of freight transportation and logistics services have experienced disruptions to their supply chains because of the novel coronavirus. These disruptions have been linked to a wide range of factors, including quarantines around the world, travel bans, and managing inbound demand in relation to anticipated demand — among others.

As companies grapple with the effects of such steps, it’s critical that they have plans in place to continue operations and customer fulfillment. However, according to the same survey, only 55% of respondents have risk management plans in place designed to ensure supply chain continuity and meet customer demand. This means that a significant number of businesses are attempting to navigate this unprecedented crisis on their own. 

Adapting to Shifts in Consumer Behavior

Businesses’ risk management plans should give them the stability they need to continue critical operations while providing enough flexibility to adapt to shifting consumer behavior. During the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, customers have begun relying more heavily on e-commerce in order to fulfill basic needs. Due to the nature of this crisis — and the reality of social distancing for many people — shopping from the comfort and safety of home has become a necessity,

Accordingly, the companies that are ready to tap into the e-commerce economy stand the best chance of maintaining a competitive edge. Shippers will need to be able to streamline orders across platforms, manage picking, packing, and shipping, and work with customers throughout the fulfillment process to provide them with the information they need. By doing so, companies can continue doing business, even as in-person transactions are limited. 

Where Experienced Logistics Providers Can Help

For businesses looking to adapt to the COVID-19 crisis, investing in supply chain continuity and e-commerce logistics is a must. By having the resources ready and the infrastructure in place to meet customers where they are — even in quarantine — companies can deliver products that customers rely on and demonstrate their resilience, even in an uncertain market. 

However, while large enterprises may have the resources to handle their e-commerce operation on their own, small and mid-sized businesses may not have the resources to bring this infrastructure in-house. That doesn’t mean that SMBs should cede the market to their larger peers, though. Instead, these companies should be ready to work with third-party logistics partners who can help them navigate the ins and outs of the e-commerce landscape. 

With a proven track record of success, Primary Logistics has the experience and infrastructure need to navigate our current crisis. From warehousing and distribution to targeted fulfillment support, the award-winning team at Primary Logistics is uniquely suited to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak adapt to consumer demand and succeed in the e-commerce market. 

If you’d like to learn more about how award-winning shipping and logistics services from Primary Logistics and Primary Freight, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.

For supply chain managers and other shipping and logistics insiders, it’s clear that the marketplace is evolving — and evolving quickly. Between shifting consumer behavior, game-changing logistics technologies, and other transformative market forces, effectively managing supply chains to deliver on customer expectations and control costs is becoming more and more challenging. 

However, supply chain managers know how to adapt, and they understand the importance of making these transformative forces work for their operations. In fact, a recent industry survey found that 60% of respondents think that improving their operational efficiency and effectiveness is the best way to stay relevant in the marketplace. Following that, 22% want to be the disruptors and dramatically reimagine the way their supply chains operate while 18% are working on being resilient and adapting to market disruptions. 

Whatever strategy supply chain managers take in order to lead their teams through the shipping and logistics sector, it’s critical that they have the infrastructure and resources necessary to make these changes work for them. By working with an experienced logistics provider with institutional knowledge and existing infrastructure in place, they can hit the ground running and add value to their operation in these three key ways. 

1. Improving Customer Service Through Greater Supply Chain Visibility

Streamlined, efficient supply chains are the best foundation for long-term business development. Accordingly, delivering on customer expectations and controlling costs for consumers and businesses alike are key goals for supply chain management, but realizing them is easier said than done. To that end, an Accenture study found that 70% of industry professionals expect that supply chain management will be a determining factor in improving customer service.

This means that creating a better experience for customers and other partners depends on gaining end-to-end visibility over your entire supply chain. By doing so, businesses can offer their customers with critical insights into delivery timelines, help them plan ahead if there are any supply chain disruptions, and streamline work with industry partners who rely on that supply chain data. 

2. Streamlining Critical Supply Chain Bottlenecks with Transportation Management

As supply chain managers contend with rising transportation prices and a volatile shipping landscape, they need to find ways to control costs so that they’re not passed on to their customers or absorbed by their own operation. With the cost of shipping for businesses hitting record highs, it’s up to supply chain managers to find cost-effective solutions that keep overhead from getting out of hand. 

Transportation management systems (TMS) are an essential piece of this puzzle, providing greater insights into the status of orders, the movement of delivery vehicles, and other critical business data — all of which can help managers better understand how their supply chain operates in real-time. Industry research has even found that using the right TMS can help businesses save an average of 8% on their total freight costs. In an industry with tight margins, these savings present a valuable opportunity to lower costs for customers and re-invest in your supply chain.

