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In the new normal the world is currently living in, online retailers are feeling the pressure of keeping their doors open. Some businesses using eCommerce order fulfillment services through third-parties like Amazon fulfillment are experiencing difficulties completing orders of their nonessential products. Others are changing their merchandise altogether and many are having to temporarily close their doors. All online retailers, large and small, are making changes to the way they typically run business during the current pandemic.
Innovating the Customer Experience
In order to continue receiving an influx of orders, many online retailers are upgrading the customer purchasing experience. Increased communication has been essential for many of these businesses to continue fulfilling orders. Customers want to know how their favorite brands are doing and how they are supporting the community and their employees. Providing updates through live video chats, Q & A sessions, and even showcasing employees working from home has become a staple in providing transparency to loyal customers.
Evaluating Current Warehouse Fulfillment
Many retailers selling nonessential products have experienced shipping delays in the past month. Their fulfillment providers may not have the capacity to keep up with incoming inventory shipments or the ability to give nonessential orders priority. As a result, they are looking for alternative fulfillment methods. Some have turned to third-party providers with no shipping restrictions on nonessential products, such as Rakuten Super Logistics (RSL). With a nationwide network, RSL is still able to complete orders and give priority shipping for both essential and nonessential eCommerce businesses.
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Pushing the Pause Button
For those online retailers that have seen an extreme decline in their sales, hitting the pause button on sales has been the best choice. Taking a step back from new sales has required these businesses to implement certain changes on their websites and business plans. These include limiting site functionality of shopping carts, displaying banners or popups to alert users of their eCommerce business status, adjusting product availability, and updating Google about these temporary changes.
Although these additions are necessary, businesses are not shutting down their sites altogether. Per advice from Google, disabling your eCommerce website, even temporarily, could severely disrupt your business and cause future repercussions. It’s important to keep the line of communication open with customers and remain transparent.
Looking to the Future
While we face industry difficulties due to COVID-19, online retailers are taking this time to prepare for their success in the near future. How is your eCommerce business doing today and what is your vision for the coming year and beyond? Our team at Rakuten Super Logistics is here to support you—today and tomorrow.
Rakuten Super Logistics (RSL) is the leader in eCommerce order fulfillment services and freight brokerage. RSL offers national fulfillment services and a network of 15 US fulfillment centers located in Anaheim (CA), Atlanta (GA), Austin (TX), Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), Houston (TX), Las Vegas (NV), Olean (NY), Reno (NV), Salt Lake City (UT), and Scranton (PA). Their state-of-the-art technology allows for integration with popular shopping cart platforms and online marketplaces including Amazon, Big Commerce, Channel Advisor, eBay, Magento, ShipStation, Shopify, Volusion, Walmart Marketplace, and WooCommerce. RSL offers modern fulfillment solutions for leading eCommerce retailers focused on reducing shipping costs, improving order accuracy, decreasing shipping times, and increasing customer satisfaction.
How can we help you?
Contact us to request a quote and learn more about partnering with RSL to fulfill your eCommerce shipping needs.