3. Investing in Industry-Leading Warehouse Technology

As supply chain managers look for ways to improve their operational efficiency and their ability to adapt in the market, warehouse, and inventory management tools have gone from perks to necessities. These tools can help supply chain professionals monitor consumer behavior, make sure stock levels are maintained properly and use space as efficiently as possible. 

These benefits are backed up by industry research. By effectively using technology in the warehouse, studies have shown that companies can boost productivity by 25%, improve space usage by 20%, and increase stock use efficiency by 30%. With only 18% of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) using these kinds of tools, there’s a unique opportunity to gain a competitive edge by investing in it sooner rather than later. 

Finding the Best Logistics Provider for Your Supply Chain

By investing in the latest supply chain technology available and by adapting to proven industry trends, supply chain managers can deliver on customer expectations, control costs, and boost their operation’s ROI. However, not all companies have the resources on hand to make the kind of capital expenditures necessary to bring this technology in-house. Instead, they should consider working with an experienced logistics provider with the institutional knowledge and available infrastructure to meet their evolving supply chain needs. 

With two-plus decades of experience in the shipping and logistics industry, Primary Freight has the resources supply chain managers need to update their operation and keep pace with market changes. Our award-winning team of logistics experts can help you with every aspect of supply chain success, from managing ocean and air freight to improving warehousing and fulfillment operations. No matter the size of your business or your industry, Primary Freight has the expertise necessary to transform your supply chain management strategy. 

If you’d like to learn more about how Primary Freight’s award-winning shipping services, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.

With e-commerce sales poised to surpass $740 billion by 2023, it’s no secret to e-commerce stakeholders that friction between Amazon and FedEx is growing. However, exactly how this friction will manifest going forward isn’t yet settled business. Amazon and FedEx have each instituted bans of sorts on each other over the past year — disputes which have unnecessarily put online businesses in their crosshairs. What this ongoing back-and-forth between Amazon and FedEx means for e-commerce shippers is unclear. 

For example, FedEx announced that it would not renew its FedEx Express US domestic contract with the online marketplace this past summer. And, in December, Amazon stated that it would block third-party sellers from using FedEx’s Ground delivery for Amazon Prime parcels. However, Amazon recently lifted that ban just weeks after instituting it during the busiest online shopping period of the year. 

For online businesses that depend on reliable, cost-effective shipping, service disruptions caused by repeated disagreements between Amazon and FedEx can be difficult. What’s more, updating supply chains to account for these bans only to have them reversed a few weeks later can be wasteful for small and mid-sized businesses working to find their footing in an increasingly competitive space. By working with trusted third-party logistics partners (3PLs) like Primary Logistics, however, e-commerce merchants rely on a tried-and-tested logistics network to get the job done without the fuss of Amazon and FedEx’s rivalry. 

Growing Logistics Friction Between Amazon and FedEx

As Amazon and FedEx, each invest more heavily in their e-commerce logistics infrastructure, the series of bans they’ve announced take on greater and greater import. For example, Amazon’s recent ban on third-party sellers working with FedEx’s ground delivery service for Amazon Prime packages came at a critical time of year. Amazon had announced that FedEx ground delivery was not meeting fulfillments thresholds required under Prime, abruptly barring its use during the height of the holiday season. 

Surprisingly, Amazon lifted the ban right after the holiday season had ended, explaining that FedEx ground once again met the criteria necessary for Amazon Prime deliveries. While the move is a positive development for e-commerce sellers who work with both Amazon and FedEx, the disruption during the height of the holiday season affected supply chains, logistics partnerships, and more. What’s more, sellers that may have spent valuable time updating their shipping operation are now faced with the question of whether or not to revert back to the status quo. 

What This Means for E-Commerce Shippers

For small and mid-sized businesses trying to carve out a niche in the e-commerce space, fulfilling orders in a timely and cost-effective manner is a must — especially when it comes to building customer loyalty. Disruptions in the shipping process are one of the fastest ways to lose online businesses, with 69% of consumers saying that they are less likely to shop with an e-retailer in the future if a past order was delivered late. 

Given that, the back-and-forth bans from Amazon and FedEx jeopardize supply chain reliability and ongoing fulfillment operations. Rather than invest in the stability of 3PLs with professional expertise navigating the logistics market like Primary Logistics, businesses that work exclusively with these e-commerce and logistics giants risks putting their reputation with customers in the middle of growing friction between Amazon and FedEx.

Investing in the Right 3PL for Your Business

While larger enterprises may have the resources to coordinate their e-commerce logistics operation on their own, it can be difficult for SMBs to do the same without expending precious capital. However, this doesn’t mean that these online merchants should submit themselves to the unpredictability of Amazon and FedEx’s confrontations. By working with a 3PL like Primary Logistics, online merchants can tap into existing logistics infrastructure while building a reliable relationship with an experienced family-owned business. 

Indeed, with a track record of excellence in domestic and international logistics, Primary Logistics is strategically positioned to help e-commerce shippers thrive in the developing online landscape. Our team of award-winning logistics experts can work with your business to navigate Amazon’s shipping requirements — as well as your own — in order to fulfill your customers’ order, build client loyalty, and lay a solid foundation for e-commerce success going forward. 

If you’d like to learn more about how award-winning shipping and logistics services from Primary Logistics and Primary Freight, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.

Change is the defining factor of today’s shipping and logistics market. From the introduction of new supply chain technology to critical events on the world stage, the number of variables disrupting domestic and international supply chains is growing. In fact, a recent study found that supply chain impact events occurred at a record-setting rate in the first six months of 2018. This rate hit 29% — a marked increase from 25% in 2017 and 19% in 2016. 

For businesses attempting to navigate this dynamic landscape, finding trustworthy logistics partners, and investing in strategic working relationships with them is a necessity. With integrated logistics providers (ISPs) in particular, it’s possible for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) to leverage third-party shipping infrastructure and networks for the benefit of their supply chain, ultimately de-siloing and integrating disparate parts of the logistics journey into a streamlined, cost-effective process.

As businesses look for the right ISP to partner with—such as Primary Freight—they should consider how a family-owned logistics provider can drive value for their shipping operation both in the short term and long run. Through a combination of consistency amid market volatility and an emphasis on trust and substantive working relationships central to family businesses, shippers can count on a steady hand to guide their logistics operation through what is an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable shipping landscape. 

Consistency Amid Market Volatility

As the previously discussed study demonstrates, a wide range of variables has made the logistics market a particularly volatile sector. With new technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and Big Data changing the way that businesses operate at an essential level and political contingencies such as mounting tariffs, frequent natural disasters, and shifting political winds playing out internationally, businesses need a steady and knowledgeable hand to help them navigate these changes and turn them into profitable opportunities. 

With a family-owned ISP as a partner, shippers get just that. Family-operated logistics companies offer the kind of consistent and stable leadership needed to confidently operate in the logistics market. At Primary Freight, clients benefit from our tightly-knit structure and a dynamic decision-making process, allowing us to act on their behalf as needed at the moment. Whether this leadership is dedicated to consistent digital transformation or circumventing supply chain disruptions, a family-owned ISP is a strategic value-add. 

An Emphasis on Trust and Working Relationships

As any supply chain manager can tell you, the logistics market places a premium on trust. While contractual obligations drive key parts of the shipping sector, knowing that you can rely on your supply chain partners to act in your best interest is a must. Whether that involves being upfront and honest about costs or providing the kind of transparency necessary to plan for critical parts of your supply chain, these working relationships need to be built on solid ground if they’re going to succeed for everyone involved. 

By working with a family-owned ISP, shippers can invest in supply chain partnerships that put trustworthiness front and center. After all, when you’re doing business with companies that are owned and operated by family members such as Primary Freight, you know you’re dealing with reliable experts in the field who have spent their lives understanding the shipping and logistics landscape. What’s more, this level of trust can give shippers the confidence to commit to a fully integrated supply chain that takes advantage of the newest technology in the market. 

A Proven Track Record of Success and Accountability

While large enterprises may have the resources to navigate the complexities of international shipping and logistics on their own, the same can’t always be said for SMBs. However, that doesn’t mean that more modest businesses should yield exciting opportunities to the biggest companies on the market. Instead, SMBs should consider how working with a family-owned ISP can allow them to leverage existing logistics infrastructure and substantive domestic and international working relationships to give them the reach they need to compete in a particularly dynamic market. 

With two-plus decades in shipping and logistics, Primary Freight has a proven track record of success and accountability. Our family-owned operation can provide shippers with the full range capabilities necessary to integrate siloed business processes and create a more unified and strategic supply chain. From sourcing and manufacturing to warehousing, shipping, and distribution, Primary Freight has the cutting-edge infrastructure and dependable working relationships necessary for shippers to succeed. If you’re looking for a family-operated integrated logistics services provider that will be as invested in your success as theirs, the team at Primary Freight can help. 

If you’d like to learn more about how Primary Freight’s award-winning shipping services, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.

While shippers have long emphasized their product offerings and prices as a key metric of success, the evolving nature of the logistics landscape is changing that. Although customers still keep an eye on the specifics of the products they’re purchasing and their price compared to similar offerings elsewhere, investing in the overall e-commerce customer experience is emerging as the primary way of attracting — and keeping — loyal shoppers. 

In fact, a recent survey drives home this exact point. Research conducted by BluJay Solutions — titled “Focus on Customer Experience: Research on Supply Chain Priorities and Investments” — reveals interesting shifts taking place across the e-commerce market. For shippers determined to stake their claim in an environment seemingly dominated by giants such as Amazon, focusing not just on what customers are getting from you but how they are getting it has never been more important. 

To that end, shippers need to consider where their priorities lie. While specific products and prices will certainly continue to play a critical role in market competition, building a supply chain that puts the customer experience front and center is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. For small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) considering how to make these investments possible, third-party logistics partners (3PLs) and integrated logistics service providers (ISPs) will continue to be a cost-effective and strategic choice. 

The Results of the Customer Experience Survey

The “Focus on Customer Experience” report found a notable consensus among logistics stakeholders about the nature of market priorities. According to the report, 61% of survey respondents agree or strongly agree that customer experience will play a more important role than product and price as the primary brand differentiator over the next five years. Delivering an improved customer experience also became the main driver of supply chain innovation for 30% of respondents. 

Additionally, the report noted that business intelligence and analytics, visibility and control tower, and transportation emerged as top investment focuses going forward. Greater electronic communication with trading partners also topped the survey as a defining factor in improved supply chain performance among multiple stakeholders. 

What This Means for Shippers Committed to Supply Chain Innovation

For shippers committed to staking their claim in the e-commerce market, the results of this survey underscore the importance of investing in the customer experience, from the first touch to the last mile of delivery. Customers — now accustomed to the end-to-end visibility provided by online shipping giants and a steady stream of alerts and notifications about the status of their orders — expect a comprehensive experience that treats them as an equal in the fulfillment process. 

Accordingly, shippers should invest in the digital and physical infrastructure necessary to offer their own customers these benefits. From greater online customer services resources to more advanced freight tracking services — such as the Internet of Things and visibility into OMS, WMS, and TMS software — shippers have considerable options at their disposal to make the customer experience more informed and participatory.  

Our Emphasis on the E-Commerce Customer Experience

While larger operations may have the resources and capital to make these infrastructural investments on their own, the same can’t be said for SMBs carving out a niche for themselves in the wider e-commerce marketplace. However, that doesn’t mean that these shippers don’t have a critical role to play in delivering valued products to committed customers. Rather than attempt to go it alone, SMBs should consider how working with a 3PL or ISP can allow them to leverage the kind of digital and physical infrastructure needed to make the most of the e-commerce customer experience. 

With a proven track record of success in the e-commerce space, Primary Logistics has the resources SMBs need to thrive in a competitive marketplace. Our award-winning customer service team and extensive domestic and international business relationships give shippers immediate access to the kind of resources necessary to succeed in e-commerce fulfillment. Whether you’re looking for a targeted logistics solution or a comprehensive e-commerce overhaul, the team at Primary Logistics is ready to help. 

If you’d like to learn more about how award-winning shipping and logistics services from Primary Logistics and Primary Freight, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.

To be successful, shippers need to consider how they fit into the wider market. From there, they can strategically position themselves to appeal to their target consumer base and adjust their operations accordingly. However, it’s no longer enough for businesses just to focus on their regular transactions with customers. Instead, leading brands understand the importance of putting their values first and letting a greater purpose guide them. 

Putting a focus on giving back does more than just make a positive impact, however. Studies increasingly show that customers are drawn to companies that are community-minded and committed to a guiding purpose. By staying true to their values, socially conscious shippers and their logistics partners can help those in need and build a lasting relationship between their businesses and their patrons. 

For shippers interested in working with logistics providers that lead with their values, it’s important to do the research necessary to understand which integrated logistics service providers (ISPs) and third-party logistics partners (3PLs) are committed to their communities. Working with values-driven ISPs or 3PLs can be the first step toward creating a supply chain that reflects your values as a company. 

Why Community-Minded Companies Succeed

 Socially conscious shippers and logistics providers have good reason to invest in their communities. For starters, companies that are committed to their values can be a force for positive change, putting their resources to good use and helping those less fortunate in times of need. Doing so can also help develop a trustworthy relationship with the community and boost morale for internal employees by demonstrating that they work for an organization sensitive to the needs of others.

Additionally, studies show that the vast majority of consumers prefer to do business with community-minded companies. For example, 79% of Americans report being more loyal to brands that are driven by a guiding purpose and 70% of Americans are proud to be associated with companies that make a positive impact. Clearly, by giving back in some way, businesses can make a positive impact on the lives of others while fostering a stronger relationship with their customers. 

What Businesses Can Do to Give Back

The way that businesses give back should reflect their unique values and their specific relationship with their community. For example, companies with a commitment to environmental causes can invest in a more sustainable supply chain and work with local organizations that preserve local parks and similar natural sites.

In the same vein, businesses that want to help those less fortunate in their communities can lead canned food drives and give back to disadvantaged families. They can also support employees who may be struggling and ensure that everyone on their team has the resources they need to thrive.

How Primary Freight Pays It Forward

For shippers considering how they can build a supply chain that reflects their values, investing in a relationship with an experienced, community-minded logistics provider can help. With Primary Freight, businesses can count on a trusted logistics expert that has invested in local food banks, supported disadvantaged families during times of need, and been there for its employees. 

With two-plus decades of experience in international shipping and logistics, Primary Freight has the infrastructure shippers need to serve their customers well. Our award-winning customer service team can work with you to develop a logistics solution specifically tailored to your needs and your unique growth goals. Plus, with a commitment to our community and our employees, Primary Freight can help you expand in a way that reflects your values. 

If you’d like to learn more about how Primary Freight’s award-winning shipping services, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.

Today’s shipping and logistics landscape is more complicated and fast-paced than ever before. With customers expecting fast and cheap delivery — as well as regular insights into the status of their orders — brick-and-mortar retailers, e-commerce companies, and everyone in between need to be sure that they have the capacity to fulfill orders on shorter and shorter timelines.

At no time of the year is this more important than during the holiday season. During these critical months, customers are increasingly demanding order fulfillment that puts companies’ shipping and logistics capacities to the test. Accordingly, supply chain managers and other professionals with a stake in the fulfillment process need to understand what consumers are expecting in order to meet those needs, go above and beyond their expectations, and secure their business this holiday season and beyond. 

Thankfully, a recent survey by Convey has provided insight into what shippers need to do to satisfy their customers during the holiday rush. As companies prepare for this peak season of business, they should also be considering how a third-party logistics partner (3PL) or integrated logistics services provider (ISP) can help them deliver the kind of service that their customers have come to expect. 

The Results of the Logistics Survey

Titled “Last Mile Delivery Wars: How to Keep Retail Promises and Win with Reliability,” Convey’s survey is based on conversations with 2,500 consumers throughout the United States. The results of the survey show a consumer marketplace in flux as more and more buyers come to think of fast and cheap delivery as a given in the fulfillment process. 

For example, 64.3% of respondents explained that costs are a deciding factor when it comes to holiday shipping. This was followed by speed at 18.7%, which was up from 9.7% the previous year. Additionally, Convey’s survey found that 28.6% of those they spoke with explained that a faster-estimated delivery date has a large impact on their decision of whether to buy from a certain vendor over another. 

Aside from speed and cost, the survey shows that consumers now expect to be a larger partner in the fulfillment process. That is, 98.3% of respondents want some kind of notification if an order won’t be arriving on time. With 38.6% of those surveyed explaining that late delivery is their primary concern during the holidays, keeping consumers updated has become a necessity for successful businesses.

What This Means for E-Commerce and Fulfillment

For e-commerce companies and other fulfillment stakeholders, the results of the Convey survey underscore the importance of getting delivery right. In fact, 72.7% of respondents said that a single poor delivery experience is enough to make dissuade them from ever doing business with a particular brand again. 

Accordingly, supply chain managers need to streamline their operations to minimize delays and provide customers with up-to-date information on the status of their orders. By boosting distribution center efficiency, resolving delivery bottlenecks quickly, and improve visibility at key junctures of the supply chain, shippers can give their patrons the kind of fulfillment experience that they demand if they’re to continue doing business.

How Primary Logistics Can Help This Holiday Season

As businesses prepare for the holiday rush, they need to ensure that their operations are ready for peak demand. While larger enterprises may have the resources to update their fulfillment infrastructure themselves, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) will need experienced industry partners to handle holiday season logistics without making costly capital investments themselves. With a 3PL or ISP, SMBs can get exactly this kind of support. 

With a proven track record of success in the shipping and logistics space, Primary Logistics has the expertise businesses need to deliver on customer expectations. Our fulfillment infrastructure has been tried and tested by businesses across a wide range of industries, making us a reliable partner for your fulfillment needs this holiday season and into the future. Whether you’re looking for a targeted solution to a specific logistics bottlenecks or a customized fulfillment solution, the team at Primary Logistics is ready to help your business excel. 

If you’d like to learn more about how award-winning shipping and logistics services from Primary Logistics and Primary Freight, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.

Born between 1980 and 2000, Millennials are coming into their own as workers and consumers. In fact, a study from the Pew Research Center shows that more than one out of every three American workers (35%) is a Millennial. As this generation makes up a greater and greater portion of the workforce, their purchasing power is set to increase as well, with Millennial spending set to reach $1.4 trillion by 2020. 

So how can companies tap into this growing consumer base? With 81.3% of Millennials shopping online at least once a month, businesses looking to adapt to this generation’s consumer behavior should consider how they can invest in their e-commerce operation. By meeting Millennials where they are and providing them with the kind of omni-channel experience they’ve come to expect, it’s possible to take advantage of a new generation of consumer spending. 

However, doing so is no small task. Building out an e-commerce supply chain — one that can meet the demands of Millennial consumers who have grown accustomed to the Amazon model of online shopping — calls for considerable infrastructure and logistics expertise. Thankfully, the right logistics providers can help growing businesses and e-commerce retailers deliver a reliable and transparent experience to Millennials customers. 

A New Generation of Consumer Behavior

While Millennials were the last generation of the 20th century, they’re also the first digital natives of the 21st. That’s to say they came of age with the internet, gaining a proficiency and familiarity with online interactions and digital tools naturally. As the e-commerce economy developed, Millennials developed as consumers along with it. 

This generation’s consumer behavior reflects that trajectory. Research shows that Millennials now make more than 54% of their purchases online and that 67% of them prefer to shop online rather than in-store. Additionally, most Millennials make their purchases on smart devices. Studies demonstrate that 32% of Millennials shop from their computers, 25% make purchases on their smartphones, and 24% do so on their tablets. 

Overall, these statistics underscore just how different Millennial consumer behavior is. While some still frequent brick-and-mortar stores, the majority look to e-commerce websites to make purchases and they tend to do so across a wide variety of devices and platforms. 

The Critical Role of Customer Service

For businesses looking to tap into their Millennial consumer base, it’s not just a matter of where and how they shop, but what they expect when they do it. Millennials put a lot of stock in their relationship with brands and look to build on those relationships over time. This means that these consumers expect a higher level of transparency throughout the purchasing and shipping process and that they want dedicated customer support should problems or questions arise. 

In fact, 60% of Millennials remain loyal to brands they purchase from and have good experiences with. Millennials are also more likely to share positive customer service experiences than negatives ones — a key opportunity for savvy businesses — while 74% would switch to a different retailer or brand if they had a negative customer service experience. 

Accordingly, e-commerce businesses should go the distance when it comes to customer service and transparency. Millennial customers desire visibility into the shipping process and want to be able to track their orders as they approach their delivery date. What’s more, they expect seamless communication with brands during the shipping process and quick resolution for any potential problems. 

How Logistics Providers Can Help

For e-commerce retailers and businesses looking to expand their online presence, Millennial consumer behavior presents strategic possibilities. However, taking advantage of this generation’s purchasing power depends on appealing to their unique consumer behavior. From streamlining the omni-channel experience across devices and platforms to investing in end-to-end customer service across at stage of the shipping process, meeting Millennial needs calls for sophisticated logistics expertise. 

While larger operations may have the resources to handle these needs in-house, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) likely need the support of an experienced third-party logistics partner (3PL) or integrated logistics services provider (ISP). By partnering with an outside industry expert, SMBs can leverage existing infrastructure and logistics relationships without having to make costly capital expenditures themselves. 

With a proven track record of success in the shipping and logistics space, Primary Logistics has the resources and expertise businesses need to excel in the e-commerce landscape. Between our award-winning customer service team and strategic logistics facilities located across the country, we’re uniquely equipped to help e-retailers meet the needs of online, omni-channel shoppers.

If you’d like to learn more about how award-winning shipping and logistics services from Primary Logistics and Primary Freight, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